Most essential oils are safe to ingest in the very, very small quantities prescribed by aromatherapists.

Many essential oils are included in a list of food additives published by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) called the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) list. However, just because an essential oil appears on this list does not mean it is therefore safe to consume the essential oil in just any amount.

For essential oils, most medical aromatherapy protocols recommend doses in the range of 1 or 2 drops, once or twice per day over short periods. To give you an idea of how small these doses are, 1ml = 25 drops. A 10ml bottle of Sandstouch essential oil contains 250 drops.

Children and pregnant or nursing mothers should not consume essential oils. Some oils are contra-indicated for those with certain medical conditions. The best idea is always to seek the advice of a qualified health professional beforehand.

Dilute the essential oils when you ingest them. You can use any liquid, although cows’ milk is not recommended as it can nullify the effects of many botanical ingredients. Use warm water, tea or soya milk.