External use: Though the Cretan-Garden essential oils are also therapeutical oils, Cretan-Garden only focusses on safe applications for external use. When essential oils are used in soaps, macerates, infused oils, body oils, or in a diffuser, there are no health risks, if the advised dosage is not exceeded. Paracelsus: “The dose makes the poison”. To prevent eventual skin allergies: do the patch test.
Certified organic, 100% pure: Cretan-Garden sells just a small collection of essential oils, chosen from the more than 200 different essential oils from Nature in Bottle. Their essential oils are certified organic, 100% pure, natural therapeutic-grade Essential Oils obtained from organically grown aromatic plants and procured from a carefully vetted network of harvesters, farmers, distillers and the most reputed certified suppliers across the world. Nature in Bottle have embraced a rigorous quality control standard and all their essential oils are meticulously analysed in their in-house laboratory as well as verified through an independent third-party to guarantee the highest quality.
Documents: Each essential oil is provided with official documents, like: Technical Data Sheet, EU Declaration, Material Safety Data Sheet, IFRA Conformity Certificate, Certificate of Analysis – Current Batch.
Hazard pictograms: These are required by EU legislation. The following collage shows the total of pictograms, that are used for essential oils. The most have 4 pictograms. Each pictogram has been explained in the list below the picture.
Hazard symbols: why?
Aromatherapeutic raw materials are powerful substances that can positively influence the health of humans and animals. Acknowledged essential oil brands always recommend: apply drop by drop. And of course, always keep out of reach of children. By exercising this caution, there can be wonderful results for the health and well-being of humans and animals.
Why hazard symbols?
Legislators and governments must of course set a lot of rules, make laws and also monitor them. This leads to a lot of work and sometimes it is decided to adopt harsh, drastic and coercive measures and laws that do not always seem logical or even lead to confusion and misunderstandings. An example of this could be the hazard symbols that must be stated on aromatherapy raw materials. Sometimes this contains substances that are created by nature and encapsulated by other substances in this natural product that also occur in synthetic products or other man-made mixes. The government and therefore the law makes NO difference in the assessment of this. This ensures that you see the same symbols on a bottle and/or box with 100% lavender oil or tea tree oil as on a tanker truck that you see driving on the road with that one isolated substance. Source
The pictograms explained:
Sign 1: Flammable
Official code: GHS02 – Flammable – All essential oils are more or less flammable, also diluted essential oils. Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and hot surfaces. Do not smoke when handling.
Sign 2: Environmentally hazardous
Environmentally hazardous – Official code: GHS09 – All pure, also diluted essential oils, are environmentally hazardous and rests of essential oils have to be collected as chemical waste, and may not be deleted in the sink, or the toilet. Essential oils kill all life in soils, rivers, streams, lakes, etc.
Sign 3: Long-term health hazard
Long-term health-hazard – Official code: GHS08 – Lavender should not be used excessively or over longer periods of time. If Lavender essential oil is used continuously, it could have a negative health effect in the long term by inhaling. According to the EU list of acquirements however, problems can occur also naturally in minute quantities. Therefore the recommended dosage for the several different applications is crucial.
Sign 4: Acute health effects
Acute health effects – Official code: GHS07 – Immediate health risks arise if swallowed or inhaled deeply. Of course, you always must pay close attention to what you are doing with essential oils and a sip of this oil can certainly be dangerous. Therefore the oil must be generally used moderately and appropriately diluted: see dosage.
Sign 5: Corrosive
Corrosive – Official code: GHS05 – These substances can burn and corrode the skin and even attack textiles and wood.
Sign 6: Toxic
Toxic – Official code: GHS06 – You will also find this symbol on the Cretan-Garden oregano essential oil. Long before the discovery of the antibiotic, oregano oil was recommended by many experts for the same indications, and used by many top chefs in 2019 in their excellent 100% natural soups. The dose determines whether something becomes toxic. It is important to follow up the dosage, because if ignored, essential oils with this warning sign are fatal.
Do the patch test
Before using essential oils on the skin….
Do a patch test
A patch test allows you to see how your skin reacts to a substance before using it more widely. Here are the steps for performing a patch test:
- Wash your forearm with mild, unscented soap, and pat the area dry.
- Dab a few drops of diluted essential oil onto a patch of skin on your forearm.
- Place a bandage over the patch, and keep the area dry for 24 hours.
If you notice any rash, irritation, or discomfort during the 24 hours, remove the bandage and wash your skin thoroughly with gentle soap and water. Don’t use the essential oil if any reaction develops during the patch test.
If no irritation develops during the 24 hours, it’s likely safe for you to use the diluted essential oil. However, a successful patch test doesn’t mean that you won’t develop an allergy or experience a reaction after future use.
Source: Healthline – What You Need to Know About Allergic Reaction to Essential Oils
Precautions
- Read the Precautionary Statement in the official PDF: Material Safety Data Sheet on the page of the essential oil you are interested in
- Dilution: Always dilute with a vegetable oil before applying to skin, in the bath, etc.
- Children: Keep out of the reach of children.
- Babies: Safe Essential Oils for Babies and How to Use Them – Healthline
- Pregnancy / breastfeeding: What to know about essential oils during pregnancy and breastfeeding – Mayo Clinic
- Eye Contact: Causes serious eye irritation. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.
- In case of contact with eyes, immediately rinse abundantly water and consult a specialist.
- Skin: Can cause skin irritation and can cause an allergic skin reaction. Wash the irritated skin with much water. Always dilute with a carrier oil before applying to skin and perform a patch test first.
- Ingestion: Do not ingest the oil. It is harmful if swallowed and may be fatal if it enters the airways.
- Fire: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and hot surfaces. Do not smoke when handling.
- Environment: Dispose of waste properly to avoid environmental contamination.