Liz
- Aug 24, 2020
- 6 min read

Are Essential Oils Essential?

Essential oils are a popular topic, especially within the medical field. As a nurse I take responsibility for educating myself on ways to improve patient outcomes, and I created this blog to share my findings with you. I appreciate natural and alternative remedies to avoid medication after medication, each with their own side effects. I value the holistic care of patients- treating each person individually while considering every aspect of their life as they journey towards wellness. Can essential oils really be the solution we're looking for? The cure-all that they claim to be? I am excited when I hear about new opportunities to treat various concerns organically, but pyramid schemes ("multilevel marketing") seem like a questionable way to bring around change in the medical field...

It boils down to this question: are essential oils just another fad or do they bring about effective results?

Let me just say that this topic has been difficult to find unbiased data on and will inevitably cause controversy regardless of my conclusion. I did try to avoid using results from websites selling essential oils to minimize bias as much as possible. Keep in mind that many of the studies done with essential oils were with animals, which generally show promising results but cannot directly correlate to human results. I will include all of my references so you can check me, but know that my goal is to find objective information through credible sources with no sway due to any potential personal bias.

Essential oil supporters argue the lack of medicinal access and reliable research is due to push back from the medical field, often blamed on big pharma fighting to keep its $$. I do not find these arguments to be unreasonable, as the medical field within the United States is certainly influenced by money and is slow to adopt new practices. That being said, it is also unsafe to use anything for medical concerns outside of FDA approved guidelines or consulting your healthcare provider. If you look into well known essential oil companies you will find a note that recommends you speak with a medical professional before using if you have any health concerns. These businesses are not run by medical professionals. The founder of Young Living (one of the largest essential oil distributors) has been sued multiple times for malpractice as he attempted to perform medical procedures and treat patients without any sort of medical licensure. Many claim their lives were regained because of the groundbreaking work Mr. Young did with essential oils, but others' lives were lost.

Choosing treatment options can be overwhelming, but it is imperative that you are aware and knowledgable about the pros and cons of each so that you can make an informed decision.

Essential oils are not without side effects or consequences and can cause severe reactions. Supplements and alternative therapies may not be considered medications or require prescriptions, but they alter various aspects of the body and can interact with other medications as well- not unlike sugar, caffeine, vitamins, or other commonly used substances. Here are some of the top recommended essential oils with usage suggestions and potential side effects- I hope this helps your journey to wellness!

Clary sage

Treats: uterine issues and labor pain (0, 1), menstrual periods or muscle cramps or tension (0, 2), acne or oily skin (0, 3), the flu (0, 4), cortisol and estrogen imbalance (0, 5, 6), and elevated blood pressures (7)
Warnings: can increase testosterone (8), can cause bleeding or miscarriage (2), can have a sedative effect and should not be used with medications such as barbiturates (2), do not use on children <2 (2), can cause seizures if ingested by children (CITE)

Eucalyptus

Treats: neuralgia (9), headache (9), leucorrhea (9), cystitis (9), infections (9,10), catarrh (9), cough, bronchitis, sinusitis, or asthma (9,11), wounds, cuts, or burns (9,11), herpes, lice, or insect bites (9,11), rheumatoid arthritis or muscle and joint pain (9,11), dandruff and/or psoriasis (9,11)
Warnings: can cause seizures if ingested, may interact with medications, do not apply undiluted to the skin, can cause low blood sugars (12)

Geranium

Treats: dermatitis, eczema, and aging skin (0,13), anxiety (0), endometriosis (0), bacterial and fungal infections (0,13), diabetes, menopausal problems, and uterine and breast cancer (0), pain, inflammation, and insect bites (0,13,14), wound and cut healing (0,13), acne (13), and works to promote blood clotting, increase urination, and as a deodorant (13)
Warnings: may burn or cause a rash, unknown effects with long term use or ingestion (15), not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding (16), and due to its vasoconstrictive effects it is not recommended with high blood pressure or heart disease as it increases the risk for heart attack and stroke (16)

Lavender

Treats: anxiety, sleep disturbances(0,17), bacterial infections, abrasions, burns and stress (0), headaches (0,18), skin problems (0), pain (0,19), and dysmenorrhea (0)
Warnings: long term use can cause gynecomastia, nausea and gastrointestinal issues with ingestion, "adverse neurological effects", and is not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding (20)

Lemon

Treats: acne and oily or dull skin (0), labor pain, nausea, vomiting, depression, and anxiety (0)
Warnings: do not use on babies <3 months old, it can increase sun sensitivity or cause phototoxicity, is toxic or inhalation or topical application on animals (21)

Peppermint

Treats: spasms and arthritis (0), inflammation and menstrual cramps (0,22), itching and infection (0,22), digestive issues and irritable bowel syndrome (0,22), hypotension (0), headaches, and congestion (0,22)
Warnings: the pharmacological action is due to menthol which causes irritation when applied directly to the skin or inhaled (0); can cause diarrhea, headaches, heartburn, rash, serious respiratory concerns, and/or inflammation of the kidneys (22)

Roman chamomile

Treats: inflammation and insomnia (0,23), muscle spasms and menstrual cramps (0, 23), gastrointestinal disorders and hemorrhoids (0,23), depression and anxiety (0), headaches and nausea (0,23), wounds, psoriasis, eczema, boils, sunburn and cold sores (0), and pain associated with joints, arthritis, sprains, and stings (0)
Warnings: can interact with other meds, do not use while pregnant or breastfeeding, can cause hypersensitivity or nausea, do not take with asthma (23)

Rosemary

Treats: indigestion and peptic ulcers (0,24), constipation, colitis, liver and gall-bladder issues (0,24), hypertension and atherosclerosis (0,24), rheumatoid arthritis (0), dementia and Alzheimer's (0,24), menstrual cramps (0,24), sperm motility (24), dandruff and hair loss (0), stroke and heart disease (24), cancer and infection (24)
Warnings: can cause stomach irritation, kidney damage, seizures, coma, heavy menstrual bleeding, vomiting, pulmonary edema, or miscarriage (24)

Tea tree

Treats: cold sores, abscesses, and blisters (0), acne and dandruff (0,25), insect bites, tuberculosis, cough, bronchitis, and asthma (0), vaginitis, cystitis, and pruritus (0), colds, fever, flu, and chickenpox (0)
Warnings: do not use with eczema; can cause gynecomastia, can cause itching, burning, scaling, redness, or dryness topically; is toxic when ingested and can cause confusion, decreased level of consciousness, muscle spasms, or loss of muscle control (25)

Ylang Ylang

Treats: depression and dysrhythmias (0), anxiety and hypertension (0,26), infection and lice (26), and dry or oily skin (0)
Warnings: associated with multiple allergens, poisonous to animals (27)

Ultimately conjunctive treatments are on the rise as Americans struggle to address addictive treatments readily given, various clinical concerns, and insurmountable medical bills. Can essential oils be the national solution? Studies seem to suggest a variety of benefits, but some of the things they claim to remedy seem drastic. Can they cure terminal illness or end autoimmune conditions? While you will always find someone to swear by something that saved their life, consistent evidence does not suggest that essential oils can make such drastic changes. While the benefits of essential oils show large potential, I do not believe there is a cure-all solution to be found within these oils or elsewhere. You have the right to choose how you will care for your body, but there are safety guidelines put in place for your own protection. Until the effectiveness can be thoroughly studied to ensure the outcomes are consistently better than the consequences, I cannot confidently conclude that the risk is worth it at this time. That being said, there are risks even with commonly used and accepted medications and supplements and you and your healthcare provider need to discuss the options for you individually. Here are my recommendations:

Safety suggestions:

discuss it with your physician
thoroughly research each oil and know the recommended dosage and route
watch for adverse reactions and know what toxicity looks like (28,29,30)
avoid ingestion- many sources warn of toxicity despite seller safety claims (28,29)
store where children cannot get to it

Purchasing tips:

look at the label: it should include the Latin name of the plant, information on purity, and the place of origin (31)
look at the company: purchase products from a reputable company (31)
look at the bottle: choose dark-colored, glass containers. Pure essential oils are highly concentrated and can dissolve plastic bottles over time, tainting the oil (31)
look at the ingredients: avoid "fragrance" or "perfume" oils, which are essential oils combined with chemicals. Instead, find 100% essential oils with no additives (31)
look at the price: essential oils range in price- if you find something drastically discounted it is likely impure (31)