Table of contents:
- Although natural, that does not mean aromatherapy is safe
- Aromatherapy side effects that may occur
- 1. Toxicity to children if swallowed
- 2. Make your skin more sunburnt
- 3. Skin irritation
- 4. Increase the risk of heart disease
- 5. Asthma
Aromatherapy has been widely recognized for its properties, especially to relieve stress and even restore mood. Apart from the benefits for the body, the use of aromatherapy turns out to have bad effects that can be detrimental to your health if used incorrectly. Read on for aromatherapy side effects.
Although natural, that does not mean aromatherapy is safe
Many studies support this benefit essential oil or essential oils and show that they have positive effects such as reducing pain, anxiety, memory enhancement and many more.
However, according to Brent A. Bauer, MD, internal medicine doctor and director of the Mayo Clinic Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program say if used incorrectly, there are dangerous consequences of essential oils. The reason is, no matter how healthy a substance is, in addition to its beneficial effects, of course there are negative effects that can be caused. That's why, whether it's medicinal, herbal or essential oil, all must be used according to the rules.
Aromatherapy side effects that may occur
Here are some of the side effects of aromatherapy that you should be aware of:
1. Toxicity to children if swallowed
There are many essential oils that should never be used in aromatherapy because they are potentially toxic. This is because some essential oils are very concentrated and have varying degrees of toxicity if not used properly. In fact, some aromatic plant oils, including essential oils, can be toxic when ingested.
Based on available data, there have been many cases of children poisoned by ingesting essential oils. Therefore, for parents who use aromatherapy oils, keep these oils well and keep them out of reach of children.
2. Make your skin more sunburnt
Some of the essential oils used in aromatherapy increase the skin's sensitivity to direct and prolonged sun exposure. You should not use aromatherapy oils such as angelica root, bergamot, cumin, lemon or orange on areas that are exposed to the sun often. The reason is, your skin will be more prone to sunburn.
Also, some of the substances in essential oils may be more risky for pregnant women. That is why, if you are pregnant and want to use aromatherapy, it is better to consult your doctor first to avoid side effects.
3. Skin irritation
One of the most common side effects of aromatherapy is skin irritation or an allergic reaction. This will cause a rash, itching and a burning sensation. However, this skin irritation can vary, depending on how sensitive a person's skin is. Therefore, you have to do a test first before using the oil more on your skin.
The trick, dab a little aromatherapy oil on the skin to see the reaction caused. If after applying redness, itching, and burning sensation on the skin, you should stop using topical aromatherapy.
4. Increase the risk of heart disease
Aromatherapy essential oil vapor can indeed reduce stress, but according to a study published in The European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, it can be dangerous to your health.
The study, which involved 100 spa workers in Taipei, asked participants to inhale aromatherapy while monitoring their blood pressure and heart rate. The result, found an increase in blood pressure and heart rate in participants after they inhaled aromatherapy for 2 hours. This proves that too long inhaling aromatherapy can increase the risk of slowly damaging your heart.
5. Asthma
The content of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), volatile organic matter from the liquid form contained in aromatherapy, will have an impact on increasing the risk of inflammation in the body, disrupting nervous system function and can cause allergic reactions to the respiratory tract. For this reason, those of you who have asthma and are prone to nose bleeding or known as nosebleeds, should be careful using it.
