There are certain conditions that the therapist should be aware of that may prevent treatment being carried out or require the advise of a doctor:
- Fever/ high temperature
- Acute infectious diseases
- Pregnancy- first trimester
- Intoxication, drug addiction
- Migraine
- Recent head or neck injury
- Homeopathy
- Recent operations, pre operation
- Undiagnosed lumps and bumps
- Sunburn
- Cancer
- Large medication intake
- Recent hemorrhage
- Thrombosis/ embolism
- High/ low blood pressure (medical consent before treatment)
- Epilepsy (medical consent)
- Diabetes (medical consent)
- Osteoporosis (medical consent)
- Menstruation (over abdomen especially during first 2 days)
- Varicose veins (local)
- Severe brusing, cuts, abrasion (local)
The following is a list of the contraindications for the various essential oils:
Oils that should be used in small doses for no longer than 2 weeks.These oils are fairly toxic or may have side effects such as nausea, vomiting and headaches and should be used with extreme caution:
Ajowan, Anise star, Aniseed, Basil, Bay laurel, Calamintha, Camphor, Cascarrilla bark, Cassie, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clove, Coriander, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Hops, Hyssop, Juniper, Nutmeg, Parsley, Black Pepper, Pine, Sage, Tagetes, Tarragon, White Thyme, Tuberose, Tumeric, Turpentine and Valerian.
Oils that irritate the skin if used in high concentration. These oils should be used in half the recomended dilution, and no more than 3 drops in a bath:
Ajowan, Allspice, Aniseed, Basil, Black pepper, Borneol, Cajeput, Caraway, Cedarwood, Cinnnamon leaf, Clove, Cornmint, Eucalyptus, Garlic, Ginger, Lemon, Parsley, Peppermint, Pine, Thyme and Tumeric.
Oils that cause irritation on sensitice skin. These oils may cause eczema or dermatitis with people who have very sensitive skin. For people who are sensitive always test the oil on the back of your wrist, and leave for an hour. If irritation occurs, bathe the area with cold water and try a weaker concentration.
Aniseed, Basil, Bay laurel, Benzoin, Bergamot, Cade, Cajeput, Cananga, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Citronella, Garlic, Geranium, Ginger, Hops, Jasmine, Lemon, Lemongrass, Melissa, Litsea Cubeba, Mastic, Mint, Orange, Peru balsam, Pine, Styrax, Tea Tree, Thyme, Tolu balsam, Tumeric, Turpentine, Valerian, Vanilla, Verbena, Violet, Yarrow and Ylang Ylang.
Oils that are phototoxic. These are oils which can cause the skin to darken if exposed to direct sunlight. Do not use these oils at all if the area will be exposed to sunlight.
Angelica root, Bergamot, Cumin, Ginger, Lemon, Lime, Loveage, Mandarin, Orange and Verbena.
Oils that should be avoided during pregnancy. Due to the effects of these oils on the reproductive organs, and the sensitivity of the foetus, certain oils should not be used at all during pregnancy.
Ajowan, Anjelica, Anise star, Aniseed, Basil, Bay laurel, Calamintha, Cedarwood, Celery seed, Cinnamon, Citronella, Clary sage, Clove, Cumin, Cypress, Fennel, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper, Labdanum, Lovage, Marjoram, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Parsley, Penyroyal, Peppermint, Rose, Rosemary, Snakeroot, Sage, Tarragon and Thyme.
Oils that should be avoided with high blood pressure.
Black pepper, Hyssop, Lemon, Lemongrass, Nutmeg, Rosemary, Sage and thyme.
Oils that should be avoided with low blood pressure.
Chamomile, Lemon balm, Lavender, Marjoram and Ylang Ylang.
Oils that should be avoided with Diabetes.
Anjelica.
Oils that should be avoided for kidney problems.
Juniper.
These oils are not to be used by anyone recieving homeopathic treatments:
Black pepper, Camphor, Eucalyptus and peppermint.
Oils that should be avoided with alcohol comsumption. These oils will increase the effects of alcohol.
Aniseed, Clary sage and fennel.
Oils that should be avoided with depression.
Basil.
Oils that should be avoided with Epilepsy.
Fennel, Hyssop, Sage and Rosemary.
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