Essential Oils Safety Guidelines
Young Living essential oils are cultivated to be as pure and potent as possible. We strongly recommend you read individual label instructions and the following guidelines to ensure safe use of essential oils:
- Many essential oils are safe to use directly on the skin, but in some cases dilution with a carrier oil may be strongly recommended. On a general note, essential oils should be stored in a cool, dark place and away from sunlight. Please keep also away pets and children as you would do with any other product.
Click here to read "Topical and Oral Administration of Essential Oils - Safety Issues" - The aperture located in the oil bottle opening helps you follow correct dosages. It also helps prevent small children from accidentally swallowing large amounts of essential oil. If you suspect that a child has consumed a quantity of oil, give them milk and seek medical advice.
- When applying a new oil, test 1 drop on a small patch of skin first (e.g., on the underside of the forearm). Skin sensitivity is highly individual. If the skin feels hot or turns red, apply a vegetable oil (V-6™ or olive) to the area to dilute. Washing the area with water is less effective.
- Use only one new oil at a time to determine how your body responds. Wait 30 minutes before applying another new oil.
- Certain oils may sting the eyes and other sensitive areas. Essential oil residue on the fingers may damage contact lenses or cause eye discomfort. If accidental stinging does occur, put 1–2 drops of pure vegetable oil into the eye.
- Do not put essential oils directly into the ears.
- Pure citrus oils may compound the effects of sun exposure. Limit prolonged exposure to direct sunlight for up to 12 hours (up to 24 hours for angelica and lime; up to 48 hours for bergamot) after applying these undiluted essential oils to the skin (see orange-dot oils on the application chart in the Everyday Essentials brochure).
- Avoid using essential oils on skin that has been damaged or affected by chemical burns.
- When adding essential oils to a bath, first mix 5–10 drops of essential oil to any Young Living Bath & Shower Gel or any bath salt and then add to running water.
- Limit the diffusion of unfamiliar essential oils to 10 minutes/day, increasing the time after determining their effects. The length of time should depend on the size of the room and potency of the oils (see application chart in the Everyday Essentials brochure).
- See individual label directions or check with a health professional before using essential oils if you have a serious medical condition or are pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant. DO NOT use wild tansy, clary sage, sage, fennel, wintergreen, or hyssop during pregnancy.
- Consult a health professional about any serious disease or injury. DO NOT attempt to self-diagnose or prescribe any natural substances for conditions that require professional attention.
Click here to read "Topical and Oral Administration of Essential Oils - Safety Issues"