If you’re taking medication and want to embrace essential oils, please understand that sometimes there are essential oils and medication contraindications. If you are taking medication and would like to incorporate essential oils into your lifestyle, please consult with a doctor and/or pharmacist well versed in essential oil use and do plenty of your own research as well.
********* This post is NOT at all meant to be used for diagnosis, treatment, or cure of any ailment. This is designed as a reference for information only on how some essential oils *may* react with certain medications. That doesn’t mean they will or will not, which is why it is best to consult with a licensed medical professional who understands essential oils and medication… your pharmacist would be a great starting point. This list may not be fully complete. It is solely based on my own personal research on the topic, and based off the most commonly asked questions I personally have had asked.
”Essential oils are known to be active: they gain access to cells by virtue of being fat soluble and are metabolized by the body. As active agents they may react with other drugs present in the body, although there has been no evidence so far that would imply any significant adverse reaction, and essential oils have been used together with allopathic drugs successfully in hospitals.” Price continues: “Until laboratory investigations into possible reactions between essential oils and other drugs have been carried out, it is possible only to surmise what may happen.”
Excerpt from: Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, 4e by Shirley and Len Price
Anything that is applied to your skin or swallowed is metabolized by your body. How that substance reacts within your body determines the nutrition your cells receive. Ideally, this will enable your cells to thrive, but is important to understand some substances can react with others in unexpected and unintentional ways.
Everything we eat, drink, and rub on our skin has a possibility of reacting differently to each other within our bodies, which is precisely why it’s important to be aware of how medicine and essential oils can react with each other. Medication is primarily taken orally, and is processed through our digestive system, including our liver. This determines how quickly we metabolize the medication, and how often that medication should be taken.
When incorporating essential oils to the mix, it is difficult to predict how essential oils will interact with different medications primarily because there aren’t much of anything for studies that explain the how/what/where/when/why of the whole situation. While some oils may enhance medication effects, others could contraindicate them. Some essential oil constituents increase metabolism, which will mess with how quickly your medication is metabolized too. Some oils can slow down metabolism. Either way, altering the amount of time your body metabolizes can change your medication needs. This is why it is critically important to discuss contraindications with a pharmacist or medical doctor who understands and has experience with essential oils (not all doctors do).
Most Commonly Asked Question: Is Grapefruit Essential Oil safe to use when taking medication?
Because grapefruit essential oil and medication concerns are the most frequently asked questions I receive, I thought I’d give it its own little section here.
It is well known across the medical community, that the fruit/juice of grapefruit blocks an enzyme found in your intestine’s wall that prevents many different medications from being absorbed. Because of this many people avoid grapefruit essential oil. Keep in mind that grapefruit essential oil is made from the grapefruit’s rind, not from the fruit. The rind is not known for blocking the enzyme in question.
A video by my favorite pharmacist, Lindsey Elmore, that discusses Grapefruit and Medication:
Personally, I still recommend talking with a pharmacist and following your gut instinct.
If you’re not comfortable using grapefruit essential oil, please don’t ever feel that you *have* to use it. There are other oils that can help in the same way as grapefruit that aren’t made with any part of a grapefruit. Please watch the above video that explains it in detail by a pharmacist with extensive research in essential oils.
A list of medication types with essential oils to avoid:
Below is a list of different medication types we’ve been asked about during our individual and group coaching sessions with our members, and which oils are wise to stay away from.
Anesthesia –
Oils high in 1,8 cineole can interfere with anesthesia metabolism. Because of this, it is widely recommended to not use rosemary, eucalyptus, ravintsara, and bay laurel essential oils in any way prior to having anesthesia administered. Yes, this includes both aromatic and topical use. Rhiannon Harris (a clinical aromatherapist) recommends not using them at all within a week prior to surgery to make sure you prevent any unforeseen complications.
Anticoagulants/Beta Blockers (Asprin, Coumadin, Heparin, Warfarin…etc)
The constituent Eugenol, which is found in clove, thyme, and oregano, should not be taken internally. You should also avoid using birch and wintergreen oils topically and orally as well.
The same suggestions for people taking anticoagulants should apply to people who have clotting or bleeding issues or hemophilia, and people who are about to undergo or recently underwent: major surgery, childbirth, peptic ulcer… etc…
Antidepressants (SSRI/MAOI) –
Everything I’ve read suggests to stay away from using clove and nutmeg both in topical and oral applications because of possible blood pressure changes, tremors, or possible confusion.
Oils containing the constituents Farensene and Alpha-Bisabolol inhibit the metabolizing enzyme CYP2D6 that can enhance the effects of the antidepressants. These essential oils include: German chamomile, blue tansy, and yarrow
Birth Control Contraceptives –
There is limited research available on using essential oils and birth control, but the studies that do exist indicate having no effects on contraceptives.
According to Robert Tisserand (an expert in aromatherapy science), it is unlikely that aromatherapy has any unwanted effect on oral contraception or hormone replacement therapy, and notes that any research hinting contraindicating effects is nonexistent.
Diabetic Medication –
The constituent Citral, which is found in Lemongrass and Lemon Myrtle should be avoided orally.
Anise, Star Anise, Cassia, Cinnamon, Dill, Fennel, Geranium, Lemongrass, may Chang, Melissa, Myrtle, Lemon Myrtle, Oregano, Savory, and Tumeric essential oils all have the ability to influence blood sugar levels.
Calcium Channel Blockers (such as high blood pressure medicines… specifically felodipine)
Peppermint may enhance the effects of calcium channel blocker medication when taken orally.
Diuretics
It is wise to avoid Anise when taking diuretics because it has antidiuretic qualities to it.
Ephedrine (in many diet drugs)
It would be wise to avoid the constituent Eugenol, which is found in clove and nutmeg, because of possible cardiovascular changes.
Sedatives (barbiturates, benzodiazepines, anesthetics…etc) –
Essential oils high in 1,8 cineole, such as rosemary, eucalyptus, ravintsara, and bay laurel, should be avoided because they instigate faster metabolism rates for these medications. ** These oils may impact metabolism when applied topically or taken internally.
Thyroid medications –
Everything I’ve read on essential oils and the thyroid suggests they make great pairs. I’d suggest heading over to YouTube and checking out Dr Haggerton’s thyroid video recording.
The only thing I would suggest is avoiding ingesting oils that can trigger increasing metabolism. Definitely talk with your pharmacist or D.O. too, just in case.
Transdermal medications (skin patches) –
There are no specific oils to avoid when you’re using skin patches, though I wouldn’t recommend placing citrus on or around where you plan to place a patch within the next day or so.
You should avoid placing any essential oils or oil-infused products on or around the general area of where the patch is located because they *might* alter the dose you receive by speeding up or slowing down the delivery of the medication.
References:
Harris, Rhiannon. “Drug-Essential Oil Interactions: Risks and Reassurances,” Presentation to Alliance of International Aromatherapists, (17 Dec. 2008), Denver, CO.
Price, Len; Price Shirley (2011-11-11), Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, Elsevier Health Sciences UK, pg 71
Stewart, David Ph.D., D.N.M, The Chemistry of Essential Oils Made Simple, Care publications, 2005, pages 395-396.
Tissarand, Robert; Young, Rodney, Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals, Elevier Health Sciences UK 2nd Edition 2014, pages 57-59.
Please Note…
This is not a complete compilation… just what we have researched so far.
While I am a herbalist, I am not a pharmacist, physician, or nurse practitioner (more importantly… I’m not YOUR medical professional). This post is designed for informational purposes only, based on my research. I AM a herbalist and military-trained information research analyst providing a free reference based on common questions I have researched for my clients. This post should not be used as medical advice or replace a consultation with your medical professional or health team.
A Note From Nicole
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Nicole
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BEFORE YOU COMMENT…
Please DO NOT contact us or comment regarding questions relating to specific health ailments or whether or not you can take an oil internally with your prescription. I am not a health professional (more specifically, I am not YOUR health professional), and will only refer you to discuss your situation with your pharmacist. Legally and ethically, I am obliged to not approve comments discussing diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition.
If you are taking a medication type (not specific medication name) that is not listed and would like to have it added, you’re welcome to comment about it below.
Nicole is a military-trained research analyst, homeschooling mom, healthy lifestyle coach, flexible business consultant, and writer for MotherhoodTruth.com and GracefullyAbundant.com. After living through and overcoming a season of homelessness and chronic health, Nicole developed a passion for helping others develop healthier habits using functional nutrition, herbalism, and renewing faith.
Do you have a recommended place to research lemon vitality easential oil ingested in water and the use of cephalexin?
Hi Amber, thank you for commenting. Unfortunately there are very few essential oil studies available. All the references I have and routinely use are listed as resources at the end of this post. I do not advocate for dripping essential oils directly in water, only adding them to salt or honey first to help dilute them. Everything that I’ve seen indicates to be careful ingesting, especially within a few hours of taking anything orally. I am not a medical professional… just a nerd sharing some research findings as a resource for common questions our members ask. This would be a better question to discuss with your pharmacist.
I’m looking for research about using Lady Sclareol, scolaressence and Progessence plus when taking oral estrogen. I recently read a post that said you should not take any of the above oils when taking an oral estrogen. I can not find any research to this effect as I’ve been using these oils along with endoflex and take an oral estrogen. I recently tried to stop the oral estrogen and it was not a good experience and returned to using it. I’ve had a partial hysterectomy but my estrogen levels have always been low and started having symptoms of menopause at 30 – I’m now 51. Have you found any reasearch in this area. Thanks in advance.
Hi Vicki, thank you for commenting! I was just reading about some of this the other day. There are a lot of reports saying you “can’t” take them… but those seem to be older articles. Newer articles suggest it is ok, but again you would be better off discussing this with your pharmacist and using your intuition. The truth of all the conflicting info out there is that there has been absolutely 0 (NO) study that has shown essential oils to have any impact on birth control pills or any hormone replacement therapy.
There is a good video by Dr Lindsey Elmore (pharmacist and essential oils expert) that addresses this that you may want to watch: https://www.facebook.com/lindseyelmore/videos/1136527456487706/
Hi Amber! I don’t think you are a nerd, but a hardworking dedicated Alternative Health passionate individual the same as me and may have saved me time looking up all i need to know.
Anyway my question is: If avoiding the Young living Blends do you think that means avoiding all the oils in those blends aswell if bought separately, or is it just some of the oils you have researched that happen to be in these blends you advise not using?
My partner is on alot of medication including Morphine tablets and Morphine medicine (he tries not to take the medicine) and i want to try to incorporate the right oils aswell for him for his immunity aswell as buy a good Probiotic supplement for him.
Hi Stephanie, Thank you for commenting! When it comes to avoiding oils because of a specific health condition, I only look at avoiding those particular oils. I have mostly Young Living members reading through this website, so we added the blends that contain the individual oil listed in recommended oils to avoid. Definitely talk with a pharmacist or functional medicine doctor about your individual needs with regards to supplementing medications.
Hi Nicole,
You mention avoiding oils taken orally or rubbed on the skin. What about inhalation of the oils?
Hi Wendy, thank you for commenting! There was very little info about diffusing and whether it could cause issues, so the only references I have seen so far are listed. I assume looking through the references I’ve read through, that diffusing is ok since they mostly only talked about topical and oral with little to no reference on diffusing, though I do strongly encourage you to seek the guidance of a pharmacist, DO, Functional Medicine doctor, or DC who may better guide you. I’m not a doc, chemist, pharmacist, or medical professional. I’m only sharing what I’ve found through my own research.
Very informative. Thanks! How about oils to avoid when taking atorvastatins?
Hi Linnor, Thank you for commenting! I strongly advise you talk with your pharmacist or a DO who is well educated in essential oils and ask them. I haven’t personally found anything that definitively states to avoid oils when taking statins/atorvastatins, though I would suggest using caution if taking any oils internally to boost metabolism. When in doubt, follow your intuition and use oils on the conservative side.
Hi. Your article is very informative, thank you! I’d just like to ask, would the essential oils listed here also have contraindications if it is used in soap in low dosages? Would I have to put a warning on my soaps for people to look out for?
Hi Bee. Thank you for your comment! I’m not 100% sure what the answer is. I strongly suggest talking with a pharmacist and a business lawyer. The literature available for safety is not very thorough. It doesn’t talk much about amounts, just possible contraindications with very limited data available. I tend to recommend erring on the side of caution, but I’m also much more conservative with my oil use than most people are. Common sense tells me in that low of doses, they should be ok… seeing how there are MANY products all over the marketplace that has essential oils as fragrance agents in food and personal care products. I would suggest having a disclaimer on your individual product pages that discusses the oils used in your products in with your ingredients with a “** do not use if you’re sensitive to the ingredients,” which is what I’ve seen most manufacturers do. I do feel it would be wise to include some sort of a disclaimer, but you’re always welcome to link to this article too for people on medications worried about medical contraindications.