Safely Using Your Essential Oils: Storage and Usage

By Lori Lines

The concentration of essential oils is very high. Just a single drop is powerful enough to stop a cold, soothe a burn, or relieve an itchy bug bite. Many people assume that essential oils are harmless since they are obtained from plants, but this is not always true. If not used properly, essential oils have the potential to cause minor reactions, such as skin irritation, or even more serious consequences like respiratory failure.  It is very important that you use the oils according to the instruction label on the bottle or through research on the Young Living Essential Oils website.


The use of adulterated or expired essential oils may also have adverse effects. That’s why you should only purchase your essential oils from a trusted source like Young Living. Young Living oils do not expire because they are unadulterated. The company formulates essential oil-based wellness solutions that help to energize your life, empower you to dodge harmful chemicals, ditch negativity and stress, and reclaim your natural radiance by introducing higher vibrational frequencies when applied or ingested.


The Safe Use of Essential Oils
When used properly, essential oils are highly beneficial and quite safe. However, because the uses of essential oils are still relatively unknown, many people can and do hurt themselves by using them improperly.


Safety and Toxicology 

• Do not use essential oils internally unless the label indicates it's safe.
• Keep out of reach of children (store properly).
• Dilute with carrier oil. 
• Do not apply directly to skin, unless the label on the bottle directs otherwise.
• Do not use citrus oils before exposure to Ultra Violet light.
• Avoid contact with mucous membranes and eyes.
• Do not use essential oils on children, infants, the elderly, pregnant women, or those with serious health problems, without advanced medical study.
• Avoid synthetic fragrances; use only pure unadulterated essential oils.
• Avoid exposure for long without ventilation.

Though essential oils are not supposed to be used internally, there are two exceptions to this rule. The first exception is biocompatible levels of essential oil ingestion when taken as part of the diet. The second is when a licensed physician properly administers dosages of essential oil for medication purposes. This is now occurring in some European clinics. 


When someone ingests essential oils accidentally, do not give water if swallowing or breathing is difficult. Secondly, do not induce vomiting and immediately seek for help from medical experts, especially from Poison Control Center.


Again, there are two exceptions to the rule that essential oils are not supposed to be applied directly to the skin but should always be diluted with carrier oil.  The first exception is the careful use of mild essential oils that have a well documented history of safety such as lavender.  However, even these mild essential oils can be problematic for some people. The second exception is the use of attars as natural perfumes. As a general rule, NEVER apply more than two drops of undiluted oil to the skin. It is also advisable that before you apply essential oils onto a large area of your skin, you can first test on a small area. 


Storage of essential oils
The way that you look after your oils affects their shelf life. Essential oils generally have a shelf life of one to three years. Oxidized and old oils are known to cause reactions, especially rashes. Some essential oils such as patchouli oil, vetiver oil, and sandalwood oil get better with age. Some like citrus oils are most prone to degradation, and should be used within one year. Correct storage is most definitely the key to getting the most out of your oils. Both vegetable and essential oils do not like repeated changes in temperature or extreme temperatures.




The basics
Essential oils should be packaged in dark-colored glass. Dark amber has always been the color of choice in glass bottles until quite recently that dark shades of violet, green and blue have become more popular. The color doesn’t matter much, what matters is that you should never leave essential oils at a place where the sun will shine directly on them. Choose a cool, dark place to keep them safely away from heat and also from children.


Cool them off
Some essential oils such as citrus essential oils are prone to oxidation, so you could store them in the refrigerator to avoid the damage caused by temperature variations. Massage oils and carrier oils will also benefit by being stored in this way. However, do not have the refrigerator setting too cold. It should be remembered that essential oils do not like extreme temperatures, so a temperature balance of 50 to 80 degrees fahrenheit should be good.

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