Answering The Most Asked Essential Oil Questions

I have recently featured a three-part series on essential oil safety. We covered issues such as how to apply oils, the correct dilution, internal use, if they’re safe for children and pets, and how they interact with medication.

Today I want to share some of the most asked questions by people who are still hesitant to try essential oils. 

Essential Oil Q&A

I want to use essential oils with my pets. Are they safe to use with animals?
Unfortunately, we have no specific protocol regarding the use of essential oils with animals. Many people have found success using essential oils with large animals such as horses or dogs, but have found that smaller animals, such as cats, typically do not respond as well. We recommend visiting one of the quality websites managed by independent essential oil users groups for more information. It would also be prudent to consult with a veterinarian before using essential oils with your pets.

Can I use essential oils on my children?
If you have kids in your house, I bet you are discovering the powerful ways in which dōTERRA oils and products can support a healthy lifestyle. Perhaps you’re a little nervous to use oils on your kids; maybe you’re not sure if they’re entirely safe for the younger set.

If you are nervous about using essential oils on the younger set, click here for some things to keep in mind

Do I need to dilute essential oils with a carrier oil?
How essential oils permeate the skin when applied topically is a fascinating process, and one of the most important concepts in understanding how essential oils influence our health. Essential oils are lipophilic, meaning they are attracted to and are soluble in fatty substances. Diluting essential oils in a carrier before application accentuates this property, providing a number of benefits.

Read more on Essential oil topical application here:

What if I have an adverse reaction to a product?
dōTERRA wants you to be 100% satisfied with your dōTERRA products. If you believe your reaction was caused by a doTERRA product, we recommend discontinuing use and consulting a healthcare professional. If you feel a return is necessary, please contact our product support team for assistance. You can contact them at productsupport@doterra.com.

Is it possible to use too much essential oil?
Essential oils are very safe if used appropriately. They are very potent so it is important to remember that more is not always better. Generally it is best to use small doses more frequently instead of large doses all at once.

See recommended daily amounts here:

Is it safe for children to take doTERRA supplements?
We recommend that children begin by eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products, while also reducing the amount of sugar and processed foods they consume. We do have 3 supplements designed specifically for children, the IQ mega, a2z chewable, and PB Assist Jr. An eight year old adolescent can safely take a half dose or less of the Lifelong Vitality products. If they are unable to swallow capsules, you can open the capsule and add the contents to food. However, both the the Alpha CRS+ and xEO Mega have very potent flavors that may be difficult to mask.

Whenever you give a supplement to a young person, it is important to remember to start with the lowest dose per delivery system of the product (one capsule) and make sure they take it with food.

How many drops of essential oils can be safely used per day?
It is important to remember that our oils are very potent and that each individual will react differently to them. For this reason we do not have a specific recommendation on dosing other than what is indicated on the bottle. We suggest starting with one drop and slowly increase the amount until the desired therapeutic effect has been achieved. Smaller doses administered throughout the day have been proven to be more effective than a single large dose.

Read more on the recommended daily amounts here:

I’ve heard that essential oils can damage my liver. Is this true?
Read more on Essential Oil Metabolism here:

Are all doTERRA essential oils safe for internal use?
Most essential oils are approved for internal use. Some are just not beneficial that way. Here is a link to a reference chart that will show which oils are recommended for which application method.

Read more on internal usage here:

Will taking essential oils internally tear up my mucous membranes?
Some fear that using essential oils aromatically, orally, or internally will damage mucous membranes. That fear is unfounded after a quick examination of how they work and what research has found.

Read more on mucous membranes and essential oils here:

Can essential oils be used in a plastic water bottle? I have heard some have the ability to break down plastics.
Citrus oils have compounds in them that dissolve some plastics. Citrus oils are perfectly safe for use, but interact chemically with plastics in a way that breaks them down. Other essential oils can also interact with plastics but do so on a much smaller scale.

It is recommended to use glass or steel drinking containers with oils, but some plastic water bottles may be ok if not reused and only a small amount of oil is added. If you are not sure if the plastic is safe, you could add a drop of the oil to the outside and make sure there was no change to the plastic after a few minutes. Plastics designed specifically for use with essential oils (caps, diffusers, orifices, etc.) are made of a very high quality plastic that have stronger bonds and longer chain lengths that are not broken up by essential oils called HDPE. HDPE plastics will not be affected by essential oils.

Where is the best place to apply essential oils topically?
There are many places on the body where an essential oil can be applied topically including the bottom of the feet, neck, wrist, abdomen, etc. Applying heat or massaging the oil in will increase blood flow and absorption.

Read more on topical application here:

Essential Oil Frequently Asked Questions| GroovyBeets.com

Leann Forst, MBA, CHC — Family Health & Cancer Coach

Leann is a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and Certified Essential Oils Coach, holding a Master’s degree from Drake University and a Bachelor of Science from Upper Iowa University. Leann is accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. And she is an award winning author of 2 books How to Get Your Kids to Beg for Veggies and 100 Ways to Lose Weight”.

Born and raised as an Iowa farm girl, she moved to Texas in 1998 where she lives with her husband and 2 kids.

As a wife of a brain cancer survivor, Leann has a special interest in anti-cancer nutrition and detoxification. She works with individuals and groups, and speaks regularly at hospitals, schools and organizations to teach people how to attain optimal health by getting to the root cause of chronic and inflammatory conditions, while using healing modalities such as essential oils. Click here to get Leann’s free report, “37 Cancer Facts You Should Know…But Probably Don’t”. And take Leann’s Nutrient Deficiency Quiz here.

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