Aromatherapy can go a long way towards helping you to regain your health and vitality but there are things that it cannot do. Sometimes, aromatherapy is not a practical option for you. (Like when you don’t want to walk into a meeting with oil all over your face.) Sometimes you want more immediate results, and, at these times, it may be more convenient to turn to conventional medicine.
If it is the exception rather than the rule, there is a place for conventional medicine in your life. If, on the other hand, you are in a situation where you are looking at taking pain killers every day for the rest of your life, then clearly conventional medicine is failing you and you need to look for an alternative answer.
Aromatherapy is Natural but Potent Aromatherapy is an all-natural therapy that has got some drawbacks. Just like with conventional medicine, there are contraindications to some oils - for example, Rosemary oil, if used during pregnancy, can cause you to miscarry. Hops oil can heighten the symptoms of depression. Combining Sage oil with regular drinking can cause a toxic overload in the system.
When people look at aromatherapy oils, they tend to look at them as a natural, safe cure, something akin to herbal teas. The problem with this outlook is that it is thus more open for abuse. Whilst the oils are generally safe to use, they must be used in the correct proportions and dilutions. Unlike herbal teas, they are the highly concentrated essences of the plants themselves and so need to be treated with respect.
Did you know, for example, that you should never apply oils neat to the skin or you will risk burning the skin? (The two exceptions are Tea Tree oil and Lavender oil.) Even Chamomile oil, gentle enough to use with young children, must be diluted before being applied directly to the skin.
Taken internally, these oils can even kill you, so they are not to be trifled with. Essential Oils Can Have Side Effects Though side effects from using essential oils tend to be mild, they can occur. Some oils like Peppermint, for example, can irritate the skin. Some oils, like Bergamot, for example, can react with sunlight and cause the skin to darken or become irritated.
Fortunately, there is not a lot in terms of downsides when it comes to using essential oils, if you are careful about how and where you use them. Always research the oils that you are considering using and you will be able to see whether they are contraindicated for you. If they are, it is no big deal, you simply must find a different oil to use.