Sponsored: On Essential Oils: Is Natural Better?

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Sponsored: On Essential Oils: Is Natural Better?

Essential oils are often talked about as a natural product and remedy when it comes to aromatherapy, i.e. certain scents may be pleasant and calming if used in diffusers.

Essential oils can also be used topically ( on the skin) as an ingredient in lotions, soaps and perfumes. Some essential oils can added to foods for flavoring. But this is a good reminder that even natural products can be hazardous if used inappropriately or in large amounts.

• Rashes on skin – Some essential oils, when applied directly to the skin, can causes skin irritation and rashes (Peppermint Oil) and some may even be poisonous for children and infants (Camphor).

• Breathing difficulties – If used in a diffuser, some oils at higher concentrations can exacerbate asthma and cause difficulty breathing especially in infants and children. (Peppermint oil) . (Special note about your pets. Cats and dogs have much keener ability to smell than humans and using essential oils in a diffuser may be an irritant to them.)

• Poisonous if consumed – Many oils are not meant for consumption or use in food products. Sage oil has caused seizures in children. Camphor and Eucalyptus can cause seizures. Nutmeg oil when used in high amounts can cause hallucinations and coma.

• Endocrine (hormone) disruptors – Both Lavender and Tea Tree oil have been linked to hormone disruption when used in diffusers.

Related Items

Bottom Line: Using natural products medicinally can be problematic as they have often not been tested or researched for this purpose and so they lack actual evidence of benefit or safety. Please be aware of signs and symptoms that you or your child or your pet may be sensitive or allergic to essential oils and speak to your family medical provider.

Sources: Poison Control – poison.org

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

Ingles Markets Corporate Dietitian

twitter.com/InglesDietitian

facebook.com/LeahMcgrathDietitian

800-334-4936

Tags:

Haywood TDA revokes grant after vetting mistake

Clarification: In the original version of this sto...

Comment

Bryson City residents decry water rate increase

It’s been a long time coming, in a sense, but fr...

Comment

Sylva approves Economic Development Advisory Committee

Last week, the Sylva Town Board approved rules and...

Comment

SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM

Contribute >

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Dinner — Something for Everyone?

Whether it’s a family gathering or a co-worker get together, what kind of meal can you make that will please everyone?

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Stories of dining during a disaster

Hurricane Helene was and continues to be a traumatic event for our region, but even within the worst of it, there are stories of resilience and ingenuity in ways that many had to deal with making or getting meals while having no power or water for days.

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Ways to (Continue to) Help Western NC

There are many churches and community relief and service organizations that are and will continue to help in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Please make sure you check on what local area churches may be doing or need in terms of donations. Money is often the best thing to donate so they can buy what they need. Volunteer time is also often appreciated.

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Post Hurricane

It is difficult to know what to write after a disaster of the magnitude caused by Hurricane Helene. It certainly teaches us the importance of coming together as a community to check on and help our friends and neighbors, and how vital our emergency response teams, first responders, National Guard, churches, shelters for both humans and animals, and relief organizations are in times like this.