Essential Oil Ingestion or Nah?

by Laura Bruder

Essential Oils are a powerfully potent form of medicine and although they are natural, we need to proceed, as with any form of medication - with care and consultation.

There really isn't a blanket answer for this. First and foremost, you should always check labels and warnings before ingesting an oil. It is always advisable to check with a healthcare provider.

There are factors to consider before ingesting:

pregnancy and nursing
existing health condition
interaction with prescribed medications

I can't say this enough....best practice is to read all warnings or cautions for each oil and if you are still unsure, check with a health care provider prior to ingesting oils. As with any medication, be it natural or lab created, it is the individual's responsibility to research and understand the side effects prior to taking internally.

There are many oils that are safe to take internally, (given they are organic or wild-crafted) that perhaps you feel confident to take without consulting a health care provider. As with any food or drug, we are all responsible to make informed choices and to take cues from our bodies. Lemon for example is a common oil that is used in recipes. However, if you have an intolerance or are allergic to lemons, you would therefore avoid ingesting lemon oil as well. If you do ingest an oil that is labelled as safe to use internally, be mindful of how it makes you feel. Should you develop a negative reaction? Stop taking it immediately and seek medical attention.

Honourable Mentions:

Grapefruit - You may have been prescribed a medication at some point in your life and had either your doctor or the pharmacist warn you not to have grapefruit at all or within a window of time from when you took your prescription. The chemical makeup of grapefruit may have negative interactions with certain medications
Oregano Oil - Personally, this is a no for me. It is extremely potent and can be quite harsh. If you have a compromised gut, as I do, it is highly discouraged to ingest. How many people do you know, run to the health food store to grab a bottle at the first sign of a cold? Oregano Oil, in its natural habitat, is made to fight off viruses, bacteria, pets, bugs, and parasites in order to protect it from these unwanted invaders so they can thrive and grow. This is the same result that we can expect from oregano oil when we diffuse it. Can it be ingested if you are trying to rid yourself of bacteria, viruses, a parasite...? Yes. However, oregano oil should always be diluted in a liquid or with food, and never taken on an empty stomach. Oregano Oil should not be consumed for for than 10 consecutive days in a row. Why? just as it will kill off the bad stuff, it will also start killing off the good bacteria that is needed for our guts to stay healthy and strong and to naturally fight off invaders. If you have a health concern that you believe oregano oil can help with, please seek counsel from a health care provider first, and work with them to use internally in a safe and monitored way.
Oils that are steam distilled from bark, such as Sandalwood, Cedarwood, and Birch should never be ingested.

So... ingestion or nah?

When in doubt, seek guidance from a health care professional.

I hope it's a little clearer than mud. Feel free to reach out to

the Honest Oil Team if you have any questions regarding

ingestion of essential oils.