Essential Oils to Avoid

Here is a non-exhaustive list of oils regularly found and whose use is not recommended in the presence of animals1:

  • Garlic (Allium sativum)
  • Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis): often soy oil with aloe gel, therefore not recommended.
  • Amyris (Amyris balsamifera)
  • Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
  • Star Anise (Illicium verum)
  • Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris and other species)
  • Lemon Basil (Ocimum X citriodorum)
  • Sacred Basil, Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), (Ocimum sanctum)
  • Benzoin (Styrax benzoin)
  • Agarwood, Oud (Aquilaria malaccensis)
  • Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora)
  • Boswellia frereana
  • Boswellia sacra
  • Boswellia serrata
  • Birch (Betula lenta)
  • Cajeput (Melaleuca minor)
  • Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
  • Red Cedar, Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)
  • Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): often synthesized or adulterated.
  • Cumin (Cuminum cyminum)
  • Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
  • Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum verum): often synthesized or adulterated.
  • Spruces (Hemlock, Red, White, Norway..), except Black Spruce
  • Eucalyptus dives
  • Cinnamon Leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanica)
  • Galangal (Alpinia galanga)
  • Galbanum (Ferula gummosa)
  • Wintergreen, Teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens): often synthesized or adulterated, an overdose can cause vomiting
  • Dill Seed (Anethum graveolens)
  • Caraway Seed (Carum carvi)
  • Helichrysum splendidum
  • Hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa)
  • Hops (Humulus lupulus)
  • Jasmine (Jasminum officinale): not an oil, but an Absolute, made with solvents and often synthesized or adulterated.
  • Spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia): often synthesized or adulterated.
  • Lavandin (Lavandula X intermedia): often synthesized or adulterated.
  • Field Mint (Mentha arvensis): often synthesized or adulterated.
  • St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
  • Mustard (Brassica nigra)
  • Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora)
  • Neroli (Citrus sinensis, Citrus aurantium)
  • Ocotea (Ocotea quixos)
  • Opoponax (Commiphora guidotti)
  • Cretan Oregano (Origanum onites)
  • Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens)
  • Pennyroyal, European Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium, several species)
  • Bay Rum, West Indian Bay, Indian Bay (Pimenta racemosa)
  • Allspice (Pimenta officinalis)
  • Ravensara (Agathophyllum aromatica, Ravensara aromatica)
  • Ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora)
  • Rosalina (Melaleuca ericifolia)
  • Sassafras (several species)
  • Khaki Bush, Tagetes (Tagetes minuta)
  • Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum)
  • Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
  • Vanilla (Vanilla planifora): not an oil, but an Absolute, made with solvents and often synthesized or adulterated.
  • Yuzu (Citrus junos)
  • Zdravetz (Geranium macrorrhizum)
  • Zinziba (Lippia javanica)

1SHELTON, M. The Animal Desk Reference II: Essential Oils for Animals. Self Published, 2018. ISBN : 9781986827010.

Back to blog