The Healing Power Of Oral Essential Oils

by Dr. Ariyana Love

Essential oils taken orally are the most effective way to administer natural medicines to obtain superior healing results.

The ancient knowledge of essential oil use has been largely canceled in today’s world, by pharmaceutical mafia interests who don’t want us healing ourselves. If people rediscover the traditional uses of essential oils, we won’t need pharmaceuticals, and they will lose profit.

While some naturopathic doctor (ND) programs include training on the internal use of essential oils, many health professionals, including naturopathic doctors, advise caution or recommend against oral use due to safety concerns. This suggests a lack of knowledge, a lazy and narrow-minded attitude, and an unwillingness to conduct the necessary research to learn about essential oils.

AI search engines warn “never” to use essential oils internally because it’s “dangerous” and spread false and misleading information about this. It’s a ploy to detour anyone from learning more about the subject.

The modern, industrialized allopathic medicine, created by the Rockefeller Foundation in 1918, is based on pharmacopeia. This system strictly forbids the oral use of essential oils. For example, a 2020 article from PMC states that “Safe use of essential oils is to not take essential oils internally” and warns that even safe oral doses of certain oils, such as eucalyptus, can cause harm. Similarly, a 2024 nursing guide explicitly advises that “Oral ingestion of essential oils should be avoided” due to the risk of toxicity and allergic reactions.

Courses such as Internal Use of Essential Oils offered by Naturopathic CE (taught by Annette Davis, CCN, NCCA) provide education on safe internal essential oil use, including guidelines, dos and don’ts, and common mistakes. The course is approved by multiple naturopathic licensing boards and reflects clinical experience in integrative medicine.

While some sources caution against self-medication and emphasize the need for professional oversight, this is not a blanket prohibition. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) stresses that herbal and botanical medicines, including essential oils, should be used under the guidance of trained professionals, not self-prescribed. I wholeheartedly agree. The untrained person should not administer essential oils orally without proper guidance from a qualified practitioner, but throwing the baby out with the bathwater is self-defeating.

There are some cautions to be aware of when using essential oils. Some can be harmful if ingested improperly. Some have time limits to their usage, such as eucalyptus, oregano, black walnut, and wormwood, for example. Echinacea, goldenseal, and feverfew are a few more examples of herbs that should only be used short-term. It’s important to know your herbs.

The use of essential oils orally is more common in countries like France and Germany, though in the U.S. and UK, it is generally limited to inhalation or topical application. The FDA classifies essential oils as “food supplements,” not drugs, and does not regulate them as medicines. Essential oils cannot be marketed as treatments for disease; however, there’s no law prohibiting the use of essential oils to benefit your health.

In my experience, “allergic reactions” only occur when there’s a higher load of pathogens or parasites that need to be cleared. However, a very small percentage of the population may have bona fide allergies to certain herbs. If you are aware of an allergy then avoid using those essential oils. There’s always multiple essential oil options to remedy every body ailment.

Critical info about essential oils

Essential oils are processed by steam distillation and oil isolation. It’s a lengthy process that requires high quantities of plant material. For example, it takes 14 pounds of lemon balm to isolate half an ounce of lemon balm essential oil. In order to obtain a half ounce of pine needle essential oil, it takes 3 pounds of pine needles. Rose requires 625 pounds of petals to obtain a half ounce of rose essential oil. It takes about two pounds of myrrh to produce a half ounce of myrrh essential oil. This is why essential oils differ in pricing.

Most essential oils sold on the market today are strictly for aromatherapy, to be used in a diffuser and aerosolized. Aromatherapy oils are typically made by solvent extraction or supercritical fluid extraction. These are not considered traditional for “true” or “pure” essential oils, as they leave behind chemical residues. However, it saves a manufacturer operational costs.

Hexane and ethanol are typically used as extraction solvents for aromatherapy oils, which are toxic and flammable. Distillation and rotary evaporation remove some of the solvents but leave a toxic residue. Hexane damages the peripheral nervous system. Ethanol affects multiple organ systems and can manifest acutely or chronically.

Food grade

When choosing an essential oil for oral use, the keyword to look for is “food grade.” This is how you know an essential oil is safe for oral consumption. Food-grade essential oils are safe and approved for oral ingestion. They’re processed only by steam distillation, without the use of industrial chemicals.

Food grade does not necessarily mean an essential oil is of high quality. You need to know your source and what you’re looking for to obtain the highest medicinal potential from an essential oil, and that will take study. Just as choosing a fine wine takes connoisseur skills, it’s similar to choosing essential oils.

An essential oil labeled “organic” also will not necessarily guarantee a high potency. And many high-end, food-grade essential oils won’t necessarily be labeled organic.

Herbal teas

Herbal tea is generally less effective than oral essential oils because of significant differences in concentration, extraction methods, and bioavailability. Herbal teas are beneficial to health, but any herb that’s applied through the digestive system is slow to process and has a limited capacity for cellular absorption.

Most herbal teas use short steeping times (3–10 minutes) and lower temperatures, which fail to extract many therapeutic compounds—especially oil-soluble or heat-resistant compounds. In contrast, essential oils are produced via steam distillation, which efficiently isolates volatile and active constituents.

Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts, requiring large amounts of volume to produce a small amount of extract. Essential oils’ high concentration allows rapid absorption through skin (topical), lungs (aromatherapy), and cells (oral), enabling systemic effects. Herbal teas, by comparison, deliver minimal amounts of active compounds, often diluted to palatable levels, reducing therapeutic impact.

Tinctures

Tinctures are typically made with alcohol as the solvent. Alcohol acts as a powerful extractant and preservative. Alcohol (often 60-70%) significantly enhances the bioavailability of the active compounds because alcohol helps dissolve and deliver these compounds efficiently into the bloodstream, especially when taken sublingually (under the tongue), or simply swished in your mouth for 90 seconds before swallowing.

When made properly, tinctures exhibit high bioavailability. Tinctures enable rapid absorption through mucous membranes, especially via sublingual administration, resulting in up to 98% absorption efficiency.

A tincture, however, contains far less oil in the form of volatile aromatic compounds, as compared to an essential oil, and therein lies the difference.

Bioavailability of oral essential oils

You will find a lot of disinformation in search engines about oral essential oil use. AI will repeatedly advise you not to use them orally. You will be confronted with warning after warning, such as the following:

If you scrutinize these claims, you’ll find there’s zero scientific data to support these biased claims. The sources referenced are not from clinical research; they’re from health opinion blogs. I believe the pharmaceutical companies and governments are responsible for deterring people from oral essential oil use because it’s actually the most effective way to achieve restorative health. If you ignore the fear-based psyop and look beyond to the actual science, you’ll find that the oral ingestion of essential oils is highly beneficial for health. You just have to pose the right questions to AI, the very questions we’re discouraged from asking.

Essential oils are being ingested orally for preventive and active medical care in many countries, as one study demonstrates.

Another study addresses the fact that inappropriate prescription practices will induce microbial resistance to antibiotics. The study shows that essential oils can be used as natural antibiotics, instead of pharmaceuticals.

Yet another study shows that essential oils are a viable alternative to synthetic compounds, and antibiotic resistance has been increasingly developed by pathogenic microorganisms.

Oral absorption of essential oils occurs rapidly due to their high lipophilicity, allowing them to pass through biological barriers like the gastrointestinal mucosa and enter the bloodstream efficiently.

A 2018 study in Sprague-Dawley rats demonstrated that geraniol had an absolute bioavailability of 92% when administered orally in an immediate-release formulation, indicating significant systemic absorption.

Similarly, research on 1,8-cineole showed clear absorption from the digestive tract in humans using enteric-coated capsules containing a mixture of terpenoids (limonene, 1,8-cineole, and α-pinene), with bioavailability reaching 95.6% in clinical studies for treating bronchitis and sinusitis.

Another study shows phenomenal results with the oral use of essential oils:

“The absorption rate in the buccal cavity mucosa is considered more than 3 to 9 times greater than that of the gastrointestinal system, and up to 4,000 times more permeable than the skin, making it a very efficient delivery method for essential oils. This suggests that a significant amount of essential oils rapidly enters the bloodstream when introduced into the oral cavity.”

A 2022 study suggests that oral essential oils are beneficial for humans and animals due to their “multi-target activity” and “broad-spectrum effects.”

Aromatherapy of essential oils is also beneficial to health. The olfactory pathway (through the nose) allows rapid access to the brain and systemic effects within seconds.

The beauty of essential oils is not only in their powerful detox capacity, but also their regenerative and restorative benefits to cells, tissues, organs, nervous system, and brain. Essential oils have the ability to reach every cell of your body and deposit their bioavailable nutrients directly into cells, for rapid regenerative health.

Essential oil detox (what you must know)

Parasites

When parasites die too quickly in the body, a detox reaction known as the Herxheimer reaction (or die-off reaction) can occur. This happens because the rapid death of parasites releases a large amount of toxins—such as acetaldehyde, ethanol, ammonia, and endotoxins—into the bloodstream. These toxins overwhelm the body’s natural detoxification systems, including the liver, kidneys, lymphatic system, and gut, leading to temporary symptoms.

Common Symptoms of Die-Off Reaction:

• Flu-like symptoms: Fatigue, headaches, body aches, chills, and mild fever
• Digestive issues: Bloating, gas, cramping, diarrhea, or constipation
• Skin reactions: Rashes, itching, or acne flare-ups
• Cognitive and mood changes: Brain fog, irritability, anxiety, or sleep disturbances
• Increased inflammation and immune activity, which may worsen existing health conditions temporarily

Why It Happens:

The detox reaction is not caused by the parasites themselves, but by the toxic byproducts they release during decomposition. If the body’s detox pathways are already congested or inefficient—due to poor diet, chronic illness, or impaired liver/kidney function—the toxins can be reabsorbed instead of eliminated, prolonging symptoms.

How Long Does It Last:

Typically, these symptoms last 24 to 72 hours, but can last up to 2 weeks depending on the parasite load, immune strength, and detox capacity. Symptoms often peak around days 3–5 and gradually improve by days 11–14. If detox reactions last up to 2 weeks, that indicates a higher parasite load.

How to Manage It:

• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to flush toxins through the kidneys.
• Support detox organs: Use liver-supportive herbs (milk thistle, dandelion), kidney-supportive teas (nettle, parsley), and binders like activated charcoal (from coconut husks) to trap toxins in the gut.
• Supplement support: Consider using E3AFA Blue Green Algae and the ASEA Redox supplement to assist in the removal of toxins. Sodium chlorite (chlorine dioxide) can be used as a low-income option.
• Eat light, nutrient-dense foods: Focus on vegetables (especially greens), broths, and fiber-rich whole foods; avoid sugar, processed foods, coffee, and alcohol.
• Rest and reduce stress: Prioritize sleep and gentle movement to conserve energy for detox.
• Slow down the cleanse: If symptoms are severe, reduce supplement dosage or pause for a few days to allow the body to recover.

A Herxheimer reaction may cause a person to become fearful and abandon the process, while blaming the essential oil for causing their symptoms. A person new to detox may start believing the propaganda that essential oils are “dangerous.” It’s the parasites and pathogens to blame for your disease. A Herxheimer reaction is not a sign of treatment failure—it reflects the body’s active response to clearing microbial burden. However, severe or worsening symptoms warrant qualified guidance.

Patience, consistency, and perseverance are necessary virtues for a natural healing process to be successful, and the reward is worth it. If you persevere past the two-week mark, then it’s smooth sailing, as your transformative healing journey accelerates.

Bacteria

When harmful bacteria die too quickly in the body, detox reactions or Herxheimer reactions (die-off) can also occur. This happens because the rapid breakdown of bacteria releases large amounts of toxins, endotoxins, and inflammatory byproducts into the bloodstream faster than the body’s detoxification systems (like the liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system) can eliminate them. As a result, the immune system mounts a heightened inflammatory response, leading to temporary symptom flares.

Common symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Brain fog
• Joint and muscle pain
• Digestive disturbances (bloating, diarrhea, or constipation)
• Flu-like symptoms (chills, body aches, nausea)
• Mood changes (irritability, anxiety, or sleep disruption)

These reactions are temporary, lasting from a few hours to several days, and are often a sign that the detoxification process is working. However, if symptoms are severe or prolonged, it may indicate that the detox pace exceeds the body’s clearance capacity, requiring a slower, more supportive approach.

To reduce the intensity of these reactions:

• Slow down the detox process (e.g., reduce supplement doses or frequency).
• Support detox pathways with hydration, nutrient-dense foods, fiber, and liver-supportive supplements.
• Sodium chlorite (chlorine dioxide) has a binding effect on toxins and will help your body flush toxins more easily.
• Supplement support: Consider using E3AFA Blue Green Algae and the ASEA Redox supplement to assist in the removal of toxins. Sodium chlorite (chlorine dioxide) can be used as a low-income option.
• Prioritize rest, Epsom salt baths (Borax, sodium bicarbonate, and unbleached sea salt will also work), and gentle sweating (saunas).
• Avoid additional toxins (alcohol, coffee, processed foods, and sugar) during detox.

Fungi

When fungi, such as Candida yeast, are eliminated too quickly from the body—whether through antifungal treatments, a strict Candida diet, or supplements—it can also trigger a Herxheimer reaction, commonly known as Candida die-off. This occurs because dying fungal cells release large amounts of toxins like acetaldehyde and endotoxins into the bloodstream, overwhelming the liver and kidneys’ detoxification capacity.

Key symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Fatigue and brain fog
• Digestive upset (bloating, nausea, diarrhea)
• Skin rashes or itching
• Muscle and joint pain
• Chills, low-grade fever
• Anxiety, mood swings, or sleep disturbances

These symptoms typically appear within hours to a few days of starting treatment and usually resolve within 2–5 days, though they may last up to two weeks in severe cases or with compromised detox pathways.

To manage rapid detox:

• Slow down the protocol: Reduce antifungal dosage or frequency.
• Stay hydrated: Drink 2–3 liters of water daily to support kidney function.
• Supplement support: Consider using E3AFA Blue Green Algae and the ASEA Redox supplement to assist in the removal of toxins. Sodium chlorite (chlorine dioxide) can be used as a low-income option.
• Support liver detox: Use gentle liver-supporting supplements like milk thistle and artichoke leaf.
• Promote elimination: Maintain regular bowel movements with fiber and consider binders like activated charcoal (coconut husks).
• Prioritize rest and stress reduction: Avoid intense exercise and focus on sleep, meditation, and gentle movement.

ASEA Redox

Essential oils are antioxidants. They need the balance of salts and their derivatives and isolates for their healing compounds to be more effectively utilized by our cells.

The ASEA Redox molecules supplement activates all cellular processes, enabling a smoother detox. I recommend using 4-8 ounces daily while on any detox program and when using essential oils. Redox molecules provide the cells with what they need to restore the innate operating system of your body to balance all bodily functions. Clinical research shows that ASEA Redox turns genes on, repairs DNA, and boosts endogenous glutathione levels by between 500-800%. Glutathione is the master antioxidant of our body, and boosting glutathione will reactivate organs to perform their natural detox functions.

Visit Dr. Love’s Apothecary Shop page to view ASEA Redox ordering options.

Dosages

Knowing dosages for essential oils is crucial. Since they contain a high concentration of organic compounds, only a very small amount is needed. Detox begins immediately as they effectively destroy pathogens and parasites throughout your body via the oral route.

If you have chronic health conditions, I recommend starting with 2-3 drops of an essential oil on day one. If you’re comfortable with this dosage, increase to 2-3 drops twice daily on day two. Since natural medicines have cycle times where they’re feeding your cells, it’s more beneficial to take them twice daily. This gives you a greater healing cycle during the day, resulting in quicker results.

If you need a little more time to acclimate, continue with 2-3 drops daily for 3-7 days. Next, increase your dosage to twice daily. Every 3-7 days, double your dosage until you reach 15 drops twice daily. Continue at this dosage for 3-4 months. It typically takes 3 months to remove all toxins from your body. After toxin removal, your cells begin focusing on regeneration and repair. This is why it’s more beneficial to give yourself 4 months on a detox protocol.

If you have a healthy immune system, you can start with 5 drops of essential oil on day one. If you’re comfortable with this dose, increase to 5 drops twice daily on day two. Every 3-7 days, increase your dose to 10 drops twice daily. After another 3-7 days, increase to 15 drops twice daily. Continue at this dosage for 3-4 months.

If you’re using multiple essential oils at once, the typical dosage range for a thorough detox and cell regeneration should not exceed 30 drops maximum per day. Once you have built a tolerance to 30 drops per day, and you’ve been at this dosage for about 6-8 weeks, it’s ok to add 3-6 drops twice per day of an additional essential oil. Any dosage above the dosages I’ve outlined will be over-saturation. So, please heed my warning and remember, no matter how healthy you are, everyone will Herxheimer if you take too much essential oils, too fast.

Maintenance dose

After a deep detox and renewal on a higher dose of essential oils (30 drops daily) for 3-4 months, you may continue for an additional two months at a high dose, to give your cells, tissues, organs, nervous system, nerves, and brain cells additional time to repair. Or you can take a one-month break from the essential oils and then continue using a maintenance dose. For example, in the range of 6-12 drops twice daily. This will prevent the microbes we’re exposed to on a daily basis from replicating in your body and protect your cells against damage from external pollutants.

Conclusion

I hope this article provided you with the knowledge necessary to allay all fears about the oral use of essential oils.

Please visit Dr. Love’s Apothecary Shop page for essential oil options. I’m in the process of adding more single essential oil products and creating new blends. In 10 days to 2 weeks, I will have a new Parasite Cleanse blend of 5 essential oils. This blend will target all parasite species, their eggs, and larvae simultaneously, for a more complete and rapid cleanse. I will also be offering a Women’s Health essential oil blend, Men’s Health, and Child’s Health that addresses the many pollutants we’re faced with in today’s times and need for immune support. I will soon have a Bone and Nerve Revive that repairs the nervous system, nerves and enables bone restoration after chemo “therapy.” In two weeks I’ll have an Oral Health oil pulling blend that’s superior to a mouthwash, a Facial Serum for aging skin, Heart Health, Brain Health Diabetes Aid, Sleep Aid, Digestive Aid, and a Radiation Defense. Plus, a Pain Away essential oil blend, and a Stress Away, as a natural anti-depressant and mood elevator.

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Visit Dr. Love’s Apothecary Shop