The question of which essential oils are safe to ingest raises a lot of attention within the aromatherapy community. At Better Essentials, we prioritize the safer and more effective use of essential oils through topical and aromatic methods, rather than ingestion.
However, for those seeking ingestible essential oil brands, we present a list of companies that offer 100% pure, GC-MS-tested oils that can be used internally. We’ll also share what are the their stances of these companies on ingesting essential oils.
Can You Ingest Essential Oils?
While Yes, some essential oils are safe to ingest, but it’s essential to do so under proper guidance and supervision. Certain reputable essential oil brands have product lines intended for ingestion with proper dosing guidelines. However, not all essential oils are safe for internal use.
A note from Better Essentials: Always err on the side of caution when it comes to consuming essential oils internally. Unless specifically stated to be food-grade or safe for ingestion, we strongly advise against ingesting essential oils. Doing so can be unsafe and potentially harmful to your health. Please always proceed with caution and seek professional advice when using essential oils.
Which Essential Oils Are Safe To Ingest?
While some essential oils can be used internally, many experts and organizations caution against ingesting essential oils without expert supervision.
The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) raises awareness about taking precautions when it comes to the internal use of essential oils:
“Do not take essential oils internally without appropriate advanced aromatherapy education and understanding of the safety issues involved in doing so. If essential oils are used internally, we recommend doing so under the guidance of a knowledgeable health professional or by selecting professionally formulated products intended for internal use.”
The International Federation of Aromatherapists also advises against ingesting essential oils unless supervised by a doctor with expertise in clinical aromatherapy or a clinically trained aromatherapist.
Why is there so much debate about ingesting essential oils?
Essential oils are highly concentrated and can cause severe reactions, especially when used incorrectly. Some claim that essential oils shouldn’t be ingested because improper use may lead to digestive issues, allergic reactions, or even toxic effects.
Safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to choosing whether to ingest essential oils. You always want to make sure that the essential oils you choose to use internally are the purest available and that they come from plants that are safe for human consumption.
Also, keep in mind that before ingesting any essential oil, it is crucial to consult a qualified healthcare practitioner or a certified aromatherapist. They will be able to determine which oil is appropriate for your individual health needs and to identify the correct dilution and dosage for safe consumption.
Which Brands of Essential Oils Are Safe For Internal Use?
We have compiled a list of companies whose selection consists of 100% pure, GC-MS-tested essential oils recommended for ingestion.
Note that not all oils from these companies are safe for internal use. Only certain essential oils are considered GRAS (an FDA term meaning Generally Regarded As Safe), so this is also something to keep in mind.
Rocky Mountain Oils
Rocky Mountain Oils provides high-quality essential oils sourced from reputable growers around the world, and the company maintains strict quality control measures to deliver products free from adulterants or synthetic additives. They advocate for responsible internal use of their oils, advising customers to consult a qualified healthcare practitioner. Here’s their take on it:
“Essential oils are very potent and need to be used correctly. All of our oils are 100% pure, natural, and authentic. However, we cannot provide dosing suggestions or directions on how to ingest if you choose to do so. If you do choose to ingest the oils, we suggest consulting an Aromatherapist or trusted medical professional.”
You can learn more about RMO in our in-depth review.
Young Living
Young Living is well-known for its Seed to Seal® quality commitment, which refers to their meticulous process of sourcing, testing, and sealing their essential oils. Their oils are subjected to multiple rounds of testing, including GC-MS analysis, to ensure they meet their Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® (CPTG) standard. They have a line of oils labeled for internal use, the Vitality™ product line. Apart from the Young Living ingestible oils, they generally advise against internal use:
“Our Vitality line products can be taken internally; we do not promote or recommend internal consumption of other essential oils. Please follow the instructions on each product label.”
doTerra
doTerra offers GC-MS-tested essential oils derived from sustainable sources, and their commitment to sustainability also extends to ethical sourcing practices. The company complies with the Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® (CPTG) standard to ensure that its essential oils are pure, natural, and free from contaminants.
doTERRA states directly on the bottle whether or not the oil can be taken internally. While they advocate for the internal use of essential oils, they emphasize the importance of strictly following directions for safe consumption:
“When used appropriately, essential oils offer many wonderful internal benefits. Know that there are certain essential oils that should never be used internally. However, there are plenty of essential oils that have been approved for internal use, which will provide the body with a variety of powerful benefits. Always refer to the directions and instructions on the label before ingesting any oil.”
You can download their free guide on the internal use of essential oils to learn more.
Barefut
Barefut is a customer-oriented company, committed to delivering therapeutic, high-quality oils at affordable prices. They provide 100% pure oils sourced directly from reputable distillers. Their oils are subjected to GC-MS testing to guarantee their quality and are carefully handled to preserve their natural properties and beneficial compounds.
Even though they provide high-quality oils, they don’t recommend them for internal use and advise using essential oils solely for topical and aromatic purposes, primarily because their oils are very potent and many people are ingesting essential oils unsafely due to misinformation. Here’s their stance on it:
“While barefūt essential oils are 100% pure, we do NOT recommend internal ingestion of essential oils. For topical applications, we recommend diluting essential oils with an appropriate carrier oil at safe dilution rates.”
Head to our Barefut review to learn more about this sought-after essential oil brand.
Jade Bloom
Jade Bloom is a family-owned company that offers pure and unadulterated essential oils. They source all ingredients from indigenous farmers that meet their strict organic, pesticide-free, and non-GMO standards. Jade Bloom supports the responsible internal use of specific oils, but they stress that their oils are highly potent:
“In the event that you have made the personal decision to ingest essential oils, it’s important to use 100% pure oils. So yes, you can ingest some Jade Bloom Oils, but as they are 100% pure, they are extremely potent.”
They’re all about educating essential oil enthusiasts about the safe use of essential oils, so they shared a video explaining more about essential oil ingestion.
Our Jade Bloom review holds all the information about this company and their products, if you wish to get to know them better.
Plant Therapy
Plant Therapy’s essential oils are 100% pure and natural. They follow strict guidelines for sourcing and manufacturing and evaluate each bach through third-party GC-MS testing. All the reports are published on their website for transparency.
While some Plant Therapy customers do indeed use their oils internally, the company doesn’t recommend ingestion. If customers do ingest essential oils, Plant Therapy advises them to do so with great respect for their potency and under the guidance of a clinical aromatherapist. This is their response about the internal use of essential oils:
“At this time, none of Plant Therapy’s certified aromatherapists are clinically trained to administer essential oils internally, so we cannot recommend or advise further on essential oil ingestion.”
Edens Garden
Edens Garden is known for high-quality, ethically sourced essential oils and their transparency about the sourcing and testing processes. But can Edens Garden oils be ingested? While they provide high-quality oils, they promote safe external use and advise against internal consumption without consulting a certified aromatherapist or healthcare practitioner. Here’s what they have to say about it:
“At Edens Garden, we do not recommend the internal use of essential oils without consulting with your medical doctor and an experienced aromatherapist.”
You can also read their blog post about this subject for a detailed explanation.
REVIVE
REVIVE essential oils are free from any additives, adulterants, fillers, synthetics, or dilutions. Since their oils are 100% pure and GC-MS tested, they are safe for internal use, but they emphasize how “not all essential oils are approved for internal use, so be sure to read the safety guidelines of the particular oil before ingesting.”
The company encourages safe internal use, as you can see from their take on the matter:
“REVIVE Essential Oils are so high quality and pure that you can take them internally. That means you can put drops under your tongue, you can put REVIVE Essential Oils & Blends in your coffee or tea, you can cook with them, and you can put them in veggie capsules and take those veggie capsules internally.”
You can find a full list of essential oils that can be consumed internally here.
Simply Earth
Simply Earth stands behind its Simply Pure Promise by offering high-quality and pure oils without artificial fragrances or fillers. The GC-MS reports are available on each product’s page for full transparency about the oils’ purity and quality. However, they are taking the “better safe than sorry” route when it comes to internal use.
If you’re wondering “Can you ingest Simply Earth essential oils,” the answer is yes, some of them can be ingested, but they advise against it. Here’s their viewpoint:
“As a company, we do not recommend the casual ingesting of essential oils. It can cause irritation and possible damage to your organs. Please do not ingest essential oils unless under the supervision of a medical doctor who is versed in pharmaceutics and who is an experienced aromatherapist.”
Aura Cacia
Aura Cacia is a well-established brand with a commitment to providing pure and natural essential oils. Their oils are GC-MS tested to guarantee authenticity, and the company supports sustainable sourcing practices to promote environmental responsibility. While their oils are 100% pure, they recommend using their products exclusively for aromatic and topical applications. Here’s their perspective on that topic:
“DO NOT use oils internally. Aura Cacia does not recommend cooking with or taking essential oils internally. There is not enough substantiated evidence to warrant this practice and it is a widely misrepresented and misunderstood topic. Essential oils are highly concentrated and toxicity varies with each oil. In addition, aromatherapy products are regulated by the FDA as cosmetics and must conform to cosmetic labeling regulations. Aura Cacia labels all products in compliance with regulations in order to protect users.”
Mountain Rose Herbs
Mountain Rose Herbs has a wide selection of responsibly sourced and certified organic oils. They prioritize ethical sourcing and environmental consciousness so their oils are both powerful and environmentally friendly. However, the company advises against the internal use of its essential oils, as seen on its website:
“Mountain Rose Herbs labels all of our essential oils for external use only. This labeling is mandated by the American Herbal Product Association’s Code of Ethics. Essential oils are extremely concentrated, and we do not recommend them for internal use for safety and regulatory reasons.”
Conclusion
The topic of essential oils for internal use remains controversial. While some companies may promote it, the majority—including us at Better Essential—advise against ingestion. Even brands such as Rocky Mountain Oils, Barefut, and Jade Bloom, which offer 100% pure oils safe for ingestion, generally advise against internal use.
There are plenty of safe and effective ways to benefit from essential oils without ingesting them. However, if you do choose to go down that path, don’t forget to seek guidance from a licensed healthcare provider and follow the instructions rigorously.
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