Aromatherapy oils are concentrated and should not be applied to the skin or taken internally.  There are also other times when Essential oils should be treated with caution or not be used at all, these are called Contraindications.  The following is a list of the contraindications for the various Essential oils.

OILS NOT TO BE USED AT ALL! - These oils are dangerous for anyone except a qualified Aromatherapist to use. They are either extremely toxic or cause severe skin irritation even in a diluted state.  These oils are:
Bitter Almond, Arnica, Boldo, Broom, Buchu, Calamus,Camphor(brown & Yellow), Cassia, Chervil,  Cinnamon(bark), Costus, Deertongue, Elecampane, Fennel(bitter), Horseradish, Jaborandi,  Melilotus, Mugwort, Mustard, Oregano, Pennyroyal, Pine(dwarf), Rue, Sage(common), Santolina,  Sassafras, Savine, Savory, Tansy, Thuja, Thyme(red), Tonka, Wintergreen, Wormseed and Wormwood.

OILS THAT  SHOULD BE USED IN SMALL DOSES FOR NO LONGER THAN 2  WEEKS. - These oils are fairly toxic or may have side effects such as nausea, vomiting and headaches and should be used with extreme caution:
Ajowan, Anise star, Aniseed, Basil(exotic), Bay laurel, Bay(west indian) Calamintha, Camphor(white), Cascarrilla bark, Cassie, Cedarwood(virginian), Cinnamon(leaf & bark), Clove(bud),  Coriander, Eucalyptus, Fennel(sweet), Hops, Hyssop, Juniper, Nutmeg, Parsley, Pepper(black),  Pine, Sage(spanish), Tagetes, Tarragon, Thyme(white), Tuberose, Tumeric, Turpentine and Valerian.

OILS THAT IRRITATE THE SKIN IF USED IN HIGH CONCENTRATION.  - These oils should be used in half the reccomended dilution, and no more than 3 drops in a bath. These oils are: 
Ajowan, Allspice, Aniseed, Basil(sweet)  Black pepper, Borneol, Cajeput, Caraway, Cedarwood(Virginian),  Cinnamon(leaf), Clove(bud),  Cornmint, Eucalyptus,  Garlic,  Ginger,  Lemon,  Parsley, peppermint, Pine(needle, Scotch & Longleaf), Thyme(white) and Tumeric.

OILS THAT CAUSE IRRITATION ON SENSITIVE SKIN.   These oils may cause eczema or dermatitis with people who have very sensitive skin. ( For people with senstive skin always test the oil on the back of your wrist, and leave for an hour. If irritation occurs bathe area with cold water and try a weaker concentration.) These oils are:
Aniseed, Basil(french), Bay laurel, Benzoin, Bergamot, Cade, Cajeput, Cananga, cedarwood (virginian), Chamomile(Roman and German), Citronella, Garlic, Geranium, Ginger, Hops,  Jasmine,  Lemon, Lemongrass, Lemon balm(Melissa), Litsea cubeba, Loveage, Mastic, Mint(pepper & spear), Orange, Peru balsam, Pine(scotch & longleaf), Styrax, Tea tree, Thyme(white), Tolu balsam,  Tumeric, Turpentine, Valerian, Vanilla, Verbena, Violet, Yarrow and Ylang Ylang.

OILS THAT ARE PHOTOTOXIC.   These are oils which can cause the skin to darken if exposed to direct sunlight.  Do not use these oils at all if the area will be exposed to sunlight.  These oils are:
Angelica root, Bergamot, Cumin, Ginger, Lemon, Lime, Loveage, Mandarin, Orange and Verbena.

OILS THAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED DURING PREGNANCY.  Due to the effects of these oils on the reproductive organs, and the sensitivity of the foetus, certain oils should not be used at all during pregnancy. These oils are:
Ajowan,Anjelica, Anise star, Aniseed, Basil, Bay laurel, Calamintha, Cedarwood(all types),  Celery seed, Cinnamon(leaf), Citronella, Clary sage, Clove, Cumin, Cypress, Fennel(sweet), Hyssop,  Jasmine, Juniper, Labdanum, lovage, Marjoram, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Parsley, Penyroyal, Peppermint, Rose, Rosemary, Snakeroot, sage, Tarragon and Thyme(white)

OILS THAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.   These oils should not be used:
Black pepper, Hyssop, Lemon, Lemongrass, Nutmeg, Rosemary, Sage (spanish & Common) and Thyme.

OILS THAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED WITH LOW BLOOD PRESSURE.  These oils should not be used:
Chamomile(Roman & German), Lemon balm, Lavender(true), Marjoram(sweet) and Ylang ylang.

THE OIL THAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED FOR DIABETES.  Anjelica.

THE OIL THAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED FOR KIDNEY PROBLEMS. Juniper.

OILS THAT SHOULD BE NOT BE USED WITH HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENTS.  These oils are not to be used by anyone recieving homeopathic treatment:
Black pepper, Camphor, Eucalyptus and Peppermint.

OILS THAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED WITH ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION.  These oils will increase the effects of alcohol:
Aniseed, Clary sage and Fennel.

THE OIL THAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED WITH  DEPRESSION.  Basil.

OILS THAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED WITH EPILEPSY.  These oils should not be used:
Fennel, Hyssop, Sage and Rosemary.

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