ESSENTIAL OILS CAN BE DANGEROUS

If you have thought about using essential oils for various purposes, you must have come across a few myths, and "facts" that you didn't know were true. Nowadays, on the Internet and social media, many individuals claim that something is this way or that way, and they don't really consider the scientific background of what they are talking about.


When it comes to myths related to the use of essential oils, there are so many of them that it is challenging to recognize what is and is not valid. That's why we're here to guide you through the most common myths that circulate on the Internet, which are not actually true.


Although being adequately informed about the use of essential oils may sound excessive, it makes sense. Everyone, novice or professional, knows that essential oils can be used for different purposes. However, many beginners do not know some basic things about essential oils, as we witness examples where people buy oils based solely on the smell without looking at all the other ways they can use the oil.

Also, it is essential to know what kind of oils you use. It is crucial to understand how to distinguish an artificial aroma from a natural extract and to find real lavender instead of lavender. All this information is important because essential oils are there to make your life easier and have a positive effect on your skin and body, and for such results, it is necessary to have accurate and verified information.

That's why we bring you the most famous myths about essential oils, followed by an explanation of why the myth is wrong.

MYTH #1 YOU SHOULD TAKE ESSENTIAL OILS ORALLY EVERY DAY TO PREVENT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BAD HEALTH CONDITION

Some individuals believe that essential oils can solve many health problems. While this is partly true, in terms of helping alleviate some health problems, no professional or scientist will advise you to consume them orally.


If you read somewhere on the Internet that you should take essential oils orally, know that this person is not sharing reliable and verified information. It would help if you didn't do this for several reasons, each potentially causing health problems.


Essential oils are often powerful, and their consumption is not recommended. Some advise putting a few drops of oil in a glass of water or even directly on the tongue. Don't do that.


Improper intake of essential oils can lead to severe damage to the digestive tract and liver. In addition, if you use essential oils orally, you are exposed to a much higher risk of neurological health consequences such as various seizures, dizziness, and in more severe cases, loss of consciousness.


Also, if we look at the scientific side, let's remember that water and oil do not mix; combining them into a whole is impossible.


When you drop some essential oil into water, it will not spread but will float on its surface. Additionally, if you drink critical oil in combination with water, be aware that the essential oil will likely irritate the tissues in your mouth and throat, increasing the risk of tissue irritation, injury, and even long-term damage.


We will add one bizarre but excellent example at the end. Do you take ibuprofen daily to prevent headaches?

MYTH #2 ESSENTIAL OILS CAN BE USED ETERNALLY SINCE THEY DON'T HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE

We would love to tell you that essential oils do not have an expiration date, but the truth is that they do. Although they won't spoil like we're used to with other products, essential oils will change over time. This change begins as soon as you open the actual oil bottle for the first time.

Oxidation begins as soon as you open a new bottle or container containing essential oils, and the oil comes into contact with oxygen. The oxidation process includes changes in oxygen bonds between cells to carbon bonds, and thus, the product begins to spoil.


In addition to contact with oxygen, essential oils are negatively affected by exposure to light and heat, due to which oil composition begins to change. This is why essential oils are most often packaged in amber-colored bottles, which are darker than ordinary glass and provide better protection against ultraviolet light.


Although it is almost impossible to judge whether an essential oil has gone wrong, there are some estimates. For example, the lemon essential oil and sweet orange is suitable for one to two years. Tea tree essential oil should be used within two or three years, while for eucalyptus and lavender essential oil, the estimate goes from three to four years. The last category is four to five years, including essential oils such as peppermint.

The bottom line is that you should not use essential oil that you suspect is no longer good. Maybe you can use it for cleaning, but never put it in contact with the skin.

MYTH #3 ESSENTIAL OILS ARE SAFE BECAUSE THEY ARE NATURAL 

This is another popular myth that is not true. Essential oils are safe, but only if used properly. More precisely, you do not consume them directly on the skin or put them in the body without having previously studied well enough how and whether it is wise to do so.


This is because essential oils are highly concentrated botanical products that must be used wisely and thoughtfully. They are approximately 75-100 times more robust than the whole plant and are, therefore, more potent and can harm you if not used correctly. Remember, knowing how to use oils to achieve positive effects for your body and skin is essential.


We cannot stress enough that essential oils can be used safely and effectively, but only with the correct information and proper education. Precisely because some oils can help with, for example, headaches or be used for inhalation, but before choosing an oil, you will undoubtedly research which oil is good and for what purposes it should be used.

MYTH #4 IF YOU'RE USING ESSENTIAL OILS ON YOUR SKIN AND IT'S CAUSING A RASH OR BURN, IT'S JUST YOUR BODY DETOXING 

If you use essential oils and experience any of the above skin irritations, stop using the essential oil immediately. In this case, it is best to immediately clean the area and prevent further use.


In this case, it should be emphasized that there are several reasons why irritation occurs, but we definitely advise you not to use the mentioned oil on your skin.


Some possible reasons the body reacts badly to the oil are the amount of oil applied, the concentration or dilution of the oil, the frequency of use, the duration of use, and the like. If you already want to use the oil directly on the skin, we advise you to apply it to a small area first and see if you have any reaction.


In addition to applying the oil to a part of the skin, be sure to read in several sources how to use a particular oil, in what quantity and in which areas to get the best effect. Please do not do it yourself because, as we mentioned earlier, essential oils are powerful and can cause different skin reactions and, in the worst cases, injuries.

MYTH #5 SPECIFIC ESSENTIAL OILS AND RECIPES COMBINED WITH ESSENTIAL OILS ARE THE ONLY WAY TO TREAT CERTAIN CONDITIONS

Although we wish this myth were true, it is not. Just as we will not all treat a cold in the same way, we will not treat other health problems in the same way. Essential oils won't cure you but they can help you feel better.

When using essential oils properly, especially for health purposes, you have to consider many elements when preparing a recipe or product mix for a problem that is bothering you. For example, specific essential oils are great for inhalation, which is undoubtedly helpful during the fall and winter months when we are sicker. But you will not solve the cold only thanks to essential oils.

Before you dare to use essential oils, carefully study their purpose and for what purposes you can best use them to benefit you and your household.

For now, you may still only be using a diffuser where you put drops of oil that smells good to you, but with the correct information and knowledge, essential oils can be much more than just a means of making your living room smell good.