精油雖好，可別口服哦

Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts made from things found in nature, like lavender, tea tree, and peppermint. They're often used as aromatherapy or applied topically to help with various ailments and conditions.

精油是從自然界中發(fā)現(xiàn)的東西，如薰衣草、茶樹和薄荷中提取的高濃度提取物。他們經(jīng)常被用作芳香療法或局部應(yīng)用，以幫助各種疾病和情況。

While more scientific research on the use of essential oils is needed, some studies have found that they can help lower cortisol levels, prevent anxiety, and fight microbes (via WebMD). Even though essential oils have been used for centuries, it doesn't mean they don't have associated risks. One significant risk that concerns health experts is related to quality. There are plenty of products on the market with unsubstantiated health claims, and since these products don't require FDA approval, they're not regulated by any governing or medical body. This means that you may not really know what's in that bottle of peppermint oil. Aside from quality issues, ingesting essential oils can be dangerous and pose serious health risks for you and other family members.

雖然需要對精油的使用進(jìn)行更多的科學(xué)研究，但一些研究發(fā)現(xiàn)，精油有助于降低皮質(zhì)醇水平，預(yù)防焦慮，對抗微生物。盡管精油已經(jīng)使用了幾個世紀(jì)，但這并不意味著它們沒有相關(guān)的風(fēng)險(xiǎn)。健康專家關(guān)注的一個重大風(fēng)險(xiǎn)與質(zhì)量有關(guān)。市場上有大量未經(jīng)證實(shí)的健康產(chǎn)品，由于這些產(chǎn)品不需要FDA批準(zhǔn)，因此不受任何管理機(jī)構(gòu)或醫(yī)療機(jī)構(gòu)的監(jiān)管。這意味著你可能不知道那瓶薄荷油里有什么。除了質(zhì)量問題外，攝入精油可能是危險(xiǎn)的，會對您和其他家庭成員構(gòu)成嚴(yán)重的健康風(fēng)險(xiǎn)。

What happens if you swallow an essential oil?

喝下精油會發(fā)生什么?

While some studies show the benefits of using essential oils for aromatherapy or for topical use on the skin, they should not be taken internally, according to the National Capital Poison Center. Potentially harmful effects can occur due to inconsistent plant species, contaminants, drug-interacting ingredients, or allergens. Some particularly dangerous outcomes include seizures, hallucinations, and coma.

根據(jù)國家首都毒物中心的說法，雖然一些研究表明使用精油進(jìn)行芳香療法或皮膚局部使用有好處，但不應(yīng)內(nèi)服。由于不一致的植物種類、污染物、藥物相互作用成分或過敏原，可能會產(chǎn)生潛在的有害影響。由此會引發(fā)的一些特別危險(xiǎn)的結(jié)果包括癲癇發(fā)作、幻覺和昏迷。

Essential oils can be particularly unsafe for children. Unfortunately, when young children ingest these oils or even use them topically, it can lead to serious health complications. The Vanderbilt University Medical Center saw a rise in children being admitted to their poison center for ingesting essential oils. "The rule of thumb in toxicology is 'the dose makes the poison' so all essential oils are potentially harmful," said Justin Loden, certified specialist in poison information at the Tennessee Poison Center. "In children, poisoning typically occurs when they try to swallow the oil, but choke so that a little of it goes into the lungs which causes pneumonia; it only takes 2 milliliters (less than half a teaspoonful) to do that."

精油對兒童尤其不安全。不幸的是，當(dāng)幼兒攝入這些油甚至局部使用時，可能會導(dǎo)致嚴(yán)重的健康并發(fā)癥。范德比爾特大學(xué)醫(yī)學(xué)中心發(fā)現(xiàn)，因攝入精油而進(jìn)入中毒中心的兒童人數(shù)有所上升。田納西毒物中心毒物信息認(rèn)證專家賈斯汀·洛登說：“毒理學(xué)的經(jīng)驗(yàn)法則是‘劑量決定毒性’，因此所有精油都有潛在危害。”。“在兒童中，中毒通常發(fā)生在他們試圖吞下精油，但嗆住了，使一小部分精油進(jìn)入肺部而引起肺炎，不用多，只要2毫升(不到半茶匙)就足夠了。”

If you're starting to use essential oils, keep them securely away from children. Additionally, you may want to consult with your physician to discuss the risks, benefits, and proper usage of them first.

如果你開始使用精油，請將它們遠(yuǎn)離兒童。此外，您可能希望先咨詢您的醫(yī)生，討論其風(fēng)險(xiǎn)、益處和正確使用。