For this special Holiday-themed edition of Ask Our Experts, we’re tackling one of the most common questions we get around the holidays:
“What can I diffuse during holiday gatherings?”
The short answer? Nothing.
I know, I know. This seems crazy! But I’ll explain.
We love essential oils, you love essential oils, everybody else should love essential oils (I mean, right?)….but sometimes it can be easy to assume everyone else loves essential oils as much as we do.
With all of the gatherings and parties coming up this holiday season, we here at Plant Therapy want to send out a friendly safe-oil usage reminder: Though it’s tempting to use oils during your holiday gatherings, don’t! Don’t diffuse in public!
We touch on this same issue every year during back-to-school season, but it’s important to send out a reminder during the holiday season as well.
Diffusing Might Have an Unexpected Effect on Your Guests
When you diffuse in public, it’s possible that others might have unpredictable, or even negative reactions. Why is this? Well, everyone has to breathe! And just because you respond well to an essential oil diffused into the air doesn’t mean everyone else will too.
For example, I personally have a very negative reaction to Lavender essential oil. Though it smells lovely, I’m incredibly sensitive to some of the terpene alcohols in many floral scents. They physically make me sick or give me pounding headaches. And yes, I am aware of how ironic that is for a Certified Aromatherapist! But if a host at a holiday party were diffusing a floral oil into the air, I would have to leave or suffer through being sick. Not the experience you want for your party guests!
Don’t Forget About Babies
Furthermore, babies, pregnant or nursing women, pets, and individuals on certain medications or who have medical conditions can be at risk of adverse reactions to an essential oil that’s being publicly diffused.
Some people have specific allergies to certain chemical components in essential oils as well! Inhaling specific oils can make them feel nauseous, light-headed, irritable – honestly, the list of symptoms could go on and on. None of them are fun during holiday gatherings.
You just don’t know how everyone will respond, so why take the risk? It’s always best to err on the side of caution so that you don’t unintentionally harm your party guests.
You Can Still Use Your Essential Oils!
We know you still want to use your oils, especially with the overwhelming demands this season can bring. Personal aromatherapy inhalers are ideal for public situations, especially since you can use whatever oil or blend is personally best for you. Aromatherapy diffuser lockets are also a nice option to enjoy your favorite oils whenever you want!
Thank you to all of our amazing customers making safe and thoughtful essential oil choices for your holiday gatherings!
