Knowing your limits...do you know yours?

Have you ever been on Pinterest or even Facebook and found a great DIY recipe that you just knew you could do? I know I have. Here's an important question when it comes to DIY and knowing your limits...do you know yours?

Think about it. How many times have you followed a recipe exactly as it was written only to find that the DIY item is not working the way you thought it would? Was the recipe incorrect? Are the essential oils not working as you hoped?

As I have discussed before, skincare and aromatherapy are two separate fields of study. Neither are as simple as just following a recipe. That's why knowing your limits are important.

Let’s dig into this a little deeper though. I promise, I have a point and it is important.

Practicing Responsibly-Do no harm

Recently, I was contacted by a responsible and very knowledgeable massage therapist who dabbles in essential oils. She was contacting me to find out about using essential oils in massage for a newborn infant that is suffering from methodone withdraws after being born.

While the massage therapist is very well trained and is a certified instructor for newborn massage, she recognized her limits in aromatherapy. For this, I can’t say how grateful I am and how much respect I have for her in what she does.

Using essential oils on a newborn is not something that any aromatherapists with clinical training take lightly. With newborns there is a high potential to sensitize the baby since their skin is still young and adjusting to their new environment.

There is also a huge concern for the potential disruption of the mother/baby bond that is created through the mom’s natural smell on her skin. This is due to how potent essential oils are and just how overwhelming the aromas can be for a baby.

One other concern is that some essential oils can be life threatening to an infant if they are not used properly and within safe distance from the baby.

Asking Questions is Good!

If you are ever in a situation where you need medical assistance, I'm sure you would not go to Brakes Plus. Along the same lines, while we can search you tube and learn how to replace our own brakes, would we go to our Doctor for this?

Any time you have questions regarding someone using essential oils whether it is a massage therapist, a chiropractor, or even a doctor it is perfectly acceptable to ask questions. You can ask where they received their aromatherapy training before allowing them to use them on you or prescribe them to you.

The same can be said for an aromatherapist. Ask questions. No matter how silly you think they are. It's important for you to know that the person you are working with knows their limits and has your best interest at heart.

Just because we can do something, if it's not something we really understand with a lot of depth, should we? Kudos to those that know their limits and ask others to help them!