Essential Oil Safety
Essential oil safety in plain language: poisoning, skin reactions, sunlight, children, pregnancy, pets and who to call. No dilution chart and no advice to swallow any oil.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
If someone has swallowed an essential oil, or a product containing one: call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US) right away. The Poison Control service says expert guidance is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day. [1] Call 911 if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or cannot be woken. For the full steps, see Essential Oil Poisoning: What to Do First.
Essential oils are strong concentrates. Natural origin does not make them safe: the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that many plants contain materials that are toxic, irritating or likely to cause allergic reactions on the skin. [2] This page is an overview of the main risks and where to read more. It is education, not personal medical or veterinary advice.
- Swallowing is the most serious risk. Poison Control says misuse of essential oils can cause serious poisoning. [1] We give no advice to swallow, cook with or drink any essential oil.
- Skin reactions are common. Irritation and allergy are the usual problems, and an allergy can last. [1][3]
- Some citrus oils react with sunlight. [2]
- Children and pets are at higher risk from small amounts. [1][4]
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding are poorly studied for most oils.
- Stop if you react, wash the area, and ask a pharmacist or clinician. [1]
Where each risk is covered
| Question | What the sources say, in brief | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Swallowed or spilled oil | Poison centers advise calling right away; do not make the person vomit. [1][5] | More about Swallowed or spilled oil → |
| Rash, allergy | Allergy to an essential oil is "a very real possibility." [1] | More about Rash, allergy → |
| Sun exposure | Certain citrus oils can be harmful on sun-exposed skin. [2] | More about Sun exposure → |
| Cats, dogs, birds | Pet Poison Helpline says cats and birds are at the greatest risk. [4] | More about Cats, dogs, birds → |
| Babies and children | Case reports describe seizures and drowsiness after small swallowed amounts. [1] | More about Babies and children → |
| Pregnancy, breastfeeding | Little is known about lavender in pregnancy or breastfeeding. [6] | More about Pregnancy, breastfeeding → |
Hormone-related questions
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS, part of NIH) reports that lavender oil, tea tree oil and some of their chemicals showed hormonal activity in human cell lines in test tubes, and that activity fell as the dilution rose. [7] Clinical cases linking skin use of essential oils with breast tissue growth involved prepubescent boys, plus a 2019 report in girls using lavender-fragranced products; those cases involved skin exposure, not aromatherapy. [7] NCCIH says it is unclear whether lavender was responsible. [6] This is cell-lab and case-report evidence, not proof of cause. See Lavender and Tea Tree Oils: Skin Reactions and Hormone Questions.
Medicines and surgery
Poison Control notes that essential oils may interact with medications. [1] NCCIH adds that there are theoretical reasons to suspect lavender might interact with some sedative drugs or herbs, which matters before surgery. [6] Tell your pharmacist, clinician and surgical team about any oils you use, and see How Interactions Work.
Regulation and claims
The FDA says claims that a product will ease pain, treat depression or anxiety, or help you sleep are drug claims, and drugs must be FDA approved for safety and effectiveness before sale. [2] Poison Control adds that essential oil products are not well regulated and it can be hard to know what is in a bottle. [1] See Who Regulates Essential Oils? and How to Tell If Quality Claims Hold Up.
What this page does not do
It does not give a dilution chart or a number of drops. NCCIH describes aromatherapy oils as "applying a diluted form to the skin" without giving an amount. [8] Product labels and a pharmacist or clinician are the places to ask.
Frequently asked questions
Are essential oils safe?
Not automatically. Poison Control says many people think essential oils are harmless because they are natural, yet many can cause rashes and some can be poisonous if swallowed or absorbed through the skin. [1]
Is it safe to swallow essential oils?
We do not give advice to swallow any essential oil. Tea tree oil taken by mouth can cause confusion, unsteadiness, inability to walk and coma. [9]
Are essential oils safe for cats and dogs?
Not necessarily. Pet Poison Helpline says essential oil poisoning can affect all species, with cats and birds at the greatest risk. [4] See the pets page for details.
Can essential oils cure or treat disease?
No oil is approved to treat a disease. The FDA treats treatment claims as drug claims. [2]
How do I dilute essential oils?
We do not give a chart. Poison Control says diluting in a carrier oil is the best way to avoid a bad reaction from direct skin contact, and that not every oil suits skin use, so product instructions matter. [1] Ask a pharmacist or clinician.
References
- Essential oils: Poisonous when misused, Poison Control (US). Read 2026-10-23.
- Aromatherapy, US Food and Drug Administration, content current as of 09/08/2023. Read 2026-10-23.
- Safety, National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA, US professional association); page undated. Read 2026-10-23.
- Essential Oils, Pet Poison Helpline (US animal poison center; undated page). Read 2026-10-23.
- Poisoning, NHS (UK), page last reviewed 12 June 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- Lavender: Usefulness and Safety, NCCIH (NIH). Read 2026-10-23.
- Essential Oils, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIH), last reviewed March 19, 2026. Read 2026-10-23.
- Aromatherapy, NCCIH (NIH), last updated January 2020. Read 2026-10-23.
- Tea Tree Oil: Usefulness and Safety, NCCIH (NIH). Read 2026-10-23.