Part 8: Current State of Essential Oil Toxicity
The study of essential oil toxicity is still an emerging science. Because of ethical considerations, it is likely impossible that complete human data will ever be collected; however, there are still beneficial ways to predict toxicity levels, and in turn, understand appropriate dosages. doTERRA is 100 percent committed to not conducting any clinical or experimental research on animals, but published animal studies may provide some insight due to anatomic and physiological similarities to humans. Previous animal studies, conducted by independent researchers, have provided helpful clues about human toxicity. To protect the safety of the animals and prevent unnecessary pain or death, all studies conducted on animals are required to undergo a preliminary screening by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IUCAC). This committee reviews the exact details of every research study conducted on animals to ensure that they receive proper and ethical treatment.
Additionally, there is little scientific evidence surrounding essential oil use during pregnancy. Although much anecdotal evidence suggests that there may be a benefit to using essential oils during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the scientific literature is not thorough enough to make recommendations. For this reason, essential oils should only be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding under the observation of a medical professional. The necessary studies needed to fully understand the benefits and risks of using essential oils during pregnancy and breastfeeding are unlikely to ever be conducted due to ethical concerns.
Important Findings from Current Research:
- Every essential oil interacts differently, so toxicity data is needed for each individual oil
- More potent oils require greater dilution and smaller doses
- All application methods, including aromatic, topical, and internal use are safe when used appropriately
- Appropriate doses are different for each individual person and should be tailored to fit each person’s need. For example, age, weight, size, and general health status all influence the amount of essential oil required. An adult male would require a larger dose than an infant to achieve the proper dose. For this reason, no specific dose recommendations are given. Instead, it is recommend that each person start with a low dose, and then gradually increase the dose to achieve their desired health benefit.