Aromatherapy Safety and Practice Flashcards

What is essential oil sensitization?

Answer: An immune system reaction causing increasing allergic responses to an oil with repeated exposure

Sensitization is an immune-mediated allergic reaction where repeated exposure to an essential oil triggers increasingly severe responses (contact dermatitis, breathing difficulty) that can become permanent.

Which essential oils are phototoxic and require sun exposure precautions?

Answer: Expressed citrus oils (bergamot, lemon, lime, grapefruit) contain furocoumarins that cause severe skin reactions in sunlight

Cold-pressed citrus oils (especially bergamot) contain furocoumarins that react with UV light, causing phototoxic reactions (severe burns, blistering, hyperpigmentation). Distilled citrus oils are generally not phototoxic.

What is the proper storage method for essential oils?

Answer: In dark glass bottles, tightly sealed, in a cool place away from sunlight and heat

Essential oils degrade when exposed to light, heat, and oxygen. Dark glass bottles (amber or cobalt blue), tight seals, and cool storage temperatures (below 75°F) preserve chemical integrity and extend shelf life.

What essential oils should never be used on or around children under 2?

Answer: Eucalyptus, peppermint, and rosemary (containing 1,8-cineole or menthol) can cause breathing difficulty in young children

Oils high in 1,8-cineole (eucalyptus, rosemary) and menthol (peppermint) can cause respiratory distress, laryngospasm, and breathing difficulty in young children and should be avoided under age 2-6.

What is the shelf life of most essential oils?

Answer: 1-5 years depending on the oil type; citrus oils oxidize fastest (1-2 years), while some oils improve with age

Citrus oils have the shortest shelf life (1-2 years) due to limonene oxidation. Most oils last 2-3 years when properly stored. Some oils (sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver) can improve over many years.

What should you do if someone has an adverse reaction to an essential oil?

Answer: Remove the oil source, apply carrier oil to dilute (not water), ventilate the area, and seek medical attention if severe

For skin reactions, apply carrier oil (not water, which can spread oil-based compounds) to dilute. Remove the oil source, ventilate the area, and seek medical attention for severe reactions, breathing difficulty, or ingestion.