Aromatherapy Contra-Indications Chart

Aromatherapy is normally safe unless the essential oils are used inappropriately. The cautions and contra-indications provided below are based on the premise that if the properties suggest harm then the contra-indication or caution is applied. Better to be safe than injure one person in a million. Only when scientific tests confirm the safety of an identified essential oil will it be removed from the list. This is not a fear-based approach, but a common sense, safety oriented approach!

Carrier Oils Contra-Indications Chart

Condition/Do Not Use

Irritates skin/rash: Coconut Oil, Linseed Oil
May promote skin burning: Coconut Oil
Pregnancy: Evening Primrose Oil
Stains clothing: Carrot Oil, Wheat Germ Oil
Strong smell: Castor Oil, Carrot Oil, Olive Oil

Essential Oils Contra-Indications Chart

Condition/Do Not Use

Alcohol: Clary Sage
Allergy - sensitive skin: Linden blossom
Aroma - bad: Amyris, Cumin, Fennel and Marjoram combined
Blood pressure, raises: Eucalyptus, Hyssop, Rosemary, Thyme
Blood pressure, lowers: Clary Sage, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram, Melissa, Ylang Ylang
Cancer: Anise 2.5%, Basil (low estragole 2%), Fennel (bitter) 1.5%, Fennel (sweet) 2%, Ho Leaf 2%, Laurel 1.25%, Myrtle 1.5%, Nutmeg (E. Indian) 2.5%, Star Anise 1.5%
Caution: Aniseed, Annual Wormwood, Birch, Buchu (B betulina), Cangerana, Elemi, Khella, Lavender Cotton, Oakmoss†, Pimento, Tagetes, Terebinth, Treemoss†
Diabetes - avoid: Angelica
Dosage - cautious with high doses: Nutmeg, Sage
Emotions - deadens: Marjoram
Epileptic - seizures: Annual Wormwood, Balsamite, Camphor (white), Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Hyssop, Ho Leaf, Lavender Cotton, Lavender Stoechas, Rosemary, Sage (Spanish), Terebinth
Epilepsy - caution: Lavandula stoechas, Sage (Spanish)
Fever - avoid with: Annual Wormwood, Balsamite, Camphor (white), Ho Leaf, Hyssop, Lavender Cotton
Fever - caution: Garlic, Massoia, Oakmoss†, Treemoss†, Verbena
Glaucoma: Backhousia Citiodora, Lemongrass, May Chang, Melissa Note: citral, a component in these oils raises ocular tension
Headaches - possible cause: Galbanum, Yarrow, over use of Ylang Ylang
Heart - over stimulant: Nutmeg
Heavy Flow - menstruation: Clary Sage
Homeopathic - may antidote: Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Rosemary, Spearmint
Inflammation - caution, use low dilution: Juniper
Ingest - do not: Any essential oil, especially Eucalyptus, Tea Tree
Kidney disease - severe: Black Pepper, Juniper
Kidney disease - caution: Bay, Cypress, Geranium, Grapefruit, Indian Dill, Linden Blossom, Parsley Leaf, Parsley seed
Lethargy - may cause: Marjoram
Liver disease - caution: Indian Dill, Parsley Leaf, Parsley seed, Menthol (GP6D)
Mucous Membrane - irritation: Bay, Black Pepper, Cajuput, Camphor, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clove, Galbanum, Ginger, Myrtle, Origanum, Pimento, Sage, Thyme. It is strongly advised that no oils be used on mucous membrane areas without the advice of a trained aromatherapist.
Nervous system - over stimulates: Anise-star, Lavender Spike (palpitations)
Never Use † solvent extraction: Almond (bitter), Armoise (Mugwort), Artemisia Arborescens, Basil (high estragole), Birch (sweet), Boldo, Buchu (B Crenulata), Cade (unrectified), Calamus, Camphor (brown), Camphor (Yellow), Cassia, Cinnamon Bark, Costus, Elecampane, Fig Leaf, Horseradish, Lanyana, Melaleuca Bracteata, Mustard, Pennyroyal, Ravansara Anisata, Sage (Dalmation) Spanish, Sassafrass, Savin, Snakeroot, Southernwood, Tansy, Tarragon, Tea†, Thuja, Verbena †, Wintergreen, Wormseed, Wormwood
Paralysis - temporary: Large doses of peppermint may cause temporary paralysis.
Photo-Sensitivity/Toxicity - may cause (avoid sunlight and sunbeds for 12 hours): Angelica 0.78%, Bergamot 0.4%, Cumin 0.4%, Grapefruit 4%, Lemon 2%, Lime 0.7%, Mandarin, Opopanax, Orange (bitter) 1.4%, Rue 0.78%, Taget 0.05%, Tangerine, Verbena
Pregnancy - no oils are recommended safe taken internally: Aniseed, Annual Wormwood, Amica, Basil, Balsamite, Bay, Buchu, Cangerana, Camphor, Caraway, Carrot Seed, Cedarwood, Chamomile (1st trimester) after with caution, Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Clove, Cumin, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Galbanum, Geranium, Ho Leaf, Hyssop, Indian Dill, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender (1st trimester) after with caution, Lavender Spike, Lavender Stoechas, Lavender Cotton, Marjoram, Melissa, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Origanum, Parsley Leaf, Parsley Seed, Peppermint, Perilla, Rose (1st trimester) after with caution, Rosemary, Rue, Sage, Santolina Spearmint, Thyme, Treemoss†, Yarrow. It is strongly advised that no oils be used during pregnancy without the advice of a trained aromatherapist.
Prostatic Hyperplasia - caution: Backousia Citriodora, Eucalyptus Staigeriana, Lemongrass, May Chang, Melissa
Psychotropic: Nutmeg
Pulmonary Problems - Acute - Avoid: Garlic, Onion
Respiratory Paralysis - may cause: Sage
Sensitizing: Lavender, Tea Tree
Skin Irritation - may cause: Aniseed, Abies Alba (cones & needles), Basil, Bay, Benzoin, Bergamot, Birch, Black Pepper, Caraway, Cardamom, Cajuput, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Clove, Fennel (bitter), Galbanum, Garlic, Geranium, Ginger, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lemongrass, Mandarin, Massoia, Melissa, Nutmeg, Oakmoss, Orange, Origanum, Peppermint, Pimento, Pine, Santolina, Spearmint, Spruce, Tea Tree, Terebinth, Thyme, Treemoss†, Verbena †, Yarrow
Sleep patterns - can interfere: Cajuput, Geranium, Peppermint
Stupefying: Clary Sage, Coriander, Basil when used in excess
Sweating - can cause profuse: Tea Tree
Toxic: Aniseed, Tarragon with prolonged use, Sage (5 drops), Nutmeg

† Should not be used if it has been processed with solvents.

Sharon

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	Aromatherapy Contra-Indications Chart Aromatherapy is normally safe unless the essential oils are used inappropriately. The cautions and contra-indications provided below are based on the premise that if the properties suggest harm then the contra-indication or caution is applied. Better to be safe than injure one person in a million. Only when scientific tests confirm the safety of an identified essential oil will it be removed from the list. This is not a fear-based approach, but a common sense, safety oriented approach! Carrier Oils Contra-Indications Chart Condition/Do Not Use Irritates skin/rash: Coconut Oil, Linseed Oil May promote skin burning: Coconut Oil Pregnancy: Evening Primrose Oil Stains clothing: Carrot Oil, Wheat Germ Oil Strong smell: Castor Oil, Carrot Oil, Olive Oil Essential Oils Contra-Indications Chart Condition/Do Not Use Alcohol: Clary Sage Allergy - sensitive skin: Linden blossom Aroma - bad: Amyris, Cumin, Fennel and Marjoram combined Blood pressure, raises: Eucalyptus, Hyssop, Rosemary, Thyme Blood pressure, lowers: Clary Sage, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram, Melissa, Ylang Ylang Cancer: Anise 2.5%, Basil (low estragole 2%), Fennel (bitter) 1.5%, Fennel (sweet) 2%, Ho Leaf 2%, Laurel 1.25%, Myrtle 1.5%, Nutmeg (E. Indian) 2.5%, Star Anise 1.5% Caution: Aniseed, Annual Wormwood, Birch, Buchu (B betulina), Cangerana, Elemi, Khella, Lavender Cotton, Oakmoss†, Pimento, Tagetes, Terebinth, Treemoss† Diabetes - avoid: Angelica Dosage - cautious with high doses: Nutmeg, Sage Emotions - deadens: Marjoram Epileptic - seizures: Annual Wormwood, Balsamite, Camphor (white), Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Hyssop, Ho Leaf, Lavender Cotton, Lavender Stoechas, Rosemary, Sage (Spanish), Terebinth Epilepsy - caution: Lavandula stoechas, Sage (Spanish) Fever - avoid with: Annual Wormwood, Balsamite, Camphor (white), Ho Leaf, Hyssop, Lavender Cotton Fever - caution: Garlic, Massoia, Oakmoss†, Treemoss†, Verbena Glaucoma: Backhousia Citiodora, Lemongrass, May Chang, Melissa Note: citral, a component in these oils raises ocular tension Headaches - possible cause: Galbanum, Yarrow, over use of Ylang Ylang Heart - over stimulant: Nutmeg Heavy Flow - menstruation: Clary Sage Homeopathic - may antidote: Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Rosemary, Spearmint Inflammation - caution, use low dilution: Juniper Ingest - do not: Any essential oil, especially Eucalyptus, Tea Tree Kidney disease - severe: Black Pepper, Juniper Kidney disease - caution: Bay, Cypress, Geranium, Grapefruit, Indian Dill, Linden Blossom, Parsley Leaf, Parsley seed Lethargy - may cause: Marjoram Liver disease - caution: Indian Dill, Parsley Leaf, Parsley seed, Menthol (GP6D) Mucous Membrane - irritation: Bay, Black Pepper, Cajuput, Camphor, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clove, Galbanum, Ginger, Myrtle, Origanum, Pimento, Sage, Thyme. It is strongly advised that no oils be used on mucous membrane areas without the advice of a trained aromatherapist. Nervous system - over stimulates: Anise-star, Lavender Spike (palpitations) Never Use † solvent extraction: Almond (bitter), Armoise (Mugwort), Artemisia Arborescens, Basil (high estragole), Birch (sweet), Boldo, Buchu (B Crenulata), Cade (unrectified), Calamus, Camphor (brown), Camphor (Yellow), Cassia, Cinnamon Bark, Costus, Elecampane, Fig Leaf, Horseradish, Lanyana, Melaleuca Bracteata, Mustard, Pennyroyal, Ravansara Anisata, Sage (Dalmation) Spanish, Sassafrass, Savin, Snakeroot, Southernwood, Tansy, Tarragon, Tea†, Thuja, Verbena †, Wintergreen, Wormseed, Wormwood Paralysis - temporary: Large doses of peppermint may cause temporary paralysis. Photo-Sensitivity/Toxicity - may cause (avoid sunlight and sunbeds for 12 hours): Angelica 0.78%, Bergamot 0.4%, Cumin 0.4%, Grapefruit 4%, Lemon 2%, Lime 0.7%, Mandarin, Opopanax, Orange (bitter) 1.4%, Rue 0.78%, Taget 0.05%, Tangerine, Verbena Pregnancy - no oils are recommended safe taken internally: Aniseed, Annual Wormwood, Amica, Basil, Balsamite, Bay, Buchu, Cangerana, Camphor, Caraway, Carrot Seed, Cedarwood, Chamomile (1st trimester) after with caution, Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Clove, Cumin, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Galbanum, Geranium, Ho Leaf, Hyssop, Indian Dill, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender (1st trimester) after with caution, Lavender Spike, Lavender Stoechas, Lavender Cotton, Marjoram, Melissa, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Origanum, Parsley Leaf, Parsley Seed, Peppermint, Perilla, Rose (1st trimester) after with caution, Rosemary, Rue, Sage, Santolina Spearmint, Thyme, Treemoss†, Yarrow. It is strongly advised that no oils be used during pregnancy without the advice of a trained aromatherapist. Prostatic Hyperplasia - caution: Backousia Citriodora, Eucalyptus Staigeriana, Lemongrass, May Chang, Melissa Psychotropic: Nutmeg Pulmonary Problems - Acute - Avoid: Garlic, Onion Respiratory Paralysis - may cause: Sage Sensitizing: Lavender, Tea Tree Skin Irritation - may cause: Aniseed, Abies Alba (cones & needles), Basil, Bay, Benzoin, Bergamot, Birch, Black Pepper, Caraway, Cardamom, Cajuput, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Clove, Fennel (bitter), Galbanum, Garlic, Geranium, Ginger, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lemongrass, Mandarin, Massoia, Melissa, Nutmeg, Oakmoss, Orange, Origanum, Peppermint, Pimento, Pine, Santolina, Spearmint, Spruce, Tea Tree, Terebinth, Thyme, Treemoss†, Verbena †, Yarrow Sleep patterns - can interfere: Cajuput, Geranium, Peppermint Stupefying: Clary Sage, Coriander, Basil when used in excess Sweating - can cause profuse: Tea Tree Toxic: Aniseed, Tarragon with prolonged use, Sage (5 drops), Nutmeg † Should not be used if it has been processed with solvents. Sharon (Question?) (About Sharon) (Print This)