Aromatherapy

Special Precautions of Aromatherapy

There has been an upsurge in the incidence of various forms of cancer, and the carcinogenesis (the stimulation of growth of cancerous cells) effect of various substances are continuously looked at to try and identify any carcinogenic substances and so help people from steering away from them.

• Carcinogenic oils : There are some essential oils that are carcinogenic and have already been banned from use in aromatherapy as well as for internal usage. The oils in question are calamus oil (contains asorone), and all oils that contain high amounts of safrole like sassafras oil which is also found in yellow and brown camphor.Other compounds found in essential oils that may be carcinogenic is methyl chavicol, which is found in basil oil. This statement does not make basil a dangerous oil, but care should be taken to select the basil oil with the highest linalool content and lowest methyl chavicol content.It must however be pointed out that studies showed these oils as carcinogenic when applied daily in high concentration over a period of months.
• Using essential oils when you have cancer : If you have cancer there are some points to keep in mind when using essential oils and aromatherapy:Keep massage light, and avoid deep massage over muscles as well as near the lymph glands.Do not massage areas that have been irradiated.Do not massage areas that have skin cancers.Various writers on health, cancer and medical conditions have compiled lists of oils which should not be used when you have cancer.
• Essential oils to avoid when you have cancer: Aniseed,Basil Bay, Clove, Cinnamon, Fennel, Ho leaf, Laurel, Nutmeg, Star anise .
• Essential oils to avoid when you have estrogen (oestrogen) dependant cancers: Aniseed, Citronella, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Lemongrass, Star anise, Verbena
• Essential oils to avoid when you have skin cancers and melanomas: Bergamot And all sun sensitizing oils.