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Basics of Essential Oils Part 3: Internal

“In France today, many medical doctors and hospitals prescribe essential oils as an alternative to antibiotic treatment, whereas in most other countries the idea of using natural aromatics as a form of medical treatment is still very radical.” As Julia Lawless pointed this out in her book The Complete Illustrated Guide to Aromatherapy in 1997, today aromatherapy for health is becoming so widespread worldwide that danger is rising due to misinformation about the safe and responsible use of essential oils.

While controversy remains regarding the internal use of essential oils, there is substantial proof that the safe internal use of essential oils—that administered and monitored under medical supervision—is indeed a highly effective and beneficial treatment to illness. It is important to note however that internal use of essential oils is a diagnosis for illness and not a fresh breath lozenge despite the marketing propaganda of many essential oil manufacturers.

D. Pénoel in his article This is also Aromatherapy in The International Journal of Aromatherapy, 1991, sited by S. Battaglia, states “that in the case of serious infections, the only way that aromatherapy can help is an internal, massive and repetitive aromatic treatment involving strong antimicrobial essential oils taken by oral ingestion every 20 minutes.” Battaglia goes on to say that Pénoel “suggests that within three days such an infection can be completely eliminated by such a treatment”. (Source: S. Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, Second Edition, The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy, 2003, p. 373)

Pénoel is not the only advocate for supervised internal use of essential oils. Julia Lawless says that “attitudes are beginning to change and plant medicines are being re-evaluated using modern research techniques.” (Source: Julia Lawless, The Complete Illustrated Guide to Aromatherapy, Element Books, 1997, p. 88)

Len Price comments in Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, that he and his co-editor Shirley Price “have used essential oils in this way [internally] for three decades for sore throats, stomach upsets, cystitis and constipation, with no reported adverse effects.”

He further remarks that “the potential effectiveness of essential oils can be increased because the digestive system extends from the mouth to the anus. The digestive system is the source of many skin, lung and ENT [ear, nose and throat] problems and aromatherapy can have useful effects when administered in this way, and an aromatherapy treatment should, on occasion, include a blend for the digestive route.” (Source: Shirley Price, Len Price, Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, Fourth Edition, Elselvier, 2012, p. 136)

Franchomme and Pénoel observe that “oral intake remains a major route in serious aromatherapy treatments, in particular with regard to action on the intestinal flora.” (Source: Shirley Price, Len Price, Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, Fourth Edition, Elselvier, 2012, p. 137)

In terms of adverse affects of internal use of essential oils, Battaglia sites Tisserand and Balacs, Essential Oil Safety, 1995 noting the following disadvantages:

  • Possibility of nausea and vomiting
  • Irritation of the gastrointestinal tract
  • Much of the essential oil will be metabolised by the liver
  • Destruction of the essential oil constituents by stomach acidity or enzymes in the intestines.

(Source: S. Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, Second Edition, The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy, 2003, p. 373)

Despite these disadvantages, or cautions, the benefits of internal use of essential oils continues to be documented. Julia Lawless reminds us that “many modern medications can have harmful side effects and that growing numbers of bacteria are becoming resistant to once successful synthetic medications”. (Source: Julia Lawless, The Complete Illustrated Guide to Aromatherapy, Element Books, 1997, p. 88)

Not only this, but “repetitive antibiotic treatments and some food diets cause an imbalance in the intestinal flora and essential oils serve to redress this.” (Source: Shirley Price, Len Price, Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, Fourth Edition, Elselvier, 2012, p. 136)


Cautions for internal use of essential oils

Understanding that essential oils can be taken internally, what can we do to ensure maximum safety and minimum risk in this method of application? Here are five safety tips for you to consider before internal use of essential oils.

Safety Tip 1: Only a qualified medical aromatherapist (aromatologist) can recommend ingestion of essential oils.

“The International Federation of Aromatherapists Australia Code of Ethics states that: no aromatherapist shall use essential oils for internal ingestion or internal application nor shall any aromatherapist advocate or promote such use of essential oils unless the practising aromatherapist has medical, naturopathic, herbalist or similar qualifications and holds an insurance policy which specifically covers the internal application of essential oils.” (Source: IFA Code of Ethics, Simply Essential, No. 11, December 1993, S. Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, Second Edition, The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy, 2003, p. 373)

Safety Tip 2: When ingestion of essential oils is recommended by a qualified medical aromatherapist, ensure your therapy is regularly monitored by them and adjusted according to your reactions.

Safety Tip 3: Knowledge of the constituents of the essential oils is paramount when essential oils are taken orally.

Your treating practitioner must know the contraindications of each essential oil they are diagnosing as well as be equipped to determine the strength of their concentration and the best diluents to be used in the application.

“Alcohol and honey water are the most usual diluents (Valnet 1980), though vegetable oils (such as hazelnut and olive oils) are excellent for this purpose.” (Source: Shirley Price, Len Price, Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, Fourth Edition, Elselvier, 2012, p. 136)

Essential oils are not lozenges and therefore should not be treated as such. Essential oils should be thoroughly mixed with the diluent before taking internally to allow dispersion of the essential oil. Taking essential oils neat internally is not recommended and can cause irritation to the mucous lining.

“Some essential oils have an unpleasant odour, some taste quite bitter, and some may irritate the mucous lining; for this reason essential oils to be taken by mouth are frequently put into capsules.” (Source: Shirley Price, Len Price, Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, Fourth Edition, Elselvier, 2012, p. 137)

Safety Tip 4: Essential oils should not be ingested long term. They are recommended to be taken internally for treatment of specific illnesses or health issues under medical supervision.

Your medical aromatherapist should be qualified to determine how long the treatment they are recommending should take. “Ingestion continued for too long can eventually lead to toxic build-up in the liver.” (Source: Shirley Price, Len Price, Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, Fourth Edition, Elselvier, 2012, p. 136)

Safety Tip 5: Despite the labelling of some essential oils as GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) for ingestion, do not take essential oils internally without the proper medical treatment and certainly do not take essential oils internally if you are pregnant and do not give to children or the elderly.

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