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Certain essential oils have convulsant properties and have been associated with seizures for centuries, though everyday use of oils has generally been considered safe for the average person. But after conducting the largest-ever case study of essential oil-related seizures in adults, a group of Indian neurologists have found evidence suggesting their use may not be as safe as we previously assumed.
In a paper published March 26 in Epilepsy Research, patients at four South Indian hospitals who experienced a seizure were evaluated for their use of camphor and eucalyptus essential oils. Analyzing 350 seizure cases that spanned a four-year period, the researchers determined that 15.7%, or the seizures of 55 patients, may have been induced by the inhalation, ingestion or topical use of essential oils.
After advising the patients to discontinue their use of the oils, they found that the vast majority of those patients did not experience another seizure during a follow-up period. Thomas Mathew, a professor and the head of the neurology department at St. John's Medical College Hospital in Bengaluru, India, told The Academic Times that he and his colleagues noticed an uptick of seizures that may have been caused by the patient using essential oils, in people with epilepsy and a history of seizures, and in those without such a history. They realized that they had not previously been asking their patients with epilepsy about exposure to balms and oils containing convulsant essential oils, which led them to develop and conduct more formal research on eucalyptus and camphor oil specifically.
"There is literature linking essential oils and seizures, especially that of camphor and eucalyptus, and especially in the pediatric age group," Mathew said. "But there are only a few case reports in adults." The researchers began asking non-epileptic patients who experienced their first seizure, and patients with epilepsy who experienced a breakthrough seizure, about their usage and exposure to the oils. A breakthrough seizure occurs suddenly after an epilepsy patient has not experienced a seizure for an extended period of time. Mathew called the initial results "surprising and shocking," as many patients reported using various balms, toothpastes, tablets and other items containing eucalyptus and camphor oil, which are popular in India for treating headaches, backaches and the common cold.
All over the world, essential oils are found in over-the-counter products for treating minor ailments. Their use has also grown as part of the health and wellness movement associated primarily with Western cultures, in personal care products for aromatherapy, stress relief and sleep aids. The global essential oils market has grown rapidly, reaching $17 billion in 2017 and projected to reach $27 billion by 2022, with Europe holding the largest share.
www.iflscience.com
In a paper published March 26 in Epilepsy Research, patients at four South Indian hospitals who experienced a seizure were evaluated for their use of camphor and eucalyptus essential oils. Analyzing 350 seizure cases that spanned a four-year period, the researchers determined that 15.7%, or the seizures of 55 patients, may have been induced by the inhalation, ingestion or topical use of essential oils.
After advising the patients to discontinue their use of the oils, they found that the vast majority of those patients did not experience another seizure during a follow-up period. Thomas Mathew, a professor and the head of the neurology department at St. John's Medical College Hospital in Bengaluru, India, told The Academic Times that he and his colleagues noticed an uptick of seizures that may have been caused by the patient using essential oils, in people with epilepsy and a history of seizures, and in those without such a history. They realized that they had not previously been asking their patients with epilepsy about exposure to balms and oils containing convulsant essential oils, which led them to develop and conduct more formal research on eucalyptus and camphor oil specifically.
"There is literature linking essential oils and seizures, especially that of camphor and eucalyptus, and especially in the pediatric age group," Mathew said. "But there are only a few case reports in adults." The researchers began asking non-epileptic patients who experienced their first seizure, and patients with epilepsy who experienced a breakthrough seizure, about their usage and exposure to the oils. A breakthrough seizure occurs suddenly after an epilepsy patient has not experienced a seizure for an extended period of time. Mathew called the initial results "surprising and shocking," as many patients reported using various balms, toothpastes, tablets and other items containing eucalyptus and camphor oil, which are popular in India for treating headaches, backaches and the common cold.
All over the world, essential oils are found in over-the-counter products for treating minor ailments. Their use has also grown as part of the health and wellness movement associated primarily with Western cultures, in personal care products for aromatherapy, stress relief and sleep aids. The global essential oils market has grown rapidly, reaching $17 billion in 2017 and projected to reach $27 billion by 2022, with Europe holding the largest share.
Use Of Certain Essential Oils Linked To Seizures, Study Suggests
Use Of Certain Essential Oils Linked To Seizures, Study Suggests
www.iflscience.com
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