What significant safety consideration must be observed when handling the highly concentrated essential oil of thyme, distinguishing it from the dried herb or tea?
Answer
Undiluted essential oil can be toxic
A crucial distinction exists between the safe consumption of thyme as a dried herb or moderate tea (which is generally recognized as safe or GRAS) and the concentrated essential oil. The text explicitly warns that undiluted essential oil can pose a toxicity risk and must be handled with great care. Furthermore, topical application of the essential oil necessitates proper dilution with a carrier oil, such as coconut or olive oil, to mitigate potential skin irritation, demonstrating a significant difference in safe usage protocols compared to the herb itself.
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