Aromatherapy is a helpful complementary treatment for many common conditions and ailments. It serves as a useful adjunct to conventional medicine and is a versatile therapy that can be used for therapeutic, practical and cosmetic purposes.
If applied carefully and competently, essential oils can enhance your physical health and emotional wellbeing. This means using essential oils that are suitable for you, with a sensible dilution and appropriate method of use.
However, there are some contraindications to aromatherapy and aromamassage (massage using essential oils) of which you should be aware. If you have any of the contraindications listed below, it is always advisable that you seek professional medical advice from your doctor before using aromatherapy.
Contraindications to Aromatherapy:
The following conditions indicate that specific precautions should be taken before receiving aromatherapy treatment:
- Pregnancy
- Heart disease
- Circulatory problems
- High or low blood pressure
- Varicose veins
- Pacemaker
- Haemophilia
- Taking anti-coagulants
- Cancer
- Recent operations or injuries
- Severe skin complaints or conditions
- Epilepsy
- Asthma
- Allergies (including nut allergies)
- Diabetes
- Thyroid problems
If you have any of the above contraindications, this does not mean that you cannot use aromatherapy - simply that you should use it with more care. For example, certain essential oils could worsen your condition or interfere with medications from your doctor. Whereas, the right choice of essential oils could complement treatments you are already receiving and help to improve your overall feeling of wellbeing. Consulting your doctor and a qualified professional aromatherapy practitioner will help you to select a choice of essential oils that are safe for you to use.
Which Essential Oils Should I Avoid?
There are hundreds of essential oils available for use in the repertoire of a professional aromatherapist. A website could easily be created dedicated to listing all those that are hazardous or unsuitable for use for specific conditions. An authoritative source already exists on the subject: Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs, Essential Oil Safety. A Guide for Health Care Professionals.
For home use it is easier to list those essential oils that are safe to use for certain conditions.
Pregnancy
The evidence-base for which essential oils are safe to use in pregnancy and when to use them often conflicts. Research is ongoing and can be confused with anecdotal "evidence." However, most aromatherapy sources advise that pregnant women should avoid using essential oils during the first trimester; it is also advised to avoid nut- and seed-based carrier oils during pregnancy as a precaution against allergies.
The essential oils below are included among those safe to use during pregnancy: (1)
- Chamomile
- Geranium
- Ginger
- Lavender
- Neroli
- Palmarosa
- Petitgrain
- Rose
- Rosewood
- Sandalwood
For Sensitive, Damaged Or Diseased Skin avoid or use with caution: (1,2)
- Angelica
- Black pepper
- Cinnamon leaf
- Citronella
- Clove
- Ginger
- Lemon
- Lemongrass
- Lemon verbena
- Orange
- Nutmeg
- Peppermint
- Citronella
- Clove
- Eucalyptus
- Lemongrass
- May chang
- Melissa
- Thyme
For Cancer, avoid: (1)
- Anise
- Basil
- Fennel
- Myrtle
- Nutmeg
Epilepsy Or Fever avoid: (1,2)
- Camphor (white)
- Lavender cotton
- Lavender stoechas
- Spanish sage
- Sweet fennel
- Rosemary
Photosensitivity
Certain oils can also cause photosensitive reactions after use and should be avoided if you are going to be exposed to strong sunlight or will be using a sunbed within 48 hours following treatment. (1) These oils include: (1)
- Angelica root
- Bergamot
- Grapefruit
- Lemon
- Lime
- Rue
These lists are not exhaustive. For contraindications that are not provided with a list of essential oils safe to use here, you should contact a qualified clinical aromatherapist for a consultation and discuss his or her recommendations with your doctor.
Sources:
- Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs. 'Essential Oil Safety. A Guide for Health Care Professionals'. London: Elsevier Limited, 1995.
- Patricia Davis. 'Aromatherapy an A-Z'. London: Vermilion, 2004.
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