> Natural plant products, including essential oils, are considered biodegradable and less hazardous than synthetic compounds. The increased use of essential oils worldwide has raised serious concerns with respect to their eventual adverse health and environmental effects, still waiting to be confirmed. 

> Yet one of the most attractive aspects of using essential oils and their constituents as crop protectors is their low mammalian toxicity. Many of the essential oils and their constituents are commonly used as culinary herbs and spices, and therefore, pesticide products containing some of these compounds are most probably exempt from toxicity [studies].

> Essential oils are generally known to be non-toxic for humans and other mammals, rapidly absorbed and metabolized in the liver and excreted by the kidneys if accepted mean daily oral doses are respected, i.e. 5.7 mg/kg body weight for adults. However, there is evidence showing that when essential oils are inappropriately used, they can give rise to adverse effects in humans, such as skin irritation, headache and nausea.

> Like other alternative products, essential oil-based pesticides will not be a panacea for crop protection, but there should be substantial increasing market niches, particularly where concerns of consumers for human health and the environment are present. Many of them have already been registered as food additives, so they can be much easily registered for postharvest use. 

> In general, a better understanding of the mode of action and detailed toxicological studies are needed to enhance the activity of essential oils and to establish their safety. 

Excerpts from:
Maria Dulce C. Antunes and Ana Margarida Cavaco. 2010. The use of essential oils for postharvest decay control. 
Flavour and Fragrance Journal.  Published online in Wiley InterScience 27 January 2010

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