Aromatherapy involves the holistic application and use of essential oils to support the health and well-being of the individual. Although aromatic plants have been used by humans for thousands of years, aromatherapy as we know it today is relatively young.

Aromatherapy is amazing and dynamic because it can be used for so many things. From (skin) cleansing products to therapeutic inhalers to beautiful body butters that will nourish and support the skin or to medicinal products that can be used to support the body's own healing processes!

Essential oils must be used ethically and responsibly. The most common adverse side effects of using essential oils are skin irritation, skin sensitization, nausea, headaches, and skin burns (e.g., using a photosensitizing oil such as bergamot – Citrus bergamia) and allergic reactions. While these side effects are generally extremely rare, it's important to know the safety of any essential oil you use and the person you use it on.

Safety depends on several factors
Many consumers are unaware of the potential risks of using essential oils and whether these highly concentrated plant extracts are safe for general use.

Whether a specific oil is safe depends on several factors, including Age - Underlying health problems and Medication or supplement use.

When it comes to the oil, it's important to consider the composition of the ingredients - Method of use - Operating time or time of use and Dosage.

Safe use in general: 
  • Always keep essential oils out of the reach of children.
  • Only diffuse essential oils while the diffuser is on if children are older than 3 years. Only and if the oils used are also suitable for this age category and no longer than half an hour.
  • Younger children are allowed in a room where the diffuser has been switched on. Only and if the oils used are also suitable for this age category.
  • Do not use essential oils internally unless advised by a licensed aromatherapist.
  • Be extra careful with the use of essential oils if you are pregnant, have an active desire to have children or are breast-feeding.
  • Essential oils can influence the effect of regular or homeopathic medication. The essential oils of Peppermint and Eucalyptus are known to disrupt or even stop the effect of homeopathic medication. Always consult a doctor or a certified homeopath or aromatherapist before use.
  • Essential oil should ALWAYS be diluted when used on the skin. Do not experiment yourself! Always consult a physician or licensed aromatherapist.
  • Citrus oils have photosensitizing properties. Avoid direct sunlight for at least 24 hours, and do not use a tanning bed. Also, do not go into a hot bath after use. Direct exposure to sunlight, UV light and hot water can cause severe burns.
  • Patients with Epilepsy should always consult a doctor or certified aromatherapist first!
  • Diffuse in front of pets only if your pets can get out of the room!

Safety by age group
The number of safe essential oils to use changes as the age group of client’s changes. In particular, babies, children, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, the elderly and the seriously ill are categories to be extra careful with when using and dosing essential oils.

Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and young children
The younger the child, the more careful you must be when using essential oil. It will come as no surprise to anyone that the skin of a newborn baby is different from the skin of an adult. Cells in the stratum corneum are also less close to each other, so that the skin is more open, as it were. The skin cells are not sufficiently close to each other until the middle of the sixth year of life.

Only when a baby is 1.5 years old, he/she can 'cough' until that time, the muscles are not yet sufficiently developed for this. Organs such as the liver and kidneys are not fully developed until around the age of 12.

Even more reason to stick very carefully to very low doses of essential oils.
In general, and if an essential oil is allowed, the following dosage ratios apply:

For children between:
- 0 to 2 years: 10% of the dose
- 2 to 7 years: 50% of the dose
- 7 to 12 years: 75% of the dose

What to do in case of incidents:
  • Skin contact with essential oil can cause irritation and rash. In case of skin contact, immediately apply a fatty vegetable oil, such as olive oil.
  • Internal use of essential oils is not recommended. In the unlikely event of internal use, immediately take plenty of whole milk or fatty plant oil! Do not (let) vomit. Consult a doctor immediately and take the oil bottle with you when you visit a doctor.
  • In case of eye contact, rinse immediately, and generously, with fatty vegetable oil such as olive oil. Consult a doctor immediately and take the oil bottle with you when you visit a doctor.
(*) Essential oil does not dissolve in water! Therefore, in case of eye contact or ingesting essential oil, always use a fatty plant oil to rinse the eyes or ingest it.

NOTE:
j'Olie et Co always mention what too pay attention to when using essential oil or essential oil blends. The information we provide is never intended as a substitute for medical treatment. Consult your physician or health care professional before using aromatherapy or if you have a known medical condition or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or wish to become pregnant.

Always read the label or prescription before using any essential oil or essential oil blend! Before using essential oils for therapeutic purposes, you should first consult a doctor or a trained and certified aromatherapist.

Use and applications of essential oils are not the responsibility of j'Olie et Co Aromatherapy!