Safety With Essential Oils

Essential oils are highly fragrant, volatile oils that are extracted from the flowers, leaves and other parts of plants. Essential oils generally go by the name of the plant from which they were extracted. For instance, lavender essential oil comes from lavender and sandalwood essential oil comes from sandalwood. Essential oils have several properties which make them extremely useful for hair and skin care. For instance, grapefruit essential oil (scientific name Citrus x paradisi) has been found to stimulate hair growth, french lavender essential oil (scientific name Lavandula angustifolia) has been found to help combat dandruff, and tea tree essential oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) has been found to help clear up acne.

Essential oils are extremely potent. Having an essential oil is like having a concentrated liquid form of that plant. Because essential oils are so strong, you should be sure to follow the following safety precautions before using them:

1)Keep all essential oils out of the reach of children. Some essential oils can have harmful or fatal effects if ingested.

2)Don't apply any undiluted essential oil to your skin unless you know that it is safe to do so. Some essential oils (such as cloves and cinnamon) can be extremely irritating to the skin.

3) If you are pregnant, or seeking to become so, check with your doctor before experimenting with any essential oils.

4) Wait to go out in the sun if you plan to wear any product that contains a citrus essential oil. The citrus oils (bergamot, lemon, lime, sweet orange, mandarin, tangerine, grapefruit, etc.) make the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light. They can cause rashes or a temporary darkening of the skin, if they are on your skin and you are exposed to strong sunlight.

5) If you are in a state of delicate health, consult your physician before using essential oils.

If you follow these safety precautions, working with essential oils will be a pleasant experience.

Copyright 2005, Ololade Franklin.

Ololade Franklin publishes Making Good Scents(TM), the newsletter of handcrafted cosmetics, soaps and perfumes. For information about Making Good Scents(TM) visit http://www.MakingGoodScents.com

Commercial Tanning Beds: An Overview

Commercial tanning beds come in two basic formats. Horizontal tanning... Read More

The Art Of Perfume Notes - What Are They?

When people hear the word 'notes' they often say "yeah... Read More

The Advantages of Sunless Tanning Booths

While many people recall seemingly endless hours outdoors soaking up... Read More

Botox Injections: A Closer Look

Just about everyone has, at one time or another, heard... Read More

Short Hair Style? Make It Stylish, Sexy, and Chic

In all of its transformations and variations, the short hair... Read More

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) Who Do They Benefit?

IN WHICH CASES ARE AHA RECOMMENDED?* Hyperkeratinization (increased accumulation of... Read More

10 Important Sunless Tanning Safety Tips

If you are a sunless tanner, your skin's health is... Read More

Dental Implants in New York

With many well-known specialists living and working in the area,... Read More

Frequently Asked Questions About Permanent Makeup

Frequently Asked Questions About Permanent CosmeticsQ2) What is the recovery... Read More

Hair Styles - How To Get The Most Flattering Hair Style

Do you ever wake up in the morning, look in... Read More

For All Those Beginners: How Do I Put On Make-Up?

It is very important to start with a clean slate.... Read More

Skin Care Home Remedies

Natural homemade recipes for your skin are simple to make... Read More

Rhinoplasty Facility Costs

No matter where the doctor and the anesthesiologist are going... Read More

If Youre Not Born With It, You Can Just Buy It!

Ring! Ring! Ring!Customer Service Center: Hello, Thank you for calling... Read More

My Teeth are Now Zoom! Whitened

Let me tell you about my Zoom Whitening experience. For... Read More

Help Prevent Wrinkles Through Diet

How many times has your mother told you, you are... Read More

Lip Magic: Tips for Lips

As we get older our lips get smaller and thinner... Read More

Face Off

The other day, I indulged in one of my many... Read More

Easy Lotion For Your Skin

Years ago, I found out how incredible easy it is... Read More

The Ultimate Beauty Tip: Good Posture

When you think of projecting a professional image, do you... Read More

Testimonials on Permanent Makeup

Testimonials on Permanent MakeupI first thought about getting permanent eyeliner... Read More

Makeup Tip: Beautiful Eyes

Eyes have been called the windows of the soul because... Read More

What the Peat Bog People Can Tell Us About Beauty

Over the past centuries, remains of many hundreds of people--... Read More

A Beautiful Skin is Every Man and Womans Dream!

She was so upset that day. She could not concentrate... Read More

New Hair Styles for 2005 - Summer Hair Trend

A variety of hair styles, colors, and trends are growing... Read More