Lavender (lavandula angustifolia) • Galbanum (ferula gummosa) • Frankincense (boswellia carteri) • South African Geranium (pelargonium graveolens) • Ylang Ylang (cananga odorata) • Spruce (picea mariana) • Cinnamon (cinnamomum verum) • Rose (rosa damascena) • Sandalwood (santalum album).
Brand name products often contain multiple ingredients. To read detailed information about each ingredient, click on the link for the individual ingredient shown above.
Below is general information about the effectiveness of the known ingredients contained in the product Gathering Essential Oil. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
There is insufficient reliable information available about the effectiveness of galbanum.
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
Below is general information about the safety of the known ingredients contained in the product Gathering Essential Oil. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when frankincense essential oil is used topically or by inhalation as aromatherapy (7107). ...when frankincense gum extracts of Boswellia are used topically. Cream containing Boswellia 0.5% to 2% has been used with apparent safely for up to 30 days (21156,21157,91380).
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. Galbanum has Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status for use in foods in the US (4912).
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used topically and appropriately (11). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of galbanum when used orally in medicinal amounts.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using in amounts greater than those found in foods.
LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. Lavender has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for food use in the US (4912).
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately in medicinal amounts (9792). In clinical research, a specific product containing lavender oil (Silexan, Dr Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG) has been used safely at doses of 80-160 mg daily for up to 10 weeks (58077,58080,58098,97257). Powdered dried lavender flowers 500 mg twice daily has also been used with apparent safety for up to 8 weeks (97256). ...when used topically and appropriately. Lavender oil has been used safely for up to 7 months in adults (5177,109858,109865). ...when the essential oil is inhaled as a part of aromatherapy. Clinical studies have used lavender oil aromatherapy with apparent safety for up to 12 weeks (7107,12213,16393,16394,95634,103062,103063,103065,103068).
CHILDREN: POSSIBLY SAFE
when the essential oil is inhaled as a part of aromatherapy.
Clinical studies have used lavender oil aromatherapy with apparent safety in single doses for up to 2 minutes (109868).
CHILDREN: POSSIBLY UNSAFE
when applied topically in males.
Anecdotal reports suggest that applying topical products containing lavender oil to prepubertal males may result in gynecomastia in some cases (15254,95643). Products with a higher concentration of lavender oil and more frequent applications might be more likely to result in gynecomastia.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable evidence available.
Preliminary clinical research shows that lavender essential oil can be inhaled during labor, with no apparent adverse outcomes in the infants (95633). Although this study suggests safety, high quality assessment of safety has not been conducted.
There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of hemlock spruce.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally or appropriately, short-term. A specific extract of Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630, Dr. Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals), in doses of 4.5-9 mL daily when administered as a solution or 90 mg daily when administered as a tablet, has been safely used for up to 24 weeks (14258,16641,16647,16649,16651,17417,81557,81565,94580,97318)(97319,106647). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of Pelargonium sidoides when used orally, long-term.
CHILDREN: POSSIBLY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately, short-term.
A specific extract of Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630, Dr. Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals) in doses of 3 mL daily has been used with apparent safety in children aged 6-10 years for up to 7 days (14262,16641,16651,17417,94580).
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. White sandalwood oil has Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status for use in foods in the US (4912).
POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when used orally for longer than 6 weeks. Use for more than 6 weeks is associated with kidney damage (12,19). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of white sandalwood when inhaled or when used topically in amounts greater than those found in cosmetics.
PREGNANCY: LIKELY UNSAFE
when used orally in medicinal amounts; sandalwood is reported to have abortifacient effects (19); avoid using.
LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using amounts greater than those found in foods.
LIKELY SAFE ...when used in amounts commonly found in foods. Ylang ylang oil has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US (4912). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of ylang ylang oil when used orally or topically in medicinal amounts.
CHILDREN: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally in amounts commonly found in food.
Ylang ylang oil has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US (4912).
CHILDREN: POSSIBLY SAFE
when used topically.
Ylang ylang oil has been used with apparent safety as three applications to the scalp at 5-day intervals (13483). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of ylang ylang oil when used orally in medicinal amounts in children.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally in amounts commonly found in food.
Ylang ylang oil has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US (4912). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of using ylang ylang oil in medicinal amounts.
Below is general information about the interactions of the known ingredients contained in the product Gathering Essential Oil. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
Theoretically, taking galbanum with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Details
In an animal diabetic model, galbanum resin reduces levels of fasting blood glucose at doses of 100 mg/kg, but not 400 mg/kg (107782). This has not been shown in human research.
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Theoretically, lavender might potentiate the therapeutic effects and adverse effects of CNS depressants.
Details
Laboratory research suggests that lavender has sedative effects (7). However, clinical studies in patients taking oral lavender oil (Silexan) 160 mg for 10 weeks or taking lavender flower powder 1 gram daily for 2 months have not reported side effects of drowsiness, sedation, or sleepiness (97256,103061). There is still some concern that higher doses or different preparations of lavender might have additive effects with CNS depressant medications.
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Theoretically, Pelargonium sidoides might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs.
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Theoretically, Pelargonium sidoides might decrease the effectiveness of immunosuppressant therapy.
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White sandalwood is thought to have diuretic properties. Theoretically, due to these potential diuretic effects, white sandalwood might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium. The dose of lithium might need to be decreased.
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Below is general information about the adverse effects of the known ingredients contained in the product Gathering Essential Oil. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
General
...Topically and by inhalation, frankincense essential oil seems to be well tolerated.
For information on the safety of frankincense when used orally, see the Boswellia serrata monograph.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Topically: Dermatitis, irritation, itching.
Dermatologic ...In one case report, a 68-year-old female presented with contact dermatitis after frequent diffusion of a specific frankincense essential oil product (Young Living Essential Oils) and application to the pillow each night. The patient also applied various other creams to the face. Patch testing identified a positive reaction to frankincense oil and multiple other substances (110145). In another case report, a 28-year-old female developed a severe eczematous rash on the thigh after applying a cream containing frankincense, rosemary, olive oil, and beeswax for 5 days. Patch testing identified a positive reaction to frankincense only (36892).
Immunologic ...Frankincense has been rarely reported to cause allergic skin reactions. In one case report, a 68-year-old female with no history of atopy presented with contact dermatitis after frequent diffusion of a specific frankincense essential oil product (Young Living Essential Oils) and application to the pillow each night. The patient also applied various other creams to the face. Patch testing identified a positive reaction to frankincense oil and multiple other substances (110145). In another case report, a 28-year-old female with a history of atopy developed a severe eczematous rash on the thigh after applying a cream containing frankincense, rosemary, olive oil, and beeswax for 5 days. Patch testing identified a positive reaction to frankincense only (36892).
General ...No adverse effects have been reported; however, a thorough evaluation of safety outcomes has not been conducted.
General
...Orally, lavender is well tolerated in food amounts and seems to be well tolerated in larger amounts.
Topically, lavender oil seems to be well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Breath odor, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, eructation, headache, and nausea.
Topically: Allergic contact dermatitis (with lavender oil).
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Topically: Cases of gynecomastia have been reported in prepubertal males using lavender oil.
Cardiovascular ...Orally, a specific lavender oil ingredient (Silexan) has been associated with palpitations (103061).
Endocrine ...Topical products containing lavender oil alone, including a product referred to as agua de violetas, or in combination with tea tree oil have been linked to at least six cases of gynecomastia when used in prepubertal males. In each case, gynecomastia resolved when the lavender oil products were discontinued. It is thought that the estrogenic and antiandrogenic activity of lavender oil and tea tree oil resulted in gynecomastia in these cases (15254,95643).
Gastrointestinal ...Orally, lavender oil, including a specific lavender oil ingredient KG), may cause gastrointestinal disturbance, including dyspepsia, diarrhea, breath odor, eructation, and nausea (58077,58080,58098,93004,103061). Tincture of lavender has been linked to cases of constipation and increased appetite; however, it is unknown if this occurred at a greater rate than with placebo (9792).
Immunologic ...Topically, use of lavender oil, such as in personal care products, might cause allergic contact dermatitis in some patients (6,101728). There have been numerous case reports of allergic contact dermatitis and eczema linked to lavender oil exposure from shampoos, lotions, fragrances, or direct application of oil to pillows (10031,58043,58109,58120,101728).
Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, lavender flower powder, tincture of lavender containing 50% alcohol, and a specific lavender oil ingredient (Silexan) have been linked to headache (9792,103061,109860). Headache has also been reported rarely following lavender oil aromatherapy (109860).
Pulmonary/Respiratory ...In one case report, a 34-year-old Japanese female presented with complaints of dyspnea, cough, and fever 2 weeks after initiating lavender essential oil therapy via humidifier. The patient had an oxygen saturation of 88% and was diagnosed with acute eosinophilic pneumonia. Symptoms improved after a course of corticosteroids and discontinuation of aromatherapy (109979).
General ...None reported; however, a thorough evaluation of safety outcomes has not been conducted.
General
...Orally, Pelargonium sidoides is generally well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Allergic skin rash, diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset.
Cardiovascular ...Orally, Pelargonium sidoides has been reported to cause small increases in body temperature and pulse during clinical trials (16649,17417).
Dermatologic ...Orally, Pelargonium sidoides has been associated with allergic skin rash (14262,81557).
Gastrointestinal ...Orally, Pelargonium sidoides has been associated with gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea (14262,81557,97318,97319,106647,112123).
Hematologic ...Orally, Pelargonium sidoides has been associated with epistaxis in one clinical trial (97318).
Hepatic ...Orally, Pelargonium sidoides does not appear to cause hepatotoxicity. Evaluations of hepatotoxicity cases in patients taking Pelargonium sidoides show it was only possibly associated in 4 of the 28 reported cases. In the remaining 24 cases, Pelargonium sidoides was unlikely to be the cause of hepatotoxicity, or was excluded as the cause. Other causes of hepatotoxicity in these cases included infectious disease, pre-existing liver disease, acute pancreatitis, and hepatotoxicity due to conventional medication use (94578,94579).
Immunologic ...Orally, Pelargonium sidoides has been associated with over 34 reports of allergic reactions (81567). Urticaria is the most common reaction but there were also cases of conjunctivitis, rhinitis, and systemic allergic reactions including bronchospasm, dyspnea, tachycardia, and circulatory failure (16651,81567).
General ...Orally, white sandalwood may cause itching, nausea, gastrointestinal complaints, and blood in the urine (18). Use of large doses or for more than 6 weeks is associated with kidney damage (12,19). Topically, contact dermatitis can occur in sensitive individuals (73081,73082,99292).
Dermatologic ...Orally, white sandalwood may cause itching (18).
Gastrointestinal ...Orally, white sandalwood may cause nausea and gastrointestinal complaints (18).
Immunologic ...Topically or when inhaled, there are case reports of white sandalwood paste or oil causing contact and photoallergic contact dermatitis (73081,73082,99292).
Renal ...Orally, use of large doses of white sandalwood or for more than 6 weeks is associated with kidney damage, with blood in the urine (12,18,19).
General
...There is currently a limited amount of information on the adverse effects of ylang ylang oil.
A thorough evaluation of safety outcomes has not been conducted.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Topically: Dermatitis, pruritus.
Dermatologic ...Topically, ylang ylang oil in combination with other herbs can cause localized pruritus (13483).
Immunologic ...Topically, ylang ylang oil in combination with other herbs has caused contact dermatitis in various case reports (98615).