But It’s in the Bible and they are Natural!
©Maw-Maw Kelli, Herbalist
(Originally Written for Learning Tangent Homeschool Magazine April 2015 Issue)
Did you get invited to an essential oil party? Did they say, “it’s in the Bible,” or “it’s
all natural?” Or maybe they said, this brand is the only ‘Therapeutic Grade’ of essential oils that you should use? Ok, I love house parties
as much as the next person, but when your health is concerned, these are NOT
the place to go for scientific, safe, or accurate holistic health information
-did you hear me? Should I say it again? They will use emotionalism (and lots of it),
and may throw out some terms to make you think THEIR way (and they will
convince their way only) is solid science (most of it I have been witness to is NOT, not even close).
Were you told that essential oils are in the Bible and are all-natural? Maybe they used some fancy words like esters,
hydrocarbons or aldehydes, and they said that doctors in France use them like this or such and such method. You don’t
really know what some of those terms means but the person sounded like they did
so what’s the harm, right? Are you willing to bet your liver or your child’s
liver (or worse) on it?
But you say, oh wait I had chemistry class, so I know. Great
maybe you had chemistry then go check the facts!! But maybe you
didn’t or maybe it was years ago and you forgot some of it – It’s ok – I am
going to make this real simple for you (and for me too). Before you read any
further I want you to know I do NOT affiliate with any essential Oil company
nor do I get any kick back or benefits from anyone for writing this
article. This is simply about you and
your family’s safety. Nothing more!
I think we all know by now that the term natural is thrown
ubiquitously and really doesn’t mean crap!!! Tyson, need I say more? So here’s the skinny on essentials oils and
some of the safety protocols you may NOT hear promoted by these home parties, social
media, or in Internet memes. So let’s
get into it.
Would you sit down and drink gallons of concentration
peppermint tea at once? Of course not,
that’s a lot of peppermint, isn’t it? Essential
oils are CONCENTRATED distillation of a large amount of plant material (a lot of
plants have to go in for that tiny bottle you bought). What does that mean? Think moonshine! Hang on
you ain’t Appalachian? You don’t know moonshine? Well sugar, let me learn you;
a heated still is full of fermented ‘corn mash’ and as that heats up and then
cooled back down, what comes out is ‘White Lightening’ (thanks to George Jones for that) or a highly
concentrated version of the low amount alcohol ferment that you started with. So that gives you an idea of the concentration
of essential oils. So we need to think about them in this concentrated manner
and then we can better understand the safety protocols and why they are so
important.
So let’s talk a brief history. Oh come on you know you love
history, and we learn from it. So here’s a short introduction. Distillation was
invented (in the context we know now) around 1000 AD by a Persian Polymath named
Avicenna. That means that essential oils were NOT back in Biblical times. They did
use extracted oils, incense and other methods of aromatherapy, but not essential
Oils in the context that we know today. So if you heard the claim that essential oils were in the Bible that’s
not entirely accurate, and in fact extremely misleading.
SAFETY! (Hopefully that’s why you are reading). I do
wildlife rehabilitation and education programs, and like I say at programs ‘not
everything you see on TV or on social media is true.’ This is the same for essential
oil claims. People are trying to sell you something so the more YOU use, the
more money THEY make. Good marketing ploy isn’t it? But good marketing and good
herbalism are two entirely different things. So here are a few things that
should get you started. I will some reputable resources for you at this end of
this (just in case you don’t believe me, nor should you)!
DILUTE: that means dilute the oil. About 6 drops of essential
oil (again depends on which one this could be LESS) to about 1 ounce of carrier
oil would be appropriate for an adult in most cases (at least half the amount
of the essential oil dose for a younger kid and just avoid all together with
children under 2) NEVER ever use ANY oil NEAT –without dilution (no matter how
‘pure’ –which is another pseudoscience term they use) Its just not A. necessary
nor, B. safe.
INGESTING: Just Pass. Just go the opposite of what Nike
says. Just DON’T do it. I have the valid information to support this but is
long and terribly complicated so just pass. If you want lemon water, buy a damn
lemon. Are you willing to bet your liver, your child’s liver (or worse) on the
pseudo-scientific information they presented? You may be doing that. I once
witnessed a lady via a essential oil list on yahoo kill her dog because… “I
love my oils…” she said. That won’t
bring her dog back to life for not seeking appropriate vet care. “I love my
oils…” is emotionalism and it NOT a scientifically valid argument for ingesting
or force ingestion on anyone. Two of the
major company’s that promote this come from a marketing standpoint and not a
safety standpoint.
TOXICITY: Not all are safe for children, elderly, gestation,
lactation nor pet application, to name a few. Many are unsafe for babies, children
under 6, under 12, etc. In most cases they are extremely toxic to cats and
other small mammals. Sadly, sales people don’t always have the extensive amount
of training to communicate to you what oil is safe for what age (and at what
dilution rate). I recently saw a Meme for clove essential oil on baby’s gums. CLEARLY
a HIGHLY DANGEROUS suggested use since it is not approved for young children! (even
IF that particular oil was safe-and it wasn’t- the dilution rate was WAY off as
well, making it completely unsafe advice). I have a personal rule. If the
person cannot vocalize to you permission to receive the use of essential oils
application, you do not have permission to use them. It’s that simple.
None of these things I talked about are a complete list of
proper essential oil safety, and I can say I am not the most advanced aromatherapist in the world certainly. HOWEVER I have had extensive training as defined by the NAHA as professional member (and I have met those requirements). So if you are local and need an educated source, I am trained and reputable!!
One last thing...... There is
just way too much out there to write about. BUT my hope to you after reading
this, is that before you use anything you will go research it from a reputable
highly trained person, and that you will NOT blindly follow any salespeople. I
know for a fact that in a few years they probably won’t be selling it anymore
anyway, they will be on to the next big craze, which is Alkaline Water Machines…
Yes I went there, they are a scam too!
About me:
B.A. Liberal Arts (heavy science focus) and M.A.Ed. I am a
Community Herbalist/Educator, Certified Teacher, Naturalist, State and Federally Permitted Wildlife
Rehabber, Reiki Master and Teacher, and avid student of Mother Earth.
Reputable Texts and Websites For Reference and Learning (in
no particular order)
Websites:
NAHA: https://www.naha.org/
Mountain Rose Herbs: https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/essential-oils-warning
Ingesting oils: http://empoweredsustenance.com/ingesting-essential-oils/
Books and Authors I like:
Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs
The Aromatherapy Practitioner Reference Manual by Sylla
Sheppard-Hanger
The Chemistry of Essential Oils by David G Williams
I love any books by Shirley Price, Jeanne Rose, Mindy Green,
Robert Tisserand, or Colleen Dodt, Demetria Clark (to name a few folks). Sorry if I left anyone out.
