Has anyone ever ingested essential oils? I know that they can be dangerous in large quantities, but I'm wondering about something more to the scale of putting a drop of Grapefruit into a bottle of water. I have a friend (who works in Aromatherapy) who does this and suggested it - probably because she knows I'm responsible.
Have any of you tried this? I'm also curious as to others opinions on the healing properties of this oil. I would love some input...
Blessings!
Have any of you tried this? I'm also curious as to others opinions on the healing properties of this oil. I would love some input...
Blessings!
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Vancouver
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Re: Ingesting Oils
Sun, February 11, 2007 - 10:43 PMI've only ever ingested peppermint essential oil -- a drop or two in a glass of water as a cure for upset stomach. Opinion in the aromatherapy community seems to be sharply divided as to whether anyone other than a licensed practitioner should be allowed to dispense oils for ingestion.
My recommendation would be to research thoroughly how the oil you want to ingest is metabolized by your system. Some are relatively harmless taken through the skin or lungs, but may have other effects taken through the GI system. Not an expert myself. -
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Re: Ingesting Oils
Mon, February 12, 2007 - 3:11 PMIn australia here it's illegal to prescrbe Essential oils internally, but Iv heard in France they can do it. I do it anyway on my self, I use Essential oils internally for many different issues, womens issues, Iv found lavender essential oil on Tampon (organic cotton of course) lavender is also used to line my nostrils with a cotton bud, when Im going to a place of pollution or around sick ppl, or if feeling down. When it comes to ingesting oils, I only do it with a carrier oil and or large quantities of water, in a bottle of drinking water 1-2 drops of Lemon, orange, mint, chamomile, shaken vigorously and drunk quickly afterwards, always shake before drinking to disperse. Another way especially for stronger oils is to take with other oils, Flaxseed oil is a good healthy one, thyme and myrrh good for sore throats, gargling or swish the oil mixture around in mouth until it's mixed in with saliva, swallow if you can, I have used sandle wood australian for throat issues also.
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Re: Ingesting Oils
Sun, February 18, 2007 - 11:05 PMI have heard of people taking some oils internally in a carrier w/in a geletin capsule...this insures that the oils get to your stomach where they can be digested and taken into your blood stream, and not burn your throat and do any damage on the way down.
Most schools in the United States don't teach how to use essential oils internally. I heard about this method from a woman who used to work with Yound Living...she still uses this method on her entire family.
~K -
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Re: Ingesting Oils
Tue, February 20, 2007 - 6:55 AMi take some oils internally with some water. it is really helpful when i feel like i am coming down with something, it seems to knock it right out. -
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Re: Ingesting Oils
Tue, February 27, 2007 - 3:19 AMMy as of yet uneducated opinion is that taking essentials by mouth is probably the most effective for acute disorders such as stomach aches etc. Our course teacher dropped a few peppermint drops down his throat after lunch one day, proving to us that it was perfectly safe, he did mention that it stung a little though...
We have learnt about the different schools of aromatherapy on my course, and the one you might be interested in is aptly called clinical aromatherapy! French doctors have been prescribing essential oils by mouth for many years, so I would suggest getting advice from someone trained in clinical aromatherapy!
Good luck with it! -
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Re: Ingesting Oils
Tue, February 27, 2007 - 7:40 AMI was trained in clinical aromatherapy and even the purest oils could cause serious harm. There are some oils that are safer, like terpenless lavander and tea tree but even then it is not reccomended to take them internally, not even my teacher would consider doign that othe than in an emergency when there is no other way. I would only do so in an extreme case, such a throat infection etc. and even then I would only gargle... Not drink the solution... If you are going to go ahead and ingest them anyway remember not to exceed MINIMAL dosage... Before I was trained I decided to flavour my water with peppermint.. Peppermint is known to help with brining on a woman's menses... Well I had mine for 2 weeks straight and have had a sensititvity to peppermint ever since... The best and safest way to use them, is by inhalation! -
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Re: Ingesting Oils
Tue, February 27, 2007 - 7:50 AMOne more thing, I am not saying that it can not be done, every individual can asses their own reactions to various substances... But to prevent any harm, ingesting oils should not be done without any information,on a little child if ingested some oils are lethal even ! Essential oils are very powerful, plants produce them to fight off pests among other things, so while they can be very healing and helpful with killing off microbes and bacteria the desired effects can easily be achieved by inhaling them, the oxygen will deliver the effective molecules to your blood stream, no need to put your stomach through that! Get a diffuser !
As for grapefruit, in general it is very uplifiting, great against depression and also it can either stimulate or subdue the appettite, depending on the person. Hope this helps! -
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Re: Ingesting Oils
Tue, February 27, 2007 - 11:47 PMI agree with you Kiarah, and thats probably why in australia we r not allowed to pescribe essential oils internally, I have been clinincally trained aromatherapist also, and I know my body very well, but would not tell others to do it, altho I know others who do. And I do from time to time, sounds interesting about your peppermint reaction, I only ever dilute it, but I know ppl who take it straight. Peppermint oil is often prescibed for stomach issues flatulence/bad digestion but then again it in capsules generally. -
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Re: Ingesting Oils
Wed, February 28, 2007 - 3:57 AMI think it is very wise of the aussies not to prescribe them for internal use. In north america it is also not done, can you imagine the law suits???!!!
I took a 6 month clinical aromatherapy course and I am so glad that I did... Like many people, I used to just go by the online symptoms lists and use the oils very casually, meanhwile all these lists contradict themselves.. Using essential oils can be down right dangerous, Citrus oils for example, can cause severe permanent skin damage if apllied before sun exposure... Now if I read there is bergamot in a body lotion I avoid it. It may be over caution, but there is nopthing worse than irritated skin, I am allergic to poison Ivey and know what it means to suffer! That right there should prove how powerful anything "plant" related can be.. Just because it is natural, doesn't make it harmless, our greatest medicines are natural! There is very steep learning curve and my suggestionis to treat the oils with "respect" do not over do it, and one or two drops too many can be over doing it even when it comes to skin application, let alone ingestion... Study up if you plan on using them.
My reaction happened because istead of 2-3 drops my dropper was loose and several drops ended up in my water, I was uneducated at the time and didn't want to waste it, I figured it would just be extra minty and decided to drink it anyway... Now just smelling peppermint can make me menstruate (ok it has to be a permeating smell to have that effect and I actually do still use peppermint in a diffuser to brign it on). -
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Re: Ingesting Oils
Sat, March 3, 2007 - 3:03 PMI think the internal use of essential oils is of great benefit to us all, but the educated and controlled dosage is the most important part, for 1-2 drop is very powerful and any more if you dont know what your doing could be dangerous. Law suits sure I agree, society is becoming more litigious, I did a full time course for 1 year on aromatherapy, and over the years still am learning more about it, by reading different books ect, plus the last 2 years Iv been a full-time student of Western herbal medicine which ties in with the aromatherapy, but also has much the same risks associated, except that Im allowed to precribe internally, which is scary but the training iv recieved and am still recieving is class, high education. I agree that natures medicines r very powerful, and one needs many years of study to have reasonable enough knowledge to actually safely prescribe, but even then, there is always risk, as we are all individuals and react differently to life. -
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Re: Ingesting Oils
Tue, September 4, 2007 - 7:00 AMMost of what I've read has been against ingesting oils, some have written about personal use but as with most countries here in the uk you can not prescribe internal use. I have read that it has been done on France but their training is different. I have on a couple of occasional used 1 drop of sandalwood in honey when I've have really bad chest/coughs. I would not recommend that to a client as the risk is my own to take.
As I've mentioned I've read some recipes about using a drop of peppermint or bergamot in pots of tea - sounds vile to me, I'd much rather pick a couple of fresh leaves tbh. -
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Unsu...
Re: Ingesting Oils
Tue, September 4, 2007 - 4:39 PMI've read books saying that some oils are ok to ingest,while others are lethal and toxic.I prefer to aviod it alltogether.The only time I've only used essenstial oils topically is when mixed with unscented lotion,etc.And that was only those that were safest.Some oils I can't even tolerate in a diffuser,rosewood is a prime example,it made me really moody,irritable and werid acting.What some books mention is that people with certain allergies or health problems shouldn't use certain oils,something couldn't be stressed enough.What may smell good,may be extremely toxic to the wrong person.That is a risk not worth taking in my opinion. -
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Re: Ingesting Oils
Fri, September 14, 2007 - 12:47 AMInteresting post, recently iv been experimenting with hydrosols internally, which the french also use, but they are alot safer. One should not foolishly do anything, be careful of everything.:) There are good books on the subject, for professional aromatherapists seems to be quite a growing practice.:) -
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Unsu...
Re: Ingesting Oils
Sat, October 6, 2007 - 11:54 AMSarah,there's a book by Jeanne Rose called "The Aromatherapy Book:Applications and Inhalations" that might be worth checking out.I liked how it was written and how it described each oil,possible allergic reactions,what it should be taken for and how much for which ailment,etc.What it can help and conversely warnings about use with certain conditions.I really enjoyed it.
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Re: Ingesting Oils
Thu, January 10, 2008 - 10:57 AMI have been ingesting essential oil of lemon, grapefruit, orange, fennel, peppermint
in Kangen water as an alternative to drinking alcohol at social gatherings,
which makes me sick.
I have been ingesting essential oils in water for years and I feel it has
saved me from catching colds and flu bugs. My throat had always
been a weak place for me and I believe the oils keep me from ever
getting a sore throat. But that is my body and constitution.
