General Questions:
Q: What do you have against essential oils?
A: Nothing! We use them, we love them, but generally speaking, we don't EAT them! If essential oil sales companies want to claim that it is perfectly safe to apply or ingest pure, undiluted essential oils without the risk of side effects, then we are here to claim that it is also OK if that makes you nervous and you don't want to do it. That is obviously the safer choice, and it is backed by no shortage of complete and credible research directly linked on this website for your own personal review - don't let a cleverly crafted sales pitch convince you otherwise! Q: If you don't eat essential oils, then what are you supposed to use them for?
A: Essential oils have a plethora of uses ranging from simply pleasant to aroma-therapeutic, sanitizing, and, yes, health-related benefits. Essential oils can be used to help promote health and well-being, and with the proper care, education, and respect, individuals can easily access and use them to blend their own homemade: - scented sprays
- sanitizers
- natural perfumes
- bug repellents
- bath soaks...
...and more!
Qualified professionals like clinically-trained aromatherapists also use products containing essential oils in proper dilution to serve a variety of needs.
For more information on finding essential oil recipes, how to find a licensed aromatherapist, and proper dilution ratios, visit "TheLibrary". About Ingestion:
Q: Since essential oils are all natural, aren't they completely safe to ingest with no risk of side effects?
A: No.The claim that essential oils can be ingested straight from the bottle without the risk of side effects is proven to be false, as documented by industry experts and credible safety organizations like OSHA and the American Association of Poison Control Centers. A bottle of pure essential oil contains the potent, concentrated extract of volatile oils from plants, which is packaged in a glass container due to its solvent nature. It often takes several POUNDS of lightweight plant material to produce even one OUNCE of essential oil! So while the oils themselves are all natural, the concentration and potency of the liquid found in a bottle of pure, undiluted essential oil is not a natural amount to consume. Further documentation on this can be found in some of the information on this page, linked for your personal review. Q: If essential oils aren't safe to ingest, then why do I see people say they are?
A: Ingesting EOs is recommended by a handful of companies that sell pure essential oils. The amount and frequency recommended almost assures you will use up your oils much faster than if you used them traditionally and safely. For a thorough look into the marketing practices of these types of businesses, read the article, "Why Are All the Articles that Suggest Ingesting Essential Oils is Safe Written by Young Living Sales Reps?"by Lee Tea. Q: But aren't essential oils used in products we consume, like candy, cookies, and mouthwash?
A: Sometimes, and only with some oils (like lemon, lavender, or peppermint). Essential oils have long been used as a flavoring agent in food. In fact, according the University of Minnesota, most of the research available on ingesting essential oils comes from studies conducted in regards to this use as a flavoring agent. It is in this way, in relation to the oils intended, traditional, and historical use, that some essential oils can be designated "Generally Regarded as Safe", or assigned to the FDA's "GRAS" list, meaning the substance does not require FDA review for itsuse as a flavoring agent.
However, it is unwise to equate the small amount used as a flavoring agent in an entire dinner dish, bottle of mouthwash, or candy recipe (often only 1-2 drops per recipe) with the safety of eating them straight from the bottle. For safety, proper dilution is necessary before using an essential oil in or on the body which may, say, dissolve a plastic container if left sitting in one in its pure form. As the FDA notes, just because a substance is approved as "GRAS" for one use (like 1-2 drops at a time in a recipe) does not necessarily approve it as "GRAS" for any and all uses (like to consume in its undiluted form). Essential oils are not binaca, candy, or superfoods. They are, as explicitly stated by the FDA, not dietary supplements. They are, at closest, an ingredient used in very small amounts sometimes found in these consumables - but should not be considered completely safe to consume on their own.
If you have ever tasted vanilla extract, consumed liquor, or eaten salt, you already know the importance of proper diffusion and dilution of concentrated substances in cooking for matters of taste, potency, and health. Q: My essential oil supplier told me other oils may not be safe for ingestion, but due to their higher standards for quality, their oils are. Is this right?
A: No. The information presented on this website applies to the safe use of ALL essential oils, and especially to the pure, undiluted, unadulterated, high quality oils offered by today's top essential oil sales companies. Q: My essential oils do not say "do not ingest" on their labels. Some even have a dietary supplement label. Can I assume they are safe to eat now?
A: No. Again, the information on this website applies to the safe use of ALL essential oils,all of them, regardless of company, supplier, purity, quality, manufacture, or "method" of instruction. While guidelines prompt reputable suppliers to include basic information like common name and Latin name on the label, a company who designs and prints their own labels can ultimately put whatever they want on it without incident, so long as it adheres to the FDA's FD&C Act, at least here in the United States.
Recently, the presentation of essential oils as dietary supplements was specifically addressed in warning letters issued by the FDA to some essential oil sales companies, found hereand here. The FDA states in both letters, "whether or not they are intended for ingestion, the above-mentioned [essential oil] products are... not dietary supplements...". Q: Is it safe to add essential oils to my water in order to drink them without the risk of side effects?
A: No. Remember elementary science? Oil and water don't mix! While adding one drop to a full glass of water might not be deadly, it does nothing to dilute or disperse the highly concentrated oil about to come into contact with the soft tissues of your digestive tract, including your mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach.
Don't forget - the health benefits you are trying to reap from ingesting essential oils are, if they mention the name of an ailment, illegal, unverified, and most likely not scientifically proven claims (see more under "About Regulation" on this FAQs page). Besides, industry experts have proclaimed the greatest benefits of essential oils can be found in its vapors, which you would completely bypass by ingesting the oil. And remember, holistic medicine utilizes a wide array of natural products, including fruits and vegetables, grains, vinegars, fatty oils like olive and coconut, decoctions, poultices, and infusions like herbal teas that can be both gentle and effective to use as part of a healthy lifestyle!
Want the health benefits of lemon in water? Drop a slice of lemon into a glass of water - still healthy, all-natural, and very refreshing. | Q: I'm wanting to try some essential oils. Never tried them before but I've heard great things about them. Can someone tell me what exactly you use them for? And how you use them?"
A:I'm really inclined to guide you towards using dried herbs first. You can make oil infusions from dried herbs that are safer, gentler, include beneficial constituents from the whole plant, and will teach you what the plant is used for andcapable of before ripping the scent oil out of it to use straight. Essential oils are a component of herbal medicine, an aromatic component that includes teas (infusions/decoctions) for internal use, poltices, salves and creams for skin, tinctures and extracts, incense even, etc. If you're a beginner in the world of natural medicinals and you want to learn the tools, you should start at the beginning and study the trade. If you're goal is improved well-being through home remedies, dried herbs, baking soda, vinegars, fatty oils, fruits and veggies, spices, water, etc are easily accessible, pretty safe, and a great way to start finding out what plants and natural products can do to help us humans live better everyday! That's really the best, most useful, and safest advice I can give. You'll learn where EOs fit into the world of natural medicine, and from there, which oils to use for what, and how. Tons of books on herbal medicine, natural medicine, herbal teas and preparations, and home remedies in your library. Usually easy reads, too, sometimes crafty types books with recipes you can try at home yourself. It's a journey - safe travels. About Injuries:
Q: Has anyone ever been injured by ingesting essential oils?
A: Yes, and the number of serious injuries reported to theAmerican Association of Poison Control Centersis growing every year. For documentation on side effects, injuries, and deathscaused by essential oil misuse, including ingestion, read the article,"Essential Oil Safety: Documented Side Effect, Injuries, and Deaths from Essential Oil Ingestion"by Lee Tea. Q: Why are essential oils not completely safe to ingest?
A: The chemical composition of essential oils often includes toxic constituents, even in the most popular oils. The toxic components vary from oil to oil, and as a result, so do the negative side effects one oil can produce over another. In addition to adverse reactions like allergies, and unwanted effects on nursing/pregnancy, young children and the elderly, some essential oils contain toxins that can cause seizures, respiratory failure, and kidney failure regardless of age or circ*mstance.
For example: - Chamomile Oil (Chamaemelum nobile or Arthemis nobilis) includes tiglic oil, which can cause gastrointestinal upset, allergic reactions, bronchospasm, and can stimulate the uterus.
- Cinnamon Oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) includes cinnamic aldehyde which can lead to hypersensitivity, dermatitis, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and oral lesions.
- Clove Oil (Syzygium aromaticum) includes THREE toxic components: eugenol, caryophillin, and vanillin. These can cause oral and skin irritation, allergic reactions, nausea, vomiting, respiratory symptoms, and notably, seizures.
- Eucalyptus Oil (Eucalyptus globulus) includes 1,8 cineole (eucalyptol) and hydrocyanic acid, responsible for vomiting, abdominal pain, respiratory depression, dizziness, headaches, ataxia, obtundation, coma, and again, seizures.
- Pennyroyal Oil (Mentha pulegium) contains pulegone, responsible for nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and even kidney failure.
- Peppermint Oil (Mentha species) includes menthol and menthone, reported by the University of Minnesota to cause breathing to stop in young children. These constituents can also lead to hypersensitivity, ataxia (a lack of voluntary muscle coordination), and myalgia (muscle pain).
- Pine Oil (Pinus species) is comprised of monoterpene, aromatic pine oil, and other hydrocarbons responsible for respiratory failure.
- Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) includes Terpinen-4-ol (as does Juniper Oil) which can cause ataxia, stupor, and sores.
This information was recorded in Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose, 4th ed. (2007) in "TABLE 101-1 -- Selected Essential Oils and Their Toxicities", which can be viewed in its entirety here:http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0693-4..50106-7&isbn=978-0-7216-0693-4&&from=content&uniqId=447852820-2. Specifically, this article examines the constituents of lemon essential oil and their individual properties to uncover potential side effects of its ingestion: http://leetea.hubpages.com/hub/Essential-Oil-Safety-Precautions-and-Warnings-for-Ingesting-Lemon-Essential-Oil Q: OK, but is there any real information documenting ACTUAL people who have been hurt by essential oil misuse and instruction?
A: Yes.Thankfully, this is not a new field of knowledge, and over 500 years of essential oil use as we now know it has provided a vast and rich pool from which to draw information regarding the use of essential oils and the results of this use. Actual scientific articles and journals documenting injuries and fatalities from essential oil use date back at least over the past 100 years. Some of these sources include: - Pilapil VR: Toxic manifestation of cinnamon oil ingestion in a child.Clin Pediatr (Phil)1989
- Webb NJ, Pitt WR: Eucalyptus oil poisoning in childhood: 41 cases in south-east Queensland.J Paediatr Child Health1993
- Jacobs MR, Hornfeldt CS: Melaleuca oil poisoning.J Toxicol Clin Toxicol1994
- Seawright A: Comment: tea tree oil poisoning.Med J Aust1993
and even this one from 1898: - Kimball HW: Poisoning by pennyroyal.Atlanta Med Weekly1898
Additionally, the American Association of Poison Control Centers specifically includes "essential oils" in its own category in their annual reports, which are available for public review and can be found online at http://www.aapcc.org/annual-reports/. (For your convenience: "essential oils" is classified as a non-pharmaceutical and can be found on page 211 of the 2012 annual report.)
Thousands of essential oil injuries are documented every year, and the number of serious injuries in recent years is on the rise.
Looking for something a little more recent? Here is the injury report released by the Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy from April 2014. The Institute continues to collect data on an ongoing basis to help promote the safe use of essential oils worldwide: https://static.squarespace.com/static/530513e0e4b0d9ec3c47969f/t/535d4bd8e4b06295cb12a4c7/1398623192340/Adverse_side_affectsApr27-2014-2.pdf
As you can see, there is no shortage of documented side effects and injuries resulting from the use and misuse of essential oils, so use them wisely. Q: I was told the burning sensation I get from applying straight essential oils to my skin means I'm "detoxing" - that the oil is pulling toxins from my body. Is that correct?
A: No. It means you are experiencing an adverse reaction possibly including chemical burn. If it is happening now, seek medical attention immediately.
Soap helps to break the surface tension of oil, allowing it to be rinsed away from the skin. So industry professionals have recommended washing the area immediately with soap and clean water.
Actual testimonial:"I was severely burned with an oil during a "treatment". I assumed it would be in a carrier. The uneducated response was that I was detoxing. That's not what it was!"
| About Regulation:
Q: If the information being spread is so dangerous, why isn't anyone stopping it?
A: They are, but their efforts are hushed and minimalized by those in violation. Companies distributing false and misleading information about the use of essential oils have been formally cited by the United States Food and Drug Administration as recently as September 2014. The citations were made regarding marketing claims that essential oils can treat or even cure a variety of ailments including Alzheimer's, cancer, and Ebola. While it's easy to get caught up in the hype of blaming "big pharma" for an FDA crackdown, the citations are a matter of marketing compliance, violating the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act which has been in place since 1938. Violating it is a simple matter of breaking a law that has been in place for over 70 years, creating legal attention on an industry that compliant and ethical members of the holistic healing community would rather not have:
http://leetea.hubpages.com/hub/Young-Living-and-doTerra-Essential-Oil-Companies-Cited-by-FDA-for-Non-Compliance-Sept-2014 Q: I experienced an adverse reaction to using essential oils in the past. Is there a place to report this?
A: Yes. Adverse effects do happen, and the more we know about them, the more we can help prevent them. The Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy continues to collect data on an ongoing basis to help promote the safe use of essential oils worldwide. Report your experience and anonymously contribute data for the safe promotion and use of essential oils worldwide at:
http://www.atlanticinstitute.com/injury-reporting/ Q: I keep seeing misleading information that essential oils can cure or treat specific diseases. Is there a place to report this?
A: Yes. You may report information and marketing material regarding unverified medical claims to the FDA for their review by using the form on the page linked here:http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ucm059315.htm Other Safety Concerns:
Q: Can essential oils interact with your current medication?
A: Yes. For example, essential oils can speed up or slow down the absorption rate of your current medication.
"An article published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics (Vol. 17, Issue 3, first published online 4 Feb 2003) explains how Peppermint leaf essential oil has been shown to slow intestinal transit, which may slow the absorption rate or increase the total absorption of coadministered drugs.
"In our study, pharmacodynamic proof that peppermint oil ... inhibit[s] gall-bladder contraction in humans was obtained for the first time." (pg. 449)
(Read more:
http://leetea.hubpages.com/hub/Why-Are-All-the-Articles-that-Suggest-Ingesting-Essential-Oils-is-Safe-Written-by-Young-Living-Sales-Reps Q: Is Raindrop Therapy (RDT) safe and effective?
A: No. The use of undiluted essential oils on the skin can cause both body and system reactions. In regards to effectiveness, "There is no published empirical substantiation to support its claims that RDT is a “tool for assisting the body in correcting defects in the curvature of the spine, such as scoliosis.” (Read more:
http://www.naturesgift.com/aromatherapy-information/essential-oil-safety/rdt/) |
