Essential oils have scientifically proven their beneficial effects. But like any active product, they are not without side effects.
Known to ancient civilizations and scientifically recognized today, essential oils are natural plant extracts with very varied indications ranging from strengthening the immune system, to relaxation, stimulation, relief of joint and muscle pain, up to to… the attenuation of the “orange peel” effect. Effects linked to the powerful active ingredients that they incorporate and which have multiple properties: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, healing …
But like any active product, they are not without side effects
In its last November issue, the magazine “60 Million Consumers” warns about the suspicions that hover today over these very popular oils. In 2014, the review states, 2,435 reports involving an essential oil were made on all nine poison control and toxicovigilance centers. It is most often a child whose symptoms probably appeared after accidental ingestion of oil and who presents pain in the mouth and pharynx, vomiting, cough. No panic, however, these incidents only required hospitalizations in 1% of cases.
It is worth remembering that essential oils are not recommended for children for their risk of neurological, respiratory or allergic toxicity in the event of an overdose. They are also for the pregnant woman for the risks on the development of the child.
Endocrine disruptors
But more worrying according to the magazine “60 million”, are side effects approaching those caused by endocrine disruptors. These are 3 cases of abnormal breast growth in young boys who would have appeared with the essential oil of lavender or that of tea tree. These cases are reported by a newsletter from the Lille poison control center published in 2016. It remains to be seen under what circumstances these effects mimicking endocrine disruptors appeared. But the French Association of Liberal Pediatric Endocrinologists specifies that other cases of this type have been described in scientific journals.
This survey of “60 million” provides the opportunity to recall the rules for the consumption of essential oils which are also excellent products: never use them pure, even when applied to the skin. Some, such as citrus essential oils such as lemon, bergamot, orange, etc. can cause allergic skin reactions in the presence of sun. In short, ask your pharmacist for advice.
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