Aromatherapy and Medications

Essential oils are highly concentrated substances. Although they are natural, this does not mean they can be used without regard to safety. It is possible to do damage with essential oils. They can go hand in hand with pharmaceutical medications, but there can be some cautions and exclusions. When starting a medication prescription, it’s best to wait for 4-6 weeks before adding an essential oil protocol. Taking too many remedies makes it difficult to tell what may be helping or not helping.

Some essential oils are contraindicated with certain medications due to how they are metabolized by the liver. This can include antidepressants, blood thinning medications, and analgesics, among others. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) essential oil is a great oil to use with digestive issues. However, it is also a blood thinner. So, if a person is already on blood thinning medication, fennel essential oil would be contraindicated. Additionally, fennel essential oil is contraindicated for those on diabetes medication and if pregnant or have a history or estrogen-dependent cancer. The good news is that there are several essential oils that do not have these safety considerations and could be used for digestive problems.

In one research study on drug-resistant bacterial infections (MRSA), it was shown that essential oils used with antibacterial medications were an effective treatment against drug-resistant infections.

An aromatherapist can check for contraindications and suggest alternatives to those oils that may cause a negative interaction.