The Dangers of Aromatherapy

Sophie Barland of The Daily Mail wrote a very interesting article on Can aromatherapy oils poison you? How tiny particles 'may damage liver and kidneys'. She said:

They are meant to soothe aches and pains, relieve stress and induce a sense of relaxation.

But aromatherapy oils may in fact do more harm than good, according to scientists.

They have claimed that the extracts – used in baths, massages or burned in rooms – react with the air to produce tiny irritant particles.

Researchers found that when the so-called essential oils were used in relaxation spas for massages, the concentration of these potentially harmful particles increased tenfold.

The scientists said that certain chemicals in the oils, called volatile organic compounds, mix with the air to form secondary organic aerosols.

These particles irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and are also known to cause headaches, nausea, and damage to the liver and kidneys.

This study only examined the size and number of these particles released when people had massages in spas.
However other research has shown they are also produced by burning essential oils in the home or office – although not to the same extent.

Essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus and peppermint are extracted from plants and trees.

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