Listed with
Oils that are unsuitable for use in Aromatherapy
These essential oils are generally considered too dangerous to be used in Aromatherapy. They are all either narcotic, toxic, capable of causing miscarriage, likely to provoke epileptic type fits or can seriously damage the skin. Some of them can present more than one of these hazards.
Bitter almond / Prunis amygdalis var.amara
Aniseed / Pimpinella anisum
Arnica / Arinca montana
Boldo leaf / Peumus boldus
Calamus / Acorus calamus
Camphor / Cinnamomum camphora
Cassia / Cinnamomum cassia
Cinnamon bark / Cinnamomum Zeylanicum
Costus / Saussurea lappa
Elecampane / Inula helenium
Fennel (bitter) / Foeniculum vulgare
Horseradish / Cochlearia armorica
Jaborandi leaf / Pilocarpus jaborandi
Mugwort (armoise) / Artemisia vulgaris
Mustard / Brassica nigra
Origanum / Origanum vulgaris
Penny royal / Hedeoma pulegioides
Pine (dwarf) / Pinus pumilio
Rue / Ruta graveolens
Sage / Salvia officinalis
Sassafras / Sassafras albidum
Savin / Juniperus sabina
Savory / Satureia
Southernwood / Artemisia abrotanum
Tansy / Tanacetum vulgare
Thuja / Thuja occidentalis/plicata
Wintergreen / Gaultheria procumbens
Wormseed / Chenopodium anthelminticum
Wormwood / Artemisia absinthium
Aniseed / Pimpinella anisum
Arnica / Arinca montana
Boldo leaf / Peumus boldus
Calamus / Acorus calamus
Camphor / Cinnamomum camphora
Cassia / Cinnamomum cassia
Cinnamon bark / Cinnamomum Zeylanicum
Costus / Saussurea lappa
Elecampane / Inula helenium
Fennel (bitter) / Foeniculum vulgare
Horseradish / Cochlearia armorica
Jaborandi leaf / Pilocarpus jaborandi
Mugwort (armoise) / Artemisia vulgaris
Mustard / Brassica nigra
Origanum / Origanum vulgaris
Penny royal / Hedeoma pulegioides
Pine (dwarf) / Pinus pumilio
Rue / Ruta graveolens
Sage / Salvia officinalis
Sassafras / Sassafras albidum
Savin / Juniperus sabina
Savory / Satureia
Southernwood / Artemisia abrotanum
Tansy / Tanacetum vulgare
Thuja / Thuja occidentalis/plicata
Wintergreen / Gaultheria procumbens
Wormseed / Chenopodium anthelminticum
Wormwood / Artemisia absinthium
These oils may be used with caution
Essential Oils that should not be used in pregnancy
Essential Oils that should not be used in pregnancy
Basil / Ocimum basilicum
Birch / Betula alba, B. lenta, B. alleghaniensis
Cedarwood / Cedrus atlantica
Clary sage / Salvia sclarea
Cypress / Cupressus sempervirens
Geranium / Pelargonium aspeum
Hyssop / yssopus officinalis
Jasmine /Jasminium officinale
Juniper / Juniperis communis
Marjoram / Origanum majorana
Myrrh / Commiphora myrrha
Nutmeg / Myristica fragrans
Peppermint / Mentha piperata
Rosemary / Rosemarinus officinalis
Tarragon / Artemesia dranunculus
Thyme / Thymus vulgaris
Birch / Betula alba, B. lenta, B. alleghaniensis
Cedarwood / Cedrus atlantica
Clary sage / Salvia sclarea
Cypress / Cupressus sempervirens
Geranium / Pelargonium aspeum
Hyssop / yssopus officinalis
Jasmine /Jasminium officinale
Juniper / Juniperis communis
Marjoram / Origanum majorana
Myrrh / Commiphora myrrha
Nutmeg / Myristica fragrans
Peppermint / Mentha piperata
Rosemary / Rosemarinus officinalis
Tarragon / Artemesia dranunculus
Thyme / Thymus vulgaris
Oils to be avoided during the first trimester
Camomile / Anthemis nobilis, et al.
Geranium / Pelargonium asperum
Lavender / Lavandular Vera
Rose / Rosa centifolia var.Damascus
Oils that should not be used by epileptics
Fennel (sweet) / Foeniculem vulgare
Hyssop / Hyssopus officinalis
Rosemary / Rosemarinus officinalis
Camomile / Anthemis nobilis, et al.
Geranium / Pelargonium asperum
Lavender / Lavandular Vera
Rose / Rosa centifolia var.Damascus
Oils that should not be used by epileptics
Fennel (sweet) / Foeniculem vulgare
Hyssop / Hyssopus officinalis
Rosemary / Rosemarinus officinalis
Skin irritants and skin sensitisers
Angelica / Angelica archangelica
Black pepper / Piper nigra
Cinnamon leaf / Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Citronella / Cymbopogon nardus
Photosensitivity
These essential oils can cause blotchy pigmentation or discolouration, and burning of the skin if exposed to strong sunlight or a tanning treatment soon after use. After 12 hours it will be safe to go into the sun again.
Bergamot / Citrus bergamia
Orange / Citrus aurantium
Lemon / Citrus limonum
Angelica / Angelica archangelica
Black pepper / Piper nigra
Cinnamon leaf / Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Citronella / Cymbopogon nardus
Photosensitivity
These essential oils can cause blotchy pigmentation or discolouration, and burning of the skin if exposed to strong sunlight or a tanning treatment soon after use. After 12 hours it will be safe to go into the sun again.
Bergamot / Citrus bergamia
Orange / Citrus aurantium
Lemon / Citrus limonum
This may seem like a frighteningly long list of oils which should either not be used at all or used with caution, but don’t be put off. There is a huge selection of essential oils which may be safely used.
