We Need To Talk About Essential Oils

Heather Dessinger

This post contains affiliate links.
Click here to read my affiliate policy.

We Need To Talk About Essential Oils

So, unless you’re living under a rock . . .

You’ve probably noticed that essential oils have taken over the natural living world. You’ve probably also guessed by now that, despite some reports, they won’t give you superpowers or vacuum your house while you nap. But maybe you’re wondering if most of the claims about them could possibly be true.

Maybe you’re wondering “how” and “when” and “when NOT” to use them, especially when it comes to applications for children and pregnant/nursing women. If you’re not at least a little confused about essential oils, this post is probably not for you.

But if you are, today I’m going to share with you what I would say to any friend who happened to be sitting at my kitchen table with questions. Let’s get started with the most common ones:

Why is everyone so gaga over essential oils?

It’s just a theory, but I think it’s starting to worry people that acne medications may cause hair to grow on the side of their nose, cholesterol medications can trigger full-blown amnesia, and a medication designed to treat male pattern baldness may also cause them to grow fully functional, lactating breasts.

Maybe those concerns, plus concerns about toxins in our food, cleaning supplies, and beauty products are inspiring people to re-evaluate their lifestyle. Or it could be that essential oils just, um, smell amazing.

Okay, so . . . do essential oils really work?

I believe they do. I wouldn’t say every claim made about them is true, but several studies suggest that essential oils can be very useful for supporting health.

We Need To Talk About Essential Oils

Are essential oils safe?

So, er, this is what I wanted to talk to you about. My personal opinion is that essential oils are often beneficial, but because they are so powerful they need to be used with wisdom.

Here’s how I see it: When I was a girl, my mom didn’t teach me to cook by handing me a steak knife and heading out for a relaxing afternoon at the movies. Though I may have succeeded in making lunch, I may have made some unwise decisions in the process. Instead, she worked alongside me, teaching me to properly use each kitchen tool in different situations.

When I started using essential oils, I didn’t receive much guidance regarding safety considerations. Now that I know better, I’m trying to do better. That is what I want to see happen in the world of essential oils.

As these amazing tools go mainstream, I want to help families discover safe and effective ways to use them. Because I want to be as thorough as possible, I’ve done something kind of crazy for a mom of three, blogger, homeschooler and (newbie) homesteader. I’ve enrolled in Aromahead’s Aromatherapy Program with the goal of becoming a certified aromatherapist! Aromahead is approved by the National Association For Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) and the Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA), and I’m so excited to be a part of their program.

I’ve also invested in a ton of resources, including Essential Oil Safety, which was written by world renowned expert Robert Tisserand. I nearly fainted when I first saw the sticker price for it, but considering it took him and his co-author 10+ years to write I’d say it’s well worth it. And hey, at least the shipping was free.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to use essential oils safely, here are some things you can do.

1. Sign up for my newsletter by going to the top of the homepage and entering your email. I’ll send you a free gift right away, and I’ll also let you know when some posts I have planned – essential oils that are safe for babies, children, pregnant/nursing mamas and more – are ready.

2. Take advantage of the free classes offered by Aromahead Institute.

3. Join the Using Essential Oils Safely Facebook group – it’s run by certified aromatherapists that volunteer their time to answer questions and share safe recipes.

Want more research-backed natural remedies?

No problem, I’ve created a free ebook for you – Kitchen Apothecary: 25+ Natural Remedies Using Ingredients From Your Pantry – as a gift for signing up for my newsletter. You’ll also get updates when I post about safe essential oils for pregnant/breastfeeding mamas, exclusive gifts and coupons (I was able to give away a jar of free coconut oil to anyone who wanted it recently!), plus other goodies.

Sign up using the form below.

Related Posts

About HEATHER

Heather is a holistic health educator, herbalist, DIYer, Lyme and mold warrior. Since founding Mommypotamus.com in 2009, Heather has been taking complicated health research and making it easy to understand. She shares tested natural recipes and herbal remedies with millions of naturally minded mamas around the world. 

Leave a Comment

58 thoughts on “We Need To Talk About Essential Oils”

  1. Oh my, thank you ! Thank you so much for this post ! I definitely love the fact that you research each and every topic.
    I’m very interested in essential oils, but backed up a little bit (well, actually a fair bit) when I saw how money-driven some company and some people were, how many contradictions were flying around, and how unethical some folks can be when it comes to earning money.
    Like you, I landed on the Aromahead webpage, and I wish I could take the course. Robert Tisserand’s book is also in my wish list on Amazon. Funny how we got to the same place ! I think I’ll definitely love to be part of your group if you agree ! Thank you !

    Reply
  2. Yes! You are right on! So excited about your Aromahead Certification. I am excited to hear more about the program.

    Reply
  3. Ah!!! This is EXACTLY what I am getting ready to do with EXACTLY the same reasoning!!! I love how Aromahead Institute is flexible with my schedule and the needs of my family for a lot less stress during the homeschooling year. I am soooo excited to learn.

    Reply
  4. Thank you SO MUCH for writing this! The number of people I see in social media using EO’s has exploded, as have the number of respected mommy-type bloggers that I’ve seen write about it. It has scared me so much, because SO MANY of the recommendations I see given for use with very young children and pregnant women are contraindicated by many non-MLM sources. I am 100% pro-EO, but not enough people understand that they are very powerful compounds with potential side effects, just like any medication. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for standing up for the knowledge that they need to be used responsibly and with caution/research.

    Reply
  5. That’s a great question, Megan. I did research that company but decided to look elsewhere. Based on my conversations with a certified aromatherapist, I concluded that some of the blends offered could be unsafe. Oils are listed on a label in the order of how much is present – the ones listed first make up more of the blend than ones listed last. In at one of their blends, the second oil listed can be neurotoxic in high concentrations and is therefore only recommended in very low concentrations. That was a red flag for me. Water can be toxic if too much is consumed, so it’s definitely about appropriate use. It is my opinion that most oils are safe when used appropriately. I absolutely love having them in my home, but “appropriately” is the key word. Can you tell I really feel passionate about that – I used the word three times! 😀

    Reply
    • I wish you had offered which oil used in the blend is neurotoxic in large amounts. Some people with blends from that company (I have a couple) might want to check…. I know there are many oils that can have toxic effects when ingested or overused, but your mention of that particular blend raises an important question for anyone who owns blends from that company.

      Reply
    • I can’t wait to try this recipe! I’ve made it once before with petroleum jelly. I’m happy to know that you’ve created an alternative to that ingredient!
      My Husband rubs the cream on his chest every night. I believe it’s a comfort thing to him.

      Thanks again, Mommypotamus!
      Kathy

      Reply
    • Hi Beth, herbalists have a longstanding tradition of passing their knowledge on through apprenticeships, etc. These things require a significant time investment from those sharing information, and it seems reasonable that that they be compensated somehow. In the same way, individuals who share information on how to identify beneficial essential oils and use them appropriately often make significant time investments in the people they mentor. I don’t see anything wrong with them being compensated for it, though I do have concerns about some of the information shared.

      Of course, you are free to find a community that resonates more with you. I wish you all the best!

      Reply
      • Passing along knowledge and expertise is definitely part of learning any trade thoroughly. My observations when it comes to YL is that there is very little knowledge passed along, and some of what is passed has very little regard to safety. The company itself may be serious about knowledge and safety, but the MLM structure is more interested in selling and creating a down line than it is in creating knowledgeable reps. There are no requirements whatsoever that reps know what they’re talking about or recommending to their customers. I’ve witnessed this first hand with just about every YL rep I’ve ever come into contact with. They know very little about the oils, just what their selling points are. That’s just plain dangerous.
        Also, MLM structures jack up the price to the consumer, out of necessity, in order to pay all those ppl along the line. I like YL’s product but will support pretty much any other brand first. It makes me sad, also, that you chose YL. Product quality and integrity of the company is one thing, but MLM and the dangers that go along with it are another entirely. Having said that, I’m glad that you do your research and make recommendations based on proper knowledge.

        Reply
      • Great reply, by now I hope she found her tribe that she agrees 100% with what everyone does during their private time!
        Great blogs, I love the citations even though 10,000 years of holistic and natural therapies generally speak for themselves!

        Reply
  6. I have been waiting for you to talk about essential oils! Thank you so much. I feel like all the information out there is either too liberal or too conservative. I would absolutely love to hear more if you’re willing to write about oils with children, babies, and pregnancy – definitely the most controversial aspects (which unfortunately means I kind of wing it, because you don’t know who to trust).

    Reply
  7. A thought–you mentioned that when you first started using EOs you didn’t receive good advice about safety concerns. I have noticed on your blog that you very much take matters of your family’s health into your own hands, which is awesome! So wouldn’t it then make sense for you to feel compelled to research EO safety on your own as you were starting to use them? The metaphor of handing a toddler a steak knife seems harsh…as an adult, no one is responsible for your EO use but yourself.

    Reply
    • Great questions. To answer them I need to clarify a few things. I didn’t intend to imply the image of giving a steak knife to a toddler – I meant to give the picture of a young girl who is capable and able to exercise good judgment, but is not yet experienced and in need of instruction. Also, I said that I didn’t receive much guidance. I did actually research safety issues, but much less was known about appropriate use at the time. Now that more information is available I feel compelled to modify my approach. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  8. How interesting that you write about this because i was thinking of posting myself some information that I have gathered after doing a lot of research. What i find is that many people do not understand the difference in essential oils, hydrosols, and infusioned oils. I have been making my own hydrosols (which is the by product of essentials oil) but much safer to use. Essential oils and safe to use and amazing however they have to be handled correctly and with a carrier oil. However hydrosols are safer and use in a lot of cosmetics. In fact i just read an article that the heading was “Hydrosols are the new essential oils” only because they are safer to use. All that being said there are many videos on the internet showing how to make essential oils that are really infused oils with herbs in olive or some other oil that sit in warm jars for a period of time and also some that show how to make essentials oils when in fact they are making hydrosols (which is an excellent product) but not essential oils. In the next few weeks i will probably write about this in more detail on my blogs. Thanks so much for taking the time to start the discussion.

    Reply
  9. I’m with you! I believe in EOs and have used with success, particularly peppermint and lavender for headaches/migraines. However, my number one belief is in herbs, tinctures, infusions, etc. these are things we can gather and prepare in our own homes with the least amount of processing. Love this discussion! Thanks for the info, Heather!

    Reply
  10. I certainly have noticed a boom in the use of – or at least talk of using essential oils. It’s fascinating to me and makes me curious as to if they truly work, however I am very concerned about the safety of them as we have small children and another on the way. I don’t want to do anything that would be harmful. I don’t know of a lot of info on what you can/can’t use with small children or while pregnant or breastfeeding. Soooo…whatever wisdom you can impart….!

    Reply
  11. I wanted to know your feelings on this…
    I’m concerned about many of these popular brands not being Organic. I feel that if I’m putting concentrated amounts of these oils on my skin (on internally or whatever) then I’m getting concentrated amounts of pesticides. What are your thoughts?

    Reply
    • Some of the best oils are wild-crafted, and can therefore not be certified organic. For others, it is possible to get organic where we are, with brands like Pranarom, Bioflore. I opt for them because aside from the pesticide issue, they will have a different composition.

      Reply
  12. What a timely post! Just last night I was thinking of learning more about essential oils as a way to enhance the doula services I plan to offer, but I have no idea where to even begin. Thanks for the research and resources!

    Reply
    • Please don’t recommend essential oil use to pregnant women unless you know what you are doing. There are several that can disrupt hormones or induce menstration or miscarriage.

      Reply
  13. Hi Heather,

    I respect you so very much for the intense research you put into all of your posted information. Your attention to detail is amazing, and even though we’re about the same age, “when I grow up, I wanna be just like you!” Hehe…

    I see that you are getting some seriously critical comments – this *does* appear to be a very hotly debated topic. I trust that you have made the best choice for *your* family, and admire you for publicly choosing the company that you support.

    Keep on truckin’, Heather – you’re an inspiration.

    Reply
  14. I once posted a question on my Facebook page asking my friends if they could name any disease or medical condition that essential oils could not treat or cure. They could not name one. Is that true? Can EOs treat the essential cause of Type 2 Diabetes? Hodgkin’s Disease? Muliple Systems Atrophy? Broken arms?

    Reply
    • Hi David, I think it is very unwise to call essential oils a cure for anything. Can they cure acne? No. Do certain oils stimulate the regeneration of healthy skin cells, and could that support smooth skin? Possibly. In other words, it is my belief that essential oils can be a complement to other approaches, but as I said in my post they don’t replace a good diet or adequate amounts of sleep. And if I ever break my arm I am going to the emergency room 🙂

      Reply
  15. Hi Meme, it is my opinion internal use of essential oils should only be considered under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. There are times when it may be appropriate, but they are outside the scope of what I will be covering. As I find resources and individuals who are qualified, I will share them 🙂

    Reply
  16. Hi Heather, it is a matter of preference. As long as you know that the companies you buy from can ensure quality, there is no reason you have to stick to just one.

    Reply
  17. Heather, I’d be curious to know your thoughts on using any essential oils in cooking. In particular, I’m thinking of organic lemon essential oil, as an alternative to lemon extract which contains undesirable additives and is not organic. Is it safe to use a very limited amount of the EO, or not at all?

    Reply
    • Hi Beth, there are some oils that can stand in for an extract if it is not available: peppermint, ginger, lemon, and orange for example. However some oils which would seem to be okay are not recommended (like basil), so it’s important to research first. It is my understanding that using EO’s in recipes this way is only appropriate if the recipe has a significant amount of fat. I believe the conversion is 1 drop per teaspoon of extract called for.

      Reply
  18. Hi Lindsey, thanks for sharing your thoughts. There are a few things you mentioned that I’d like to respond to:

    As a point of clarification, the Prescript Assist post I wrote was published over a year ago. I simply linked to it from my Facebook page because they were having a sale I thought y’all might be interested in.

    Also, if I link to a product with an affiliate link, it is something that I personally use, support and/or would recommend without an affiliate link. Here’s what I mean: The other day a new neighbor stopped by our farm. We have boys around the same age and she commented on how well my kids responded to a sticky situation that came up. I laughed and said, “Well, I’m no genius at this. I’m taking a parenting class that’s helping me.” When something makes that much of a difference in my life I want to share it, so that’s what I did. As you might imagine, a lot of people ask me to review and recommend their products here on Mommypotamus. Most of the time I have to say no, because I I won’t recommend anything to your family that I wouldn’t use with mine. On the other hand, I have discovered some WONDERFUL products because someone got in touch with me for a review. I am a loyal (and frequent!) customer of many of the companies I have recommended. (Not all, of course, because there are times when I’ll do things like recommend a source for grass-fed beef for those who can’t find any locally. I can buy mine locally, so I do.)

    Finally, herbalists have a longstanding tradition of passing their knowledge on through apprenticeships, etc. These things require a significant time investment from those sharing information, and it seems reasonable that that they be compensated somehow. In the same way, individuals who share information on how to identify beneficial essential oils and use them appropriately often make significant time investments in the people they mentor. I don’t see anything wrong with them being compensated for it via the MLM model, though I do have concerns about some of the information that is shared. I’m investing thousands of dollars in tuition and supplies toward earning my aromatherapy certification, and I’ll be giving away what I learn for free here. I am incredibly grateful to those who sign up to order through me because they help offset my costs.

    If after reading this you still feel that I am insincere in my recommendations, I hope that you will be able to find a community that resonates more with you. Ain’t nobody got time for fake butter or fake people . . . or even people they think might be fake! 🙂

    Reply
    • So I just wrote a stand-alone comment and then read the existing comments – your reply to this person’s comment is essentially what I was trying to say to you! Everyone needs to earn a living!

      Reply
  19. can i ask how you chose an online program? i am looking for one and so far it seems between east-west and aromaheads — im new to all this so looking for more information 🙂
    thanks,
    sierra

    Reply
  20. Meme I would consider trying homeopathy for getting rid of the MRSA. Its very effective for dealing with those sorts of things.

    Reply
  21. Hi Heather! Do you recommend using these high quality oils in your cleaning recipes or would essential oils that you can buy from grocery stores work instead?

    Reply
  22. It’s important to remember that all essential oils are anti-microbial and anti-bacterial… so when used internally, they don’t distinguish between bad and good bacteria, they KILL it all (including our good gut bacteria!)!! Yikes! I’ll never take it internally again! But do love cleaning with them! 🙂

    Reply
  23. Hi Heather, this comment is actually geared toward the controversy surrounding your later post about EO’s. I think comments were closed. But I wanted to say that while it might be “admirable” for you to choose not to make an income off of oils you recommend, you have every right to do so! I didn’t read the post you had to remove so I don’t know what it said. But the rest of your posts make you seem like a reasonable, kind person. I doubt you blasted any companies, even if you said they weren’t your preference. And just because you don’t mention every other company out there doesn’t mean you are unethical. From the comments, it appears you did your research, chose what you liked best, told people why, and earned some income from it. Particularly considering the direction blogging has gone, this seems reasonable to me. While it’s all well and good to share your knowledge for free, it doesn’t seem to me you have to. I’m kinda of blathering here now so I’ll stop. But you have my moral support one way or the other (and I don’t buy essential oils!).

    Reply
  24. I’ve rescently read that there are three different schools of thought behind essential oils, English, French, and German. Have you researched those methods at all? For me personally, It’s cleared up my questions about the big debate wether to ingest oils, put it on skin, diffuse, or none of the above. I’ve also resently read that America is very heavy on the English method of using essential oils and that the confusion lays between those that want to practice using essential oils the French method or the English method….I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Thank you!

    Reply
  25. Heather,

    Do you know where I can get a list of ailments and the oils that are used to treat them? Like a quick guide kind of thing?

    You inspire me daily!
    Natalie

    Reply
  26. I just enrolled in the Aromahead University program after watching one of their free facebooks webinars. I’m so excited to get started. I had newly enrolled as a Wellness Advocate for doTERRA oils. I’m presuming they’re compatible?

    Reply
  27. What lead me to Aromahead Institute was my research. I discovered an amazing amount of knowledge about people who are using EOs and came to the conclusion that there are professionals, and every day moms who are discussing, making recommendations without proper knowledge and or certifications required to make such recommendations. It was an eye opener for me and I too want to become an aromatherapist at Aromahead Institute. I’ve seen many of Andrea’s free webinars and I learned so much from her, as a professional.

    Reply
  28. THANK YOU! Thank you for highlighting that EOs are powerful. Thank you for highlighting that unless you really know what you’re doing they can be dangerous. Thank you for having a higher sense of responsibility as a blogger than most who just say, “yeah, EOs will change your life – just jump right in!”
    I’ve worked with many natural health practitioners, including aromatherapists, who have all said: EOs work on a molecular level, like all health sciences they’ve got to be respected and used appropriately.
    I always enjoy reading your articles as they’re intelligent, balanced, and natural!

    Reply
  29. Best advice I’ve seen in weeks! I hate the MLM aspect of this fad! I’ve had many debates about the marketing practices of these EO companies. When a company trademarks a phrase, and claims they are the only ingestable oils made . . . As far as my research shows, there are NO actual certified pure, organic, ingestable oils, as there is no actual process for certifying them yet. Trademarking a catch phrase, so you can claim to be superior, doesn’t impress or fly with me. Trademarking a phrase, so others are unable to make the same purity claims as you is just another day in capitalist America. MLMs are created for one thing. Dollar, dollar bills y’all!

    Reply
  30. I see you mentioned aromahead several years ago. Have you since finished course. Thoughts ? I was considering taking it but I’m deaf and not sure if 1. Can get through videos 2. Will I get job after completing? 3. Worth the money ?

    Reply
  31. You have some really good studies linked to. Thank you for that, as I have been looking for some studies and they seem hard to come by for some reason! I’m curious what you thought about the aromahead institute course?

    Reply
  32. I would really like to see some bloggers start trying and recommending New Directions Aromatics. I heard about it from Humblebee and Me and they are excellent products. The prices are unbeatable in my experience and many clean companies source ingredients from them.

    Reply