Essential Oil Safety FAQs
Are essential oils only for aromatherapy?
NOW® Essential Oils are highly concentrated plant and botanical extracts intended for aromatherapeutic use. Because these extracts are highly concentrated and potent, we recommend consulting with a trained professional or referencing other reputable resources for recommended dilutions before using essential oils for any purpose other than aromatherapy.
Infants, children, and pets may be highly sensitive to essential oils, even when used as directed in a diffuser. Always diffuse essential oils in well-ventilated areas, especially in the presence of children, pregnant/nursing women, pets, or individuals with respiratory or other medical conditions.
Are NOW® Essential Oils food grade? If so, are they safe to take internally?
NOW® essential oil products are intended solely for use as aromatherapy products; they’re not intended for internal use. Many of our essential oils are clearly labeled “Not for internal use” due to the fact that they’re highly concentrated, and for other safety considerations. Read more here.
Can essential oils be used topically?
Some essential oils can be highly irritating to the skin, and direct skin contact with essential oils should be avoided. Do not use any undiluted essential oil directly on the skin, especially the skin of infants, children or pets, unless directed by a healthcare practitioner. Access our dilution calculator for essential oils here.
Are essential oils safe to use while pregnant?
When choosing what oils to use when pregnant, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider for advice. If you and your doctor or midwife decide that essential oils will work in your pregnancy routine, you should still read label language carefully before use. Recent research indicates that not all essential oils are safe for use during pregnancy. Overall, there is not sufficient safety data available on the majority of essential oils and their use during pregnancy, so we recommend you always put safety first, read labels, and consult your healthcare provider. Read more about essential oils and pregnancy here.
Are essential oils safe to use in the bath?
As is the nature of essential oils, all NOW essential oils are highly concentrated and are not water soluble, making it necessary to dilute them for dispersible use in spa-like applications such as a relaxing soak in the bathtub. Using essential oils directly in bath water will result in them sitting on top of the water which will very likely cause irritation. For those with extremely sensitive skin, it may be advised to simply diffuse essential oils in the bathroom during a bath instead of using the oils in the water. Simply inhaling their scent can offer plenty of aromatherapy benefits. At NOW, our in-house chemists and scientists recommend a few essential oils that can be utilized in bathing routines and suggest exercising caution or complete avoidance with others (see full lists and more information about essential oils for bath use in our essential oil infographic).
Are essential oils safe for use around and on children?
Just like adults, children can benefit from aromatherapy through use in a diffuser or properly diluted topical application. However, caution should be used since essential oils naturally are heavily concentrated. Children may have unknown allergies that will make use of certain essential oils off-limits for them, even essential oils that may be deemed generally safe for children of their age. That being said, you should always exercise caution when introducing children to essential oils. When in doubt, get it approved by a licensed practitioner before use. For more information about essential oils and children, read this article.
Are essential oils safe to use around dogs and cats?
While there are a variety of benefits for humans, our experts advise caution when using essential oils around pets. Animals are very different from people, and the way they metabolize and eliminate undesirable substances from their bodies is very different as well.
Label cautions and usage
Each of our essential oils has been reviewed for safety, and specific instructions for their use can be found on the label and our website. Please follow our label cautions, which are there for your safety and are based on authoritative sources.
Essential oil recipes found on our site have been carefully crafted and evaluated by professionals; deviation from these recipes is not recommended.
Although our essential oils are pure and produced without chemical additives, due to strict regulatory requirements, pure essential oils sold for aromatherapy cannot be labeled as food-grade or bear instructions for topical or internal use.
