Essential oil safety is crucial: know individual differences, low therapeutic margins, toxicity risks, and avoid skin irritation or sensitization for safe aromatherapy use.

Essential oils show promise as natural, safe food preservatives with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, potentially replacing synthetic additives to extend shelf life.

Volunteering in Nepal, I trained essential oil farmers on organic practices, safety, and marketing—learning as much from them as they did from me.