Tag: Essential oil safety

While koalas famously subsist on a diet of eucalyptus leaves, consuming these leaves is highly toxic and dangerous for humans. The compounds that make eucalyptus aromatic and medicinally useful for external applications are poisonous when ingested, even in small quantities.

According to manufacturers like Bach, specific wild rose flower essences are explicitly labeled with a 'Do not ingest' warning, highlighting a critical safety distinction. Therefore, understanding the precise type of rose product is vital before considering consumption. This guide explores the safety, differences, and appropriate uses to clarify whether you can consume wild rose essence and what precautions you must take.

While the cinnamon spice is a kitchen staple, cassia essential oil is highly concentrated and should not be ingested. Ingesting cassia essential oil can cause serious health issues, including liver and kidney damage, due to its high concentration of a chemical called coumarin. Understanding the critical difference between culinary spices and essential oils is essential for your safety.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), only essential oils designated as 'Generally Recognized As Safe' (GRAS) can be considered safe for internal consumption in specific, low quantities. This critical distinction is based on the oil's purpose, manufacturing process, and safety testing, which separates food-grade products from those intended solely for topical or aromatic use.

While some companies heavily promote the use of essential oils in food, many are unaware of the significant safety risks and the fact that most essential oils are not intended for internal consumption. This guide explains how to navigate the complex world of using essential oils for cooking, ensuring you do so safely or opt for better alternatives.

Pure oregano essential oil, derived from the plant $Origanum$ $vulgare$, is an extremely potent and concentrated substance due to active compounds like carvacrol. Mixing it with a carrier oil, most commonly olive oil, is essential for safe topical application and internal consumption, preventing irritation and ensuring proper absorption.

According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 70 million people suffer from some form of sleep disorder, and lavender has long been used as a natural, calming agent to aid relaxation. Brewing a delicious and aromatic beverage by infusing lavender in water is a popular way to enjoy this herb.

Bergamot oil has been used in Italian folk medicine for centuries to address issues like fever and skin health. The cold-pressed essential oil does, in fact, contain furanocoumarins, natural compounds that create potential safety concerns.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), it is generally safe to consume lavender in the small amounts typically found in foods. However, the key to safe consumption lies in understanding the significant differences between concentrated essential oil and culinary-grade extracts.

According to the Ontario Poison Centre, clove oil is one of the essential oils with a high toxicity risk, and swallowing it can cause serious symptoms. This is because it contains a powerful compound called eugenol, and even a little bit of clove oil can be dangerous, especially for children.