How long should you breathe in essential oils?

Essential oils are any plant-based, volatile oil that contains a mixture of chemical compounds and have an aroma characteristic of the plant. Commonly used essential oils are eucalyptus oil, clove oil, tea tree oil and aromatherapy oils.

Vaporiser solutions used in steam vaporisers often contain one or more essential oils in lower concentrations to those used in aromatherapy.

What are essential oils used for?

Essential oils are commonly used in aromatherapy to bring about mental and physical wellbeing. Aromatherapy is the practice of blending different therapeutic essential oils to stimulate a desired response. Essential oils can be applied or massaged into the skin, inhaled or immersed in water.

While aromatherapy has been practiced for centuries in various cultures, it has not yet been properly evaluated for medical effectiveness. However, it remains a popular complementary therapy for helping with certain health conditions.

Examples include:

  • Eucalyptus oil: nasal decongestant, disinfectant.
  • Clove oil: toothaches.
  • Tea tree oil: antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral properties.
  • Peppermint: digestive disorders.
  • Lavender: anxiety, insomnia and restlessness.

What are the dangers of essential oils?

There have been claims made by companies producing essential oil products and their distributors that essential oils are ‘natural’ and therefore are ‘safe to consume’.

Essential oils are not safe to consume and can cause significant poisoning even if small amounts are ingested.

The Western Australian Poisons Information Centre (WAPIC) has recorded an increase in poisonings as a result of essential oil ingestions in children. It is therefore important that essential oils are stored securely in a child-resistant container and kept out of reach of children.

The use of undiluted essential oils on sensitive skin or in the nostrils can irritate or burn. Susceptible people may also develop an allergic reaction and a skin rash.

What are the symptoms of toxicity?

Essential oils are rapidly absorbed orally and symptoms can develop as quickly as 30 minutes after ingestion (some individuals experience delayed symptoms up to 4 hours after exposure). The severity of toxicity is dependent on the type of oil and the amount ingested.

Children are particularly susceptible. As little as 2mL (less than half a teaspoon) of eucalyptus oil can cause significant poisoning in an infant. Symptoms of toxicity include:

  • drowsiness, slow/shallow breathing, coma (after large ingestion)
  • seizures
  • persistent cough, gagging/choking, shortness of breath, wheezing
  • nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
  • skin irritation (skin exposure)
  • eye redness, irritation or pain (eye exposures). 

What should I do after an exposure?

Ingestion:

  • rinse out the mouth
  • phone the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for advice
  • do not induce vomiting
  • do not give oral fluids until it is advised safe to do so by the Poisons Information Centre. This can increase of risk of vomiting and aspiration of fluid into the lungs.

Eye exposures:

  • Immediately rinse the eye(s) under running water, allowing the water to flow from the corner of the eye closest to the nose over the eye and outwards. This should be continued for 15 minutes. Persistent eye symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor. 

Skin:

  • Remove contaminated clothing and wash the skin with soap and water. See a doctor if symptoms do not resolve.

Inhalation:

  • Affected patients should be taken to fresh air.
  • If symptoms do not settle phone the Poisons Information Centre.

Who can I call for help?

  • The Western Australian Poisons Information Centre: phone 13 11 26. This service is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day – also provides advice about poisonings, suspected poisonings, bites and stings, mistakes with medicines and poisoning prevention advice.
  • In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance. 

This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

Essential oils are highly concentrated natural extracts from the leaves, flowers, and stems of plants.

The most common way to use essential oils is to inhale them, both for their amazing scent and their therapeutic properties. But they can also be used in diffusers and humidifiers, as well as diluted with a carrier oil and applied to the skin.

Essential oils have a wide range of medicinal and therapeutic properties. Their antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties make them a useful product in your medicine cabinet.

They have also been shown to promote healthy sleep, relieve headaches, and alleviate pain. In addition, essential oils can improve skin conditions, help treat the common cold, and encourage healthy digestion.

Below we’ll check out some of the ways you can use essential oils, along with their benefits and tips for using them safely.

How to use essential oils with a diffuser

A diffuser is a device that disperses essential oils into the air. There are several types of essential oil diffusers that you can use for this. For safety reasons, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Popular types of essential oil diffusers include:

  • ceramic
  • electric
  • candle
  • lamp rings
  • reed diffuser
  • ultrasonic

Simply inhale

The easiest method of inhalation is to open a bottle of pure essential oil and inhale deeply a few times. But don’t let the undiluted oil touch your skin.

For the , you’ll need a bowl of hot water and a towel. Place the bowl on a table and add a few drops of essential oil. Place a towel over your head and the bowl. Close your eyes and deeply inhale the steam for several minutes. Repeat a few times throughout the day.

When you’re dispensing essential oils in the air, consider pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, or pets in your environment. Some essential oils can be dangerous.

Dry evaporation

This method only requires some type of dry material such as a cotton ball or fabric.

Add a few drops of essential oil to the material. Hold this to your nose and inhale or allow the scent to disperse naturally.

You can add the material to the vents in your car, your shirt collar, or your pillowcase.

How to use essential oils on your skin

You can use essential oils for skincare and massage in a variety of ways. Dilute essential oils with a carrier oil and apply the mixture to your skin. Follow a recipe or your intuition to make a rollerball blend so that you have your favorite combination on hand.

Focus on areas of muscular pain, tightness, and tension. You can also gently rub the oil into pressure points such as your temples, wrists, and . You can also use the oils to massage your feet and place a few drops around your nose.

Another option is to add essential oils to your favorite cosmetic products, such as toners, serums, and muscle rubs. But always take care to dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil first.

How to use essential oils in a bath or shower

While it’s best to store essential oils outside of the bathroom due to heat and humidity, you’ll find a lot of uses for them here. Add a few drops of essential oils to your shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

To inhale essential oils while you shower, add a few drops to the shower walls and inhale deeply as you shower. Or add a few drops of diluted essential oil to a warm washcloth that can be used for inhalation and to gently exfoliate your body.

Dilute a few drops of essential oils with a carrier oil before adding it to your bathwater. Or use an essential oil salt bath or bubble bath product.

How to use essential oils in a humidifier

If you choose to add essential oils to your humidifier, check with the manufacturer’s directions. Some ultrasonic humidifier manufacturers do not recommend the use of essential oils.

To use essential oils in a humidifier, add a few drops into the water tank. The oil will naturally vaporize throughout the room. For best results, use a cool mist and clean your humidifier regularly.

Precautions for using essential oils

The potency and potential risks of essential oils require that you use them with care. Do not take essential oils internally.

People who shouldn’t use essential oils without a doctor’s recommendation include:

  • older adults
  • children younger than 12
  • women who are pregnant or breastfeeding

Also make sure to consider pets in the environment. Some essential oils can be dangerous for pets.

Talk to a doctor before using essential oils if you take any medications or have any health concerns, including high blood pressure, low immunity, or epilepsy.

Speak with a certified aromatherapist if you would like more information about an individual treatment plan. You can search for an aromatherapist with the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy’s online database.

Use a carrier oil

Always mix essential oils with a therapeutic-grade carrier oil. Avoid any oils derived from tree nuts if you have any nut allergies.

Skin sensitivities

Essential oils have the potential to aggravate the skin. Avoid using essential oils near sensitive areas such as the eyes, ears, and mouth. Do not apply them to broken, inflamed, or irritated skin.

You can look out for potential skin allergies by doing a patch test before using any carrier or essential oil. To do a patch test, place a small amount of the diluted oil on your inner wrist or below your ear. Wait 24 hours to see if any irritation occurs.

Certain citrus oils can cause photosensitivity when skin is exposed to sunlight after use. Avoid using on any areas of skin that will be exposed to the sun within 12 hours.

Essential oil benefits

While more research is needed, essential oils have a wealth of proven health benefits. They’re an affordable, versatile, and convenient way to improve your health and quality of life.

You can use them to relieve pain and cramping, improve respiratory health, and heal skin conditions. They also relieve congestion, promote healthy sleep patterns, and boost your mood.

Here are the benefits of some popular essential oils:

Lavender. Lavender oil’s sedative properties make it a useful oil for calming both emotions and physical concerns such as minor skin injuries, cramping, and sinus congestion. It’s also used to relieve headaches, anxiety, and insomnia.

Tea tree. The benefits of tea tree oil far outweigh its strong medicinal scent. This oil is a staple in skincare and helps to treat acne, nail fungus, and warts.

Peppermint. Peppermint oil is a potent oil that’s used in improving respiratory function and relieving sinus congestion. It also has properties that help to improve digestion. The stimulating scent of peppermint may relieve nausea and improve brain function.

Orange. Orange oil may alleviate anxiety and stress. This essential oil may soothe your and promote healthy lymphatic flow. However, this is a citrus essential oil that can cause burns on the skin when exposed to sunlight.

Lemon. This oil is used for boosting immunity, circulation, and lymphatic flow. Its antibacterial and antiviral properties make it useful in treating skin conditions like bug bites, boils, and pimples. However, like orange oil, lemon oil can cause photo sensitivity on skin.

Takeaway

Essential oils have a variety of health benefits, from skin care to stress relief. The most common way to use essential oils is to inhale them, either directly out of the bottle or by using a diffuser or humidifier.

You can also dilute essential oils with a carrier oil and apply it directly your skin. Or you can get creative and add the mixture to a body wash, shampoo, or bath.

Remember to always use caution with essential oils, especially when you first start trying them. Keep your eye out for any adverse reactions and be mindful of potency.

Is it OK to breathe in essential oils?

The answer is yes it is safe, but even more than that, breathing in essential oils can be good for you. Inhaling essential oils isn't just pleasant because of their gorgeous scents and aromas they release, but it can actually positively affect your mental and physical wellbeing too.

What happens if you inhale too much essential oil?

The inhalation of essential oil vapors is not generally dangerous, but very intensive inhalation for more than about 20 minutes may lead to respiratory distress and/or neurological symptoms, such as headache, nausea, burning of eyes and throat, cough, shortness of breath, or slowed breathing in young children.

How do you clean your lungs with essential oils?

A person may want to try:.
adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to 1 ounce of carrier oil and rubbing the mixture onto the chest and throat..
diluting eucalyptus oil in boiling water and inhaling the steam..