Frequently Asked Questions

The honest answer: it depends on the oil and the claim. Some essential oils have solid clinical research behind them — lavender for sleep and anxiety, tea tree for antimicrobial activity, peppermint for tension headaches. Others have weaker evidence or are supported primarily by anecdote. As a nurse, I only carry and recommend oils where the evidence is meaningful. I won't sell you something just because it smells good.

This is a safety-critical question and I'll give you a clinical answer: with very few exceptions, you should not ingest essential oils without direct guidance from a qualified healthcare provider. Essential oils are highly concentrated — a single drop of peppermint oil is equivalent to approximately 28 cups of peppermint tea. Ingestion can cause liver damage, mucous membrane burns, and drug interactions. I do not sell products intended for ingestion, and I caution strongly against the practice without medical supervision.

Yes — and this is exactly why having a nurse in your corner matters. Some essential oils interact with common medications through cytochrome P450 enzyme pathways (the same mechanism as many drug-drug interactions). Grapefruit-based citrus oils, for example, can affect the metabolism of certain heart medications and statins. Lavender and valerian-containing products can potentiate sedatives. Before starting any essential oil regimen, particularly if you take prescription medications, please consult me or your prescribing provider.

Some are, with care. Children and pets have different metabolic capacities than adults, and many essential oils that are safe for adults require significant dilution or avoidance altogether for little ones. Tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, and camphor are particularly problematic for children under 2 and cats. When in doubt, diffuse in a ventilated space for short periods, never apply undiluted to children's skin, and consult me before using oils around infants. I address this in detail during consultations.

Every oil in our collection has GC/MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) testing documentation. This is the clinical gold standard for verifying purity and identifying adulterants. I review this documentation personally before carrying any product. See our Quality Promise page for the full sourcing and testing process.

We meet via Zoom or phone for 60 minutes. Before your session, you'll complete a brief intake form covering your health history, current medications, and wellness goals. During the session, I ask questions, review your intake, identify any safety considerations specific to you, and we build your personalized protocol together. Within 24 hours of the session, you receive a written plan. See the full consulting page for details.

No — and I'll be direct about this. Wellness consultations at Mercy Wellness are complementary to your existing care, not a replacement for it. I am a registered nurse providing wellness guidance, not a licensed prescriber. I will never advise you to stop or adjust prescription medications. What I can do is help you integrate essential oils and natural wellness practices safely and intelligently alongside your current care.

I can address wellness goals associated with many common conditions — sleep disturbances, stress, fatigue, mild anxiety, immune support, and more. I will always review your health history and medications for safety. What I cannot do is provide medical diagnosis or treat disease. If your goals involve a specific medical diagnosis, I work in coordination with your healthcare team, not instead of it.

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Please reach out directly. I genuinely want to answer your questions — it's part of how I built this practice. Use the contact page or book a free 15-minute discovery call.