A Guide to Using Essential Oils in Glass Water Bottles

One of the great benefits of having a pure glass water bottle is that you can add essential oils to your water without the worry that compounds in your essential oils are dissolving the plastic bottle. However, ingesting essential oils can be dangerous if done incorrectly. Essential oils are extremely high concentrations of a fruit, herb, plant, or flower. For example, one drop of peppermint essential oil is equivalent to 26 – 28 cups of peppermint tea. Many oils are not safe for internal use, and others should be used with caution. To help you stay safe when using essential oils in our glass bottles, we’ve put together this guide to get started.

Never store essential oils in plastic containers

Undiluted essential oils can eat through plastics, and even diluted oils will degrade plastics over time. Certain oils, especially citrus, are more caustic towards plastic. Other hot oils include Cinnamon, Thyme and Oregano. When the oil eats away the lining of the plastic, it not only ruins the oil, but it also can cause you to ingest the plastic, as well. For this reason, always choose glass water bottles when using essential oils in a beverage. Glass is non-permeable and won’t absorb color, odor or taste, and it won’t be damaged by essential oils. When using essential oils, be careful not to get any of the residues on other surfaces, as oils will stain wood, plastic and fabrics. Wash your hands after using oils to keep from leaving fingerprints on the outside of your Glasstic bottle.

Which essential oils are safe to use internally?

Before choosing an oil to mix with your drink, check to make sure it’s on the FDA’s certified GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) list. You can find the list here. Avoid purchasing them at a bath and body store, as these are made for perfumes. They are usually adulterated with chemicals to extend the life of the scent. The quality and purity of the essential oils you’re ingesting are perhaps the most important part of this equation. Consuming only pure essential oils means you’re getting the true health benefits and not ingesting any harmful added chemicals.

Always read all the safety labels before ingesting any essential oil. Some are made for taking internally, but others should never be ingested. Look for essential oils that are labeled as “supplements.” These are generally meant for internal use. This may not be true with other brands, as lower quality oils may be toxic. Additionally, safe oils should only be ingested under the direction of a certified aroma therapist and for short durations. If you are pregnant, nursing or have a medical condition, don’t ingest essential oils without consulting with your physician.

How to ingest essential oils safely

Before taking GRAS essential oils internally, test them by adding one drop of essential oil to one teaspoon of an oil-soluble liquid like blue agave, olive oil or rice milk and watch for any reactions after ingesting.

Always dilute your essential oils prior to ingestion. Water and oil don’t mix, so you will need to find a way to dilute the oil before adding it to the water. Try adding a drop of oil to a tsp (or more) or honey or coconut oil and then mixing it into a cup of warm water. Start with a very small amount of oil. When oils are ingested, about 95 percent is absorbed into the blood stream as opposed to up to 10 percent when applied topically. This makes the risk of ingesting too much even higher.

Essential Oil Recipes

• Sliced grapefruit, cantaloupe, and honeydew with 1 drop lime essential oil
• Cranberries sliced in half, kiwi, blackberries, blueberries, pomegranate seeds, and basil with 2 drops lime essential oil
• Sliced carrot, celery stalk, and peppermint leaves with 1 toothpick cardamom essential oil
• Sliced tomatoes and kiwi with 1 drop lime essential oil
• Sliced orange, sliced apple, and pomegranate seeds with 1 drop cinnamon Bark and Lemon essential oils
• Blackberries and mango with 1 drop lemon essential oil
• Sliced strawberry, lemon, and peppermint leaves with 1 drop peppermint essential oil
• Lemon, blueberry, and mango with 1 drop ginger essential oil
• Apple, lemon and pomegranate seeds with 1 drop cardamom essential oil
• Raspberries with 1 drop bergamot essential oil
• Sliced carrot, cucumber, tomato, and basil with 1 drop basil essential oil
• Sliced apples with 1 drop cinnamon bark essential oil

While there is still much more research to be done on the topic, with safe practice and knowledge, you can enjoy the health benefits of ingesting essential oils.

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*Any information provided on the Glasstic blog is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, nor replace current medical treatment or drugs prescribed by your healthcare professional. The statements made have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is your responsibility to educate yourself and address any health or medical needs you may have with your physician.