We’ve all heard about the hype and maybe some of us have even dabbled in it (I can neither confirm nor deny!). Essential oils are definitely powerful - after all, they are basically the extremely concentrated form of medicinal herbs and spices. As such, it’s tempting to assume that they are as beneficial to ingest as their counterparts.

The reality is though that they are incredibly strong. While they may kill off the cold that you caught, that’s not all they willkill! Let’s deal with this question once and for all: is it ACTUALLY safe to ingest essential oils?

1) Highly Concentrated& Potentially Toxic

Essential oils are incredibly potent because they are extracted using highly concentrated methods. The most common process, steam distillation, uses heat to vaporize plant oils before condensing them into a purified form. Cold pressing mechanically extracts oils from citrus peels, while solvent extraction is used for delicate flowers, dissolving their aromatic compounds into a powerful essence. Each method captures the most potent plant properties, resulting in oils that are far stronger than their original herbs or fruits—a little goes a long way!

It’s no surprise then that ingesting them can definitely overwhelm your system. I can personally attest that it is probably not a good idea to take antibacterial essential oils for a month straight. (In my defense, I thought I was going to fortify myself for the winter and instead I killed off all my body’s good bacteria, causing me to catch the worst respiratory virus I have ever had!)

Some essential oils, like eucalyptus and tea tree, can be toxic even in small doses, potentially causing nausea, dizziness, or more serious reactions. For safety, it's best to avoid ingesting essential oils altogether.

2) Risk of Organ Damage

The damage of ingesting essential oils can go further than killing off your gut bacteria unfortunately.

Unlike herbal teas or extracts, essential oils are not water-soluble, making them difficult for your liver and kidneys to process.

Over time, ingestion may contribute to liver toxicity or digestive irritation, especially without proper dilution.

3) Lack of Scientific Support

Despite the online buzz as an effective home remedy,essential oils are not widely suggested by medical professionals as safe totake internally. You would be sore pressed to find an actual doctor whowould prescribe them. There just hasn’t been enough research on their useand in what amounts.

So, what are they good for then? Don’t worry. Even though you can’t ingest them, essential oils have many proven topical andaromatic benefits! Those benefits can be achieved through safer methodslike diffusion or skincare, reducing unnecessary health risks.

Where do I get my hands on some topical essential oils, you might ask? Well, we’ve got good news for you. Our Rooted for Good products are made with quality essential oils! Whatever your need, we have a product with essential oils to meet that need. Take a look at our store!

Growing and Learning Together,

Anna Ketterling

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!