Tennessee health officials warn of dangers of essential oils

While more and more people find that aromatherapy using essential oils may be a soothing way to relax, Tennessee health officials say that anyone using the oils should be aware that some of them can be dangerous if swallowed. While more and more people find that aromatherapy using essential oils may be a soothing way to relax, Tennessee health officials say that anyone using the oils should be aware that some of them can be dangerous if swallowed.

By Steve Johnson May 15, 2016 4 min read

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While more and more people find that aromatherapy using essential oils may be a soothing way to relax, Tennessee health officials say that anyone using the oils should be aware that some of them can be dangerous if swallowed.

The Tennessee Poison Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center says the number of incidents involving essential oils doubled between 2011 and 2015, and 80 percent of the cases involved children.

Essential oils generally include the concentrated “essence” of plants and herbs, including camphor, clove, lavender, eucalyptus, thyme, tea tree and wintergreen oils. They are removed from the plant either by using steam to distill the oil or by compressing plant matter to squeeze out the oils, said Jennifer Strain, owner of Good Fortune Soap and Spa on South Broad Street, which sells essential oils, among other products.

The use of essential oils has increased rapidly in recent years among consumers seeking more natural products to treat pain or anxiety, although there is limited medical research supporting some of the claims. The U.S. market for all essential oils was estimated at about $2 billion in 2016, with about 30 percent of that going for spa and relaxation products, according to a report by Grand View Research.