You’ve likely used or at least experienced essential oils in some capacity over your lifetime. But what exactly is an essential oil? EOs contain all the natural oils within a certain plant, in a more concentrated form.

More specifically, an essential oil contains the extracted volatile aromatic compounds of a plant. The volatile compounds within the essential oils are called such because they tend to change physical states from solid to gas quite easily – hence the potent aroma. But, they do more than just smell good! These complex aromatic compounds produced by the plants also possess a variety of pharmacological and therapeutic traits. Essential oils can provide a multitude of physical and mental benefits, which is exactly why we love them so much!

An important question to ask! And, well, the answer generally depends on what you want them to do, (and also who you ask).

There are numerous studies that have been conducted that show essential oils are beneficial. They’ve been shown to improve physical and mental wellness in various areas, such as increased focus in young kids, relieving pain by distracting the mind, and reducing nausea as a few examples. For a more detailed look into what the science says about essential oils, and if they really do work, check out this article that explains the pros and cons.

A common labelling/marketing tactic by companies is to market their products as “therapeutic grade.” There is no third party organization that is certifying essential oil products for therapeutic use, so the term can be misleading to consumers. Basically, any EO you buy will be therapeutic grade, so just keep that in mind.

Qualifying as food grade is a whole different story all together. Technically, it is advised that the vast majority of EOs should not be ingested. However, many company’s oils do have a “GRAS” rating from the FDA (Food & Drug Administration. GRAS means “Generally Recognized as Safe for use in foods.”

While many essential oils do have a GRAS rating, some should never be ingested, and so we would simply advise never ingesting them to be on the safe side. You should always consult a medical professional before thinking about ingesting EOs, and also for topical use. Even topical use is a grey-area for us as the vast majority of EOs are manufactured strictly for use in diffusion and aromatherapy.

The use of EOs with pets is a controversial subject. There have been a number of cases recently of pets being poisoned by unknowing pet owners.

While many pet owners, business owners and bloggers stand by using diffusers and other EO uses with their pets, we recommend that you do not use EOs on or around your pets – especially cats. Many EOs can be toxic to cats and dogs! That means not feeding your pets EOs in any form, no topical use of any kind, and avoiding their exposure to diffusers. Always consult your veterinarian before using any sort of substance on your pets.

If you want to use a diffuser, we recommend not operating it around your cats and dogs (and other pets). The oils, even in their diluted state, can cause unwanted allergic reactions or prove toxic.

Use the diffuser in a separate room with the door closed, turn it off when your pet is around, and definitely don’t leave the diffuser on when you leave the house with your pet alone. Monitor your pet for any changes in behaviour and behaviours as loss of appetite, lethargy, drooling, tremors, pawing at the face, difficulty breathing and vomiting.

A few essential oils that are absolutely known to be toxic to pets include: thyme, cinnamon, tea tree, clove, birch, anise, and cedarwood. And while many people do use diffusers and EOs with their pets safely and without issue, it’s best to always be on the safe side with your beloved pets.