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Most of the green cleaning recipes we recommend involve infusing several drops of pure essential oils, which not only imbue the formulas with their heady natural fragrance and aromatherapeutic prowess, but in some cases can even boost a solution's cleaning power. Just because something's all-natural, however, doesn't mean you should abandon all caution, as Consumer Reports reminds us.
These highly concentrated plant extracts can cause adverse reactions in some instances, for example, and for that reason, they should never be ingested. Pregnant or nursing women, or people who suffer from asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, epilepsy, or migraine headaches, should also be mindful of using essential oils. For everyone else, the publication recommends the following precautions:1. Avoid toxic oils: Compounds found in wormwood, pennyroyal, sassafras, and wintergreen oils, to name some examples, can be toxic and difficult for the body to process. You may also experience problems if you're allergic to the plant family a certain oil is derived from, so check the label for its botanical origins if it's something you've never tried before.
2. Follow directions: Check the label for usage and safety information. If that's unavailable, Consumer Reports says, check the company's Web site, or don't use the product at all.
3. Apply with caution: Some oils that are meant to be inhaled, such as citrus oils, can cause severe burns if applied to skin before sun exposure. Other oils can result in rashes or burns if applied at full strength-again, check the label before use, because you may need to heavily dilute with bath soap or lotion before you can apply the oil to your skin. Tip: Avoid sensitive areas such as the genitals and your eyes.
4. Don't use them on kids: Not much information is available on how essential oils affect infants and small children-some oils that are safe for grownups may be dangerous for kids. Avoid using essential oils on infants and toddlers and use them cautiously with other children. (Consult your pediatrician if you're unsure.) Also remember to keep any oils out of the reach of children and pets. Certain oils can be toxic to cats if inhaled or ingested.
Difficulty level: Easy
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