Safety First

 

Below is a list of how to use herbs and essential oils in a safe manner. It is not a complete list as I could have forgotten something or something might come up in scientific studies that needs to be added. If in doubt at all, it is best to check with your healthcare provider before using herbs or essential oils.

 

Herbs

  • If you take any medications, whether it’s prescription or over-the-counter, it is best to check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
  • If pregnant or nursing, it is recommended to use herbs that you eat/ cook with (i.e. garlic or adding dandelion greens to your salad). However, check with your doctor to be on the safe side.
  • If you are taking medication, do not take the herbal equivalent. For example, if you are taking high blood pressure medication, do not take an herb that’s known to help with high blood pressure or if you are taking antibiotics, do not take an herb or natural health equivalent of an antibiotic. It is too hard on the body. It is best to choose nutritive or supporting herbs.
  • Just because an herb is natural does not mean that it’s safe. There are herbs that are considered nutritive and generally safe. There are others that are more specific and cause a reaction in the body (for example senna). It’s possible for these to have side effects. Finally, there are herbs that have a low therapeutic margin (or LTM). This means that the difference between a therapeutic dose and a lethal dose is very small. These should only be used by your healthcare provider.
  • If you have allergies, it is best to research the herbs you want to take so that you don’t have an allergic reaction. Chamomile is in the same botanical family as ragweed so if you have an allergy to ragweed you might want to avoid Chamomile. However, after doing your research you decide to take them, it is recommended to start out with a small dose.
  • When buying herbs, always check the Latin binomial name to make sure that you’re using the right one. Many herbs have the same common name. For example, two plants have the common name Pot Marigold. One has the Latin binomial name Tagetes spp. and the other binomial name is Calendula officinalis. It is Calendula that is therapeutically useful.
  • Many weeds in your yard are therapeutically useful. However, if you choose to use them. First and foremost, be absolutely positive they haven’t been sprayed with pesticides and/or fertilizer. Second, many herbs look alike. You should check 3 field sources to make sure that they all describe the plant the same way.

 

Essential Oils

  • If you are pregnant or nursing, it is best to avoid essential oils. However if you choose to use them, check with your healthcare provider and use an experienced certified aromatherapist.
  • Do not take essential oils internally.
  • Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil such as olive oil, jojoba, or almond oil before applying.
  • Some essential oils cannot be used if you are taking certain medications. Examples include: Clove essential oil should not be used with anticoagulant medications, Eucalyptus essential oil should be avoided with barbiturates, and Peppermint essential oil is a calcium channel blocker. Always do your research on an essential oil if you are taking medication.
  • Essential oils can cause irritation, sensitivity, or an allergic reaction. Each person is different. It is recommended to perform a skin patch test first before applying all over the body. To do this, apply a small amount of the product (about the size of a quarter) to the forearm and wait 24 hours to see if there is a reaction.
  • Most of the citrus essential oils are phototoxic. This means if you apply and go out into the sun it can cause a severe burn or permanent skin discoloration. Avoid the sun for 9-12 hours after applying phototoxic essential oils.
  • If you get an essential oil in your eyes, use either milk or olive oil, something that is fat soluble to dilute it. Do not use water! Oil and water don’t mix.
  • Essential oils are flammable so keep away from sources of heat.
  • Keep essential oils away from children.

 

Flower Essences

  • Flower essences work on a vibration level much like homeopathic remedies. They are non-toxic. However, most of them are preserved with alcohol such as brandy or vodka so if you are allergic or have a problem, make sure to look for flower essences preserved with glycerin.