Saturday, March 16, 2013

Can Essential Oils Be Taken Internally?

 
A few essential oils companies promote taking essential oils internally, even marketing gel capsules to make your own supplements.  Here are a few thoughts on the subject:

*ALL documented cases of death by essential oils are cases where the oils were taken internally and the individual overdosed.  That being said, I have been known to brush my teeth with a drop of oil or place oil on a caker sore or toothache.  These are situations that are rare.  Never long term. I do not condone the use of taking oils internally, especially when taken long term or in a capsule.  It is too easy to overdose.

*Essential oils are absorbed VERY quickly into the skin.  When EO's are taken internally in a capsule, you must wait for the capsule to dissolve, thereby delaying the benefit of the oils.

*If you have a reaction to EO's externally, you can simply apply more carrier oil to lessen the negative effects.  If you have a reaction when oils are taken internally, there is nothing you can do to lessen the negative effects on your sensitive internal organs.   

*While there have been no studies on the effects of stomach acid on essential oils, we do know that heat reduces the quality, and therefore the healing properties, of essential oils. 

*Most medications are time realeased.  This means that when you take a pill the medication is slowly released, allowing the effects to last for 8 hours or so.  This is not the case with essential oils.  The bennefits are seen immidiatly.  Since the oils are not time released, taking them internally can shock your system resulting in many unpleasant side effects.  Mild effects of this are fever, diarrhea, vomiting, upset stomach, headache etc.  Severe side effects include death.
  
Essential oils may be applied topically as needed throughout the day. One will receive significantly better results by applying 2-4 drops topically every few hours rather than taking a capsule with 20 drops in one shot. 

There is no substitute for common sense.  Please treat your essential oils with respect.  Do your homework.  Start out with a low dose and slowly increase it to see what your tolleration level is.

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