If you want to save this to read later, Pin it to Pinterest here. Here's the thing, friends don't let friends drink their essential oils. It's true. Don't drink your essential oils. It's a frequently recommended practice, by well-meaning and misinformed essential oil enthusiasts and reps and unfortunately, it's just not a good idea.One of the first certifications I took when I began working in the holistic wellness world was becoming a Certified Clinical Master of Aromatherapy, I trained in both the "Americanized" and "French" versions, and while there are some reasons (under the care or plan of a practitioner) that you can ingest EO, in your water just isn't a safe one.

Here are a few reasons why drinking your essential oils is a dangerous practice:

Essential oils are hydrophobic - meaning it doesn't mix with water, no matter how much you shake it up. Hydrophobic in chemistry means that the molecules are nonpolar (usually), and the atoms that make the molecule don't produce a static electric field. In order to attract and mix with water, you need polar molecules, that have opposite regions of electrical energy attract and bind to water molecules.  Essential oils lack opposite electrical charges on the molecules, so water can't form hydrogen bonds with the molecules causing the Essential Oil (nonpolar molecules clump together).

Essential oils are potent - one drop of essential oil can be the same potency as 30 cups of herbal tea! Would you drink 30 cups of chamomile tea in order to achieve sleep? Nah, probably not. But don't worry, their potency is also what makes them powerful and cost-effective healing tools when used safely.

Your gut microbiome - essential oils are antimicrobial meaning the kill bacteria and viruses. Much like antibiotics, they don't differentiate between the good bacteria and the bad bacteria in your gut or on your skin. Ingesting essential oils routinely can contribute to leaky gut, which leads us down a whole new path of chronic issues.

Drinking your essential oils damages your mucosa - Yep, that delicate lining inside your mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach lining, and digestive tract all gets damaged when you consume undiluted (remember, it's not diluted because it's hydrophobic) essential oils. (1) In fact, its one of the most common causes of reported adverse events with essential oils.  It can actually burn your mucosa, like a chemical burn (2). Did you know if you spill undiluted lemon oil on your granite counters or furniture, it will take the sealant right off it?

Undiluted oils can cause liver toxicity - Yep, although it would likely be temporary, because the liver is pretty dang good at fixing itself, taking this concentrated amount can be damaging to the liver. I suggest Liver Function Tests before ingesting essential oils.

It's just wasteful - these are expensive products and are valuable plant products as well. When you add essential oils to water, most of the oil stays in the glass (that's why you still taste/smell it on the refill). What does make it into your body is either damaging you (mucous membranes and liver toxicity) or it is damaged by the stomach acid.

Why do people recommend it?

One word, MONEY. First, think of who is telling you to ingest and use your oils undiluted...is it your Clinical Aromatherapist or your layperson sales rep selling oils at parties and online. Yes, I believe that most are well-meaning, but the representatives are out to sell more oils and it's not very profitable to let your 10ml bottle of lemon essential oil last for a year or longer.

I also believe that people don't know where to find reputable clinical information and sometimes doing your own due diligence takes too much time or we just don't have the science background to understand it. If you have specific questions, hop into my Wellness Tribe Group and I will answer them.

How can I safely use my lemon essential oil now ...