While all natural, herbs and oils do have some cautions for use. Please read carefully before using on yourself or others.
Remember, our skin is our largest organ. Whatever we put on it will be absorbed into the body.
Almond Oil
- Do not use if allergic to nuts
- Not for ingestion.
Apricot Kernel Oil
- Do not use if allergic.
- Not for ingestion.
Arnica Oil (Arnica montana)
- For external use only, Arnica should never be ingested.
- Prolonged use can irritate the skin causing inflamed skin conditions.
- Should not be used on broken skin. It can cause increase bleeding.
- If you are allergic to sunflowers, it would be best not to use arnica or products containing arnica.
Calendula Oil (Calendula officinalis)
- Do not use if allergic to the Asteraceae family of plants. This includes all daisy family of plants.
- Can be used on all ages.
- Not to be ingested
Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale)
- Do not use comfrey on dirty wounds as rapid healing can trap the dirt or pus. This can lead to infection.
- Not to be ingested.
Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis)
- Should not be used long term by those taking thyroid medication. Can inhibit the absorption rate of the medication
- Because of its possible effects on the uterus and the body’s hormone balance, it should be used sparingly while pregnant and nursing, if at all.
- Not for internal use.
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
- People who are taking Coumadin or other blood-thinning medication should be careful.
- Red Clover is a phyto estrogen, and some women can have adverse affects.
- Red Clover oil should not be used in people who have estrogenic cancers. It can exacerbate the condition.
- Not for internal use.
Sesame Oil
- Do not use if allergic to sesame seeds.
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
- It can cause dermatitis or photo-sensitivity in some folks after using it and then exposing the skin to the sun.
- Contact dermatitis can be caused if handling the plant in moist, but sunny, conditions.
- Some of the Drug Interactions: Do not take in conjunction with MAO inhibitors or other antidepressants, including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, lithium, Demerol, or destromethorphan, a common ingredient in cough syrups. The combination can result in a very dangerous reaction called serotonin syndrome, marked by a high fever, confusion, muscle rigidity, diarrhea, and possible death.
- Please refer to our St. John’s Wort cautions page for more information.
