Is it safe to ingest or drink essential oils?
This is the single most important safety message in the essential-oil community, and it is repeated constantly by experienced users and certified aromatherapists alike: do not swallow essential oils.
Essential oils are extremely concentrated — a single drop can represent the volatile compounds of a large amount of plant material. They are strong solvents, and taking them internally can irritate or damage the mouth, esophagus and stomach lining. Some oils (oregano, cinnamon, clove, wintergreen and others) are especially harsh, and a few are genuinely poisonous if swallowed.
Safer ways to use them
- Inhalation — a diffuser, a few drops on a tissue, or steam.
- Diluted topical use — always blended into a carrier oil first (see our dilution guide).
Be especially wary of any brand or seller who encourages adding oils to water, capsules or food. Internal-use marketing is a major reason multi-level-marketing oil companies are criticised. If you have ingested an essential oil and feel unwell, contact poison control or a doctor immediately.
What people actually say
Real, unedited voices from Reddit communities and verified Amazon.com reviews — cited, not paraphrased.
“They are strong solvents and can cause permanent irrevocable physical damage to the digestive tract. Also, a lot of the digestive tract has less nerve endings than the rest of your body, so by the time you feel it, damage is done.”
“She gave me 20 drops of oil of Oregano... I have never tasted anything so spicy and gross.”