Are Essential Oils safe? Is it possible that essential oils (EOs) can cause headaches or migraines? I first asked this question on my Mariposa Naturals blog in November of 2012. It became the most popular blog post on my website, even now, over 5 years later.
Essential Oils are Powerful
Essential oils have become immensely popular in recent years. And I personally have found them to be beneficial, at times. Essential oils are also highly concentrated and therefore very powerful. For example, it takes 10,000 roses to make 5 ml (= one teaspoon) of rose essential oil.
That concentrated power can be a problem. There are many of us in the world that are super-sensitive to chemicals, even natural ones. When I first wrote about my experience with EOs, I had no idea just how many people had encountered similar issues. Until I started getting comments to that blog post.
A Cautionary Tale
Before I continue, I want to tell you upfront that my purpose is absolutely NOT to bash Essential Oils. I have EOs and have found them to be very beneficial. As stated, they are also very potent. While they can be beneficial, their potency also requires a bit of caution when using them. Thus, I have written this post as a cautionary note for those considering the use of EOs.
How Some Are Harmed by EOs
I can’t say that I thought I was the only one bothered by essential oils, though I was surprised by how many people had similar issues. You can hop on over to the original post if you want to read them all. Often, people were not given proper instruction in the use of EOs oils. They were applying or diffusing full-strength oils. And those EOs were causing migraines, headaches, and other health issues. Others, like myself, have found that some EOs are a problem at any strength.
Many of these people have been told that essential oils cannot cause any harm. That the oils will cure their migraines. I have been told this by people who refused to listen to anything different. I have friends who sell EOs and they understand the power that they hold. Not all sales people do. In reading the comments, it seems that some sales people make claims about essential oils curing headaches and migraines. First, this is medical advice given by an unqualified person. Second, it is malpractice. Third, it is dangerous and wrong.
Common Sense Essential Oil Use
My intent is not to put down essential oils. Instead, I want to help people to understand just how powerful they can be. And I have some common sense tips:
For the person selling essential oils:
- Educate yourself before you start selling these oils.
- Recognize and acknowledge that they are not for everyone.
- Educate your clients on the safe and proper use of essential oils.
For the first time user of essential oils:
Following these tips can help to make your use of essential oils safe, for you, your family and friends, and your pets.
- First and foremost, understand that EOs are not for everyone, and they may not be for you.
- Educate yourself on the safe use of EOs.
- If you’re buying EOs from someone who insists they are safe for everyone, run away. Find someone reputable to buy your oils from.
- Use them sparingly, a little goes a long way.
- Don’t use them around people who are sensitive to EOs.
- Always, always, always dilute them. Here’s why: Dangers of Not Diluting Essential Oils
- Always test your reaction with a small, diluted drop of an EO. If you’re not sure what type of adverse reaction you can expect, consider reading this article on adverse reactions to EOs.
- Test your reaction with a small, diluted drop of an EO before you diffuse that oil. If possible, even before you spend money on a diffuser.
- If you have pets and plan to diffuse oils, read this article: Are Essential Oils Harmful to Cats and Dogs?
Are Essential Oils Safe?
That’s a question for each of us to decide for themselves. We are all different and we all react differently. I know that I am very sensitive to fragrances and strong odors, so I am very cautious in my use of essential oils. If you decide they are safe for you, please keep in mind the suggestions above, especially when using them around other people or your pets.
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7 thoughts on “Are Essential Oils Safe? Can They Cause Migraines and Headaches?”
I seem to NOT be able to use any type of EO that is for calming like Ylang Ylang, Lavender, cedarwood or anything like that. I have tried several drops to a few drops but it all gives me headaches that turn to migraines. Now I can however use energized types like Spearmint but for only 30 minutes at a time. But most common I use the EO on me. I have several “blended” types and I use them for when I get migraines to help me with nausea and the pain. So I am thinking I can only do Spearmint or peppermint types for short bits and only then the topical ones. But that is fine. I was shocked on how much is out there about people getting migraines from it as I thought it was just me. I am sensitive to smells sometimes.
Hi Dena,
So sorry that you’re having headaches and migraines from Essential Oils. Have you considered also diluting with a carrier oil? I use almond oil to dilute them, for the EOs that I can actually use.
I left a comment on the original article before popping over here.
I diffused orange (wonderful!) and added a little eucalyptus and rosemary and WHOA! My throat started to get tight and scratchy just like if I was walking through a florist shop.
So, word to the wise – if you can’t tolerate flowers, don’t diffuse any plants. (Or do so VERY carefully.)
I will try these again, on their own, and only a single drop. (If I can manage to pour just a single drop from the jar!)
Caroline, starting with just one oil is a good idea, but you may want to dilute it with a carrier oil. That way there’s less EO in the diffuser. Good luck!
What about bergamot tea? Cause headaches?.
Hi Jackie. I haven’t seen bergamot tea listed as a trigger for headaches and migraines. Are you getting headaches from it? In my experience, I have found things that aren’t really listed as triggers that can still give me a headache or migraine. I’ve found if I avoid a suspected item until I’m headache free and then try it, then I’ll have a better answer. Sometimes I have to do this more than once. Good luck!
Barbara,
I read your original post on this issue….thank you for your input and post. I’m one of those people who is very sensitive to ‘some’ essential oils but do not know which ones. I know which ones do not make me sick for sure but am afraid to sit down with all of them and try to find out because of how sick I get.
I didn’t know that I had sensitivities until the past couple of years but now looking back I remember that one day I went into the office and one of my co-workers had on a new perfume ‘Poison’ by Christian Dior….and I smelled it then immediately after I fled down the hallway to the bathroom because I felt as though I was going to vomit. Luckily I didn’t but I did become very nauseated. So here I am 30 years later and I can’t go near the store ‘Lush’ or go into some of the big candle stores. What I find so interesting is that I can go into Bath and Body Works which I find funny because I know that their products aren’t of the highest quality.
The moment I smell certain essential oils I immediately get an upset stomach that lasts the entire day. If I wasn’t taking doctor’s prescribed ‘Topomax ‘ each and every day then I would be getting the migraines to go with it.
You had mentioned VOC and another toxin listed in your previous article and the quality of what went into the oils depending on the manufacturer. I wanted to mention something else to you that you might not have thought of: the environment that the plants and trees are living in is not clean by any means, in fact if you do some research on chemtrails I think you might find that our environment is being polluted. I will leave it at that and let you and the readers do your own research but I’m just not sure how successfup the filtration process…if any…. the plants and trees that are used in the making of the essential oils actually is. This could have a major impact on the final product especially once it is concentrated. Just a thought!