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Some people are not aware of the concerns associated with using certain essential oils in conjunction with being on anti-platelet medication. Before you jump down to the list, PLEASE read all of the information in these few paragraphs to be sure you understand the list.

This information is also useful to know before you have surgery, if you are prone to nose bleends, or if you have bleeding disorders that cause the blood to thin.

I spent some time compiling a list from the information in the book Essential Oil Safety. I flipped through every page and wrote down the names of all the essential oils noted as “may inhibit blood clotting.”

In most cases only the method of ingestion is not recommended, and topical use is considered safe. However even inhalation can cause the blood to thin, so caution is warranted.

Please note that this is not a full list. For a full list and more information consult Essential Oil Safety. You can preview the book on amazon here: Essential Oil Safety book on amazon.

Essential Oils Which “May Inhibit Blood Clotting”

In (parenthesis) is listed the prefix that often goes along with the common name. Some companies may list “Basil” without distinguishing which kind (Holy Basil, Madagascan Basil, etc.). Some may list “Cinnamon” without distinguishing “Cinnamon Leaf.”

Also in parenthesis are the chemotypes, indicated by “CT.” Please note that only the chemotypes here “may inhibit blood clotting.” Some essential oils have various chemotypes, and not all of them have the same safety precautions.

Take care to read the Latin names which distinguish the essential oil from other species. Some essential oils have more than one Latin name associated with them. Most companies provide this information right on the bottle, or on their website.

Anise (synonym Aniseed) Pimpinella anisum
Anise (Star) Illicium verum
Basil (estragole CT) Ocimum basilicum
Basil (Holy) Ocimum tenuiflorum synonym Ocimum sanctum
Basil (Madagascan) Ocimum gratissimum
Basil (Pungent) Ocimum gratissimum synonym Ocimum viride
Bay (West Indian) Pimenta racemosa synonym Pimenta acris
Cassia Cinnamomum cassia synonym Cinnamomum aromaticum
Cinnamon (Bark) Cinnamomum verum synonym Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Cinnamon (Leaf) Cinnamomum verum synonym Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Clove (Bud) Syzygium aromaticum synonym Eugenia caryophyllata and Eugenia aromatica
Clove (Leaf) Syzygium aromaticum synonym Eugenia caryophyllata and Eugenia aromatica
Clove (Stem) Syzygium aromaticum synonym Eugenia caryophyllata and Eugenia aromatica
Fennel (Bitter) Foeniculum vulgare subspecies Capillaceum
Fennel (Sweet) Foeniculum vulgare
Lavandin Lavandula x intermedia synonym Lavandula hybrida, synonym Lavandula hortensis
Marjoram (Wild, carvacrol CT) Origanum marjorana, synonyn Marjorana hortensis synonyn Origanum dubium
Myrtle (Aniseed) Backhousia anisata
Oregano (Mexican) Lippia graveolens synonym Lippia berlandieri synonym Lippia amentacea synonym Lippia tomentosa
Thyme (borneol CT) Thymus satureioides
Thyme (limonene CT) Thymus vulgaris synonym Thymus serphyllum
Thyme (thymol CT and carvacrol CT) Thymus vulgaris synonym Thymus serphyllum synonym Thymus zygis
Thyme (Spike) Thymbra spicata

Essential oils listed as “inhibits blood clotting”

These essential oils present the highest risk of thinning the blood:

Birch (Sweet) Betula lenta
Garlic Allium sativum
Oregano Origanum onites as well as the following synonyms Origanum smyrnaeum, Origanum vulgare, Origanum compactum, Origanum hurtum, Thymbra capitata, Thymus capitatus, Coridothymus capitatus, Satureja capitata
Tarragon Artemisia dracunculus
Wintergreen Gaultheria fragrantissima

Please leave a comment below if you have any questions, or feel free to post in the Using Essential Oils Safely group on facebook.