Many essential oils can be ingested- taken by the mouth or eaten. You can cook with foods that contain essential oils in them such as lemongrass, ginger or cinnamon. You can also use them in teas to create our own herbal tea remedy. A few popular teas would be chamomile tea or peppermint tea. A few other common ways to ingest them is through capsule form, adding a few drops to your beverage or food dish or by adding a few drops of essential oils under your tongue for fast absorption. So which is best for you?
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Different Ways to Ingest Essential Oils
Cook With Them
One of the best ways to use essential oils internally is to add them to your culinary dishes. It is an extremely safe and easy way to enjoy the benefits of essential oils internally. It also adds some extra flavor to your dish!
When adding essential oils to you dish, use 2-3 drops only. Remember, essential oils are highly concentrated. And before you go adding essential oils to your beverages, remember oil and water don’t mix. Be sure to mix it with a carrier oil such as coconut oil before adding it to your drinks. You may end up with a sore throat is you don’t take this step.
If you’d prefer, you can also cook with fresh herbs (such as oregano and peppermint), fruits and vegetables. They also can give the benefits of essential oils.
Drink Herbal Teas
Herbal teas are created with dried flowers, leaves and herbs. These dried plant particles contain a good amount of essential oils. These herbal teas can come in an array of different flavors. You can even get them for different purposes such as relaxation, pain relief or to aid in body system functions. Give them a try!
Stash Tea Fruity Herbal Tea 6 Flavor
Bigelow Herbal Tea 6 Flavor Variety Pack
Soothing Herbal Tea 6 Flavor Variety Pack
Essential Oil Capsules
If you want to have a more therapeutic result from essential oils, capsule form may be for you. There are many dofferent combinations and blends of essential oils that can help in different ways. Some can help with allergies and boost immunity while others can help you relax. You can pick which ones are best for your needs.
doTERRA – On Guard+ Softgels
doTERRA – Serenity Softgels
doTERRA – TriEase Softgels
Make or Take Tinctures
Tinctures are created by soaking plant pieces, such as bark, roots, leaves or flowers in a solution. The solution is set aside for several weeks and strained. They are now highly concentrated herbal extracts that can be absorbed under the tongue or swallowed. The herbs used to create the tincture will be dependent upon your health needs.
Ingesting Essential Oils Safely
Choose Quality Essential Oils
If you are ingesting essential oils, it is critical to make sure that the essential oils you use are safe and pure, are a very high quality, organic, “therapeutic grade” brand and are appropriate for internal use. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers these safe for consumption and has approved some essential oils generically for internal use and given them the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) designation for human consumption.
Be sure to read the warning labels carefully before ingesting. Only consume essential oils that are Certified USDA Organic and labeled as dietary supplements. So many essential oils on the market today have been adulterated, so be sure to use 100% pure essential oils to decrease the likelihood of an adverse response.
Dosage and Dilution
Use small amounts of essential oils internally (about 1-2 drops at a time up to 2-3 drops daily). Never use an essential oil internally that you are already allergic to. If you experience any mouth or throat irritation, dilute the oil in liquid, food such as honey or applesauce before swallowing or spit it out. It is also best to take essential oils with food rather than on an empty stomach.
Essential Oils and Medication
Keep in mind that using essential oils at the same time can increase a drug’s side effects if you’re currently taking prescription or over the counter medications regardless if they are being taken internally or topically. Always ask your physician or a professional if you have any safety concerns regarding medication interactions.
People taking heart medications, such as blood thinners, should avoid using clary sage, cypress, eucalyptus, ginger, rosemary, sage and thyme oils. People dealing with any type of hormonal issue, keep in mind that lavender, tea tress, chamomile, sandalwood and clary sage essential oils may alter hormone levels.
Negative Reactions
Be sure to be on the lookout for symptoms or negative reactions such as eye or throat irritation, hives, rash, nausea, vomiting or dizziness.
When ingesting essential oils, they are rapidly absorbed by our body. Negative reactions can occur as quickly as 30 minutes after ingestion (some people can experience delayed symptoms up to 4 hours after exposure). The severity of the negative reaction is dependent on the type of oil and the amount ingested.
Children are particularly susceptible. As little as 2mL (less than half a teaspoon) of eucalyptus oil can cause significant poisoning in an infant. If it appears a child has ingested large amounts of essential oil, contact the nearest poison control unit right away for emergency help.
Symptoms of Toxicity
- Drowsiness
- Slow/shallow breathing
- Coma (after large ingestion)
- Seizures
- Persistent cough
- Gagging/choking
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Skin irritation (skin exposure)
- Eye redness, irritation or pain (eye exposure)
If you experience any of these side effects, call poison control. Do not induce vomiting unless told to do so by a physician.
Be sure to check with your physician or healthcare provider to ensure that it is safe to ingest essential oils if you have any questions or other health concerns.
Summing It Up
While essential oils can be ingested, please make sure you take ALL necessary precautions before and after doing so. They have many benefits when they are ingested, but they can also come with severe side effects if not done so properly. Be sure to read all labels and follow the directions and the directions of your healthcare provider as well.
Have you taken essential oils internally? If so, did they work for you? Let us know in the comments!
Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. Neither Self Verve nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. Be sure to contact your physician before trying any of the items stated in the above article.
