Top Ten Worst Injuries from Essential Oils of 2014—Part Two

Top Ten Worst Injuries from Essential Oils of 2014—Part Two


We are continuing to present our “Top 10 Worst Injuries from Essential Oils” from the 2014 injury reports. The list featured below contains the top five worst cases. This is Part Two of a two-part series.

Learn more and help spread information on safety and the costs of misuse.

Stop the unsafe use of essential oils! Save yourself, your friends and family, babies, and animals.

See Part 1 for cases 6-10.

Here are summaries with direct quotes from the testimonials we received (please excuse the grammar). Most, if not all, of these were due to bad advice and misinformation.

Top 10 Worst Injuries from Essential Oils (Part Two):

 

5. Oral use. Due to ingesting a “lot of” oils—multiple drops multiple times a day—of Lemon and Grapefruit in water, one person now has been diagnosed with stomach problems, chronic digestive upset, and is looking at possible gallbladder removal.

4. Diluted blend on baby’s feet slows breathing. “blends X & XX were used on separate occasions on my son at 13mo. The blend was very diluted (topical on his feet), he was 13mo, and I was informed it was ‘safe’. His throat started closing on him and his breathing slowed to a very dangerous level. After further research, I found out they both contained eucalyptus & Rosemary, both unsafe for kids under six. We had applied it & diffused it around him before his reaction, so it wasn’t his first exposure to it. Very scary holding your child while they are helpless.”

3. Undiluted topical and oral use causes rashes.  “It took months to accumulate in my system, but once the rashes started, I could no longer use any oils without the rash coming back. I was told by XX Reps that I was detoxing and that I should use more oils. I was told to try different oils for the rash. I was told to take sulfur. I was told that it’s impossible to be allergic to the oils. I was told that I must have a defective gene which is causing the rash.”

Please don’t buy this and other myths. The essential oil chemistry expert Dr. Robert Pappas previously addressed this, as well as other myths, on his Facebook page for Essential Oil University.

2. Vaginal yeast infection leads to permanent scarring. “Was advised by a consultant to soak a tampon in tea tree oil, insert it before bed, wear it overnight and by the morning my yeast infection would be cleared up. Before bed that evening I put 5 drops of Tea Tree Oil on the tip of a tampon (I was worried about soaking the tampon as she instructed & using too much), I inserted the tampon and soon noticed a warm sensation. I called the representative as she told me it was normal and how I knew it was working. I went to bed and woke up about 6-7 hours later feeling like napalm had been poured into my vagina. I could not remove the tampon myself the pain was so bad. A neighbor drove me to the nearest hospital; They removed the tampon immediately and treated me for chemical burns with a prescription of burn jelly to continue using for the next 10 days, and more antibiotics to prevent the burn from becoming infected. At the 30 days check the tissue had scabbed over & partially healed. The 60 day exam the scabs were all gone but he noted I may have scars remaining and at the 90 day exam he told me scarring was present and would likely not completely heal.

1. Undiluted blend to six-month-old’s chest resulted in two febrile seizures. “…Fever was only 99 and stopped breathing, foamed at the mouth; after 10 min violent seizing, turned purple and stopped breathing. Companies need to start warning about the seizure effects with wintergreen, eucalyptus, fennel, etc! My son doesn’t have epilepsy or any medical conditions. Once I removed his shirt and washed his skin at the hospital 45 min later he stopped seizing and returned to normal.”

We were downright shocked by some of these cases. They’re getting worse, and the saddest part is, they’re totally avoidable with proper aromatherapy education.


We have to stop this from happening. You can help.

 

Share essential oil safety information with your friends! You never know who has been fed incorrect or incomplete information. Please make sure that your essential oil education originates from a qualified aromatherapy professional. There are a lot of voices of reason in this situation. Make sure you’re listening to them!

Top 10 Worst Injuries from Essential Oils of 2014—Part One

Top 10 Worst Injuries from Essential Oils of 2014—Part One


This is Part One of a two-part series. Here are five examples with direct quotes (please excuse the grammar) from our 2014 Injury Report. These are short quotes from the report. This is not the report nor are these quotes our words. Most, if not all, of these cases are due to bad advice and misinformation. This is why we believe that education is the key to safety.

We love our essential oils and our fellow humans, so we want to help put an end to dangerous and unsafe practices. Most of these cases improved once those affected discontinued use of the oil(s).

Here is a list of the 10 Worst Adverse Effects we received in 2014. We’ve included a summary with direct quotes from the testimonials.

10. Undiluted oils applied to a small sore. “Blend/frankincense” was used and the next day, her skin turned red, bubbled up, and peeled. When she voiced her concerns, she was told it was “detox, that there’s no way to be allergic or have a bad reaction to the oil since they are natural.”

However, qualified aromatherapists know that the “detox” claim is not true. Dr. Robert Pappas talks about this myth here.

9. Undiluted oils on wrist. Someone used two drops of Clary Sage and Ylang Ylang on their wrists several times a day for about 10 days. Their wrists started itching, broke out in red blotches that turned into blisters, which spread to an area of approximately 3 cm x 4 cm. After a month with no oils and jojoba, it cleared up. “Lesson learned: Always dilute your oils and never use neat oil application to the skin.”

8. Undiluted oil on mouth sores. “Between 25-35 drops of essential oil on canker sores in mouth on tongue after being told it was safe. This resulted in a trip to ER because of racing heart, panicking, gagging, dry heaving, extremely hot, fever, dizzy and sick and high blood pressure … I thought I was going to die.” 

It is so heartbreaking to read these sometimes. That is why it is so important to spread this information so that we can hopefully prevent adverse reactions and don’t have any deaths due to misuse.

7. Undiluted long-term use leads to sensitization. One person had been using essential oils since 1997. By 2005, she started having small reactions. Finally, by 2014, this person found help in understanding sensitization and the safe use of essential oils. Unfortunately, because of the years of previous misuse, she can only use oils in low dilutions (if at all) and has turned to hydrosols & flower essences. “Now have A LOT of sensitivities and allergies to a wide range of fragrances and EOs.”

Though we can become sensitized to a single oil, we can also become sensitized to many single oils and blends because they share common chemical constituents. By overusing oils now, we deprive ourselves of being able to use them in the future. Remember the saying, “Less IS more.”

Read more about sensitization.

6. Undiluted EOs in ear. Someone’s ear canal was damaged when a Registered Nurse, who also owns a spa, dropped undiluted Thyme essential oil into it. “I was sick with an ear infection and she said “I’m going to put oil in your ear. I assumed it to be sweet oil like mom did . . . I was totally shocked that she would do this . . . I would have never used neat essential oil in my ear canal.”

Never drop essential oils into anyone’s ears and always confirm what “product” someone is using. Please remember that just because someone is a medical or spa professional, does not mean they are properly trained to use essential oils.

It is so sad to see stories like these. People are looking for alternative health care, possibly to save money or avoid surgery. Unfortunately they sometimes end up making things worse for themselves or their families, simply because they didn’t know better.

Knowledge is power. Never forget that it is in your hands. 

Read Part Two here.

The Truth Behind Aromatherapy Schools of Thought

The Truth Behind Aromatherapy Schools of Thought

Recently, the aromatherapy world has begun discussing the truth behind the so-called “French,” “German,” and “English” aromatherapy “schools,” as if they actually existed.

I am thrilled to see this topic come up because the idea of these “schools” has baffled me for some time now. I would definitely advise reading Gabriel Mojay’s open letter to me on this subject here. He says, “In a nutshell: the so-called ‘French’ and ‘British’ labels are being used to mislead and mystify.

In reality, depending on the need, there are only three methods of essential oils use: topical, oral, and inhalation (or external, internal, and environmental). Although, as Gabriel points out, the integrated therapeutic discipline of Aromatherapy should combine these methods. The different “schools” get the methods of aromatherapy correct, but that’s about the extent of their accuracy.

So where do these “schools” come from? To explain, I’ll need to dive back into the history of aromatherapy.

Around 1910, a Frenchman named R.M. Gattefossé burned his hands badly and contracted gas gangrene, which he successfully treated with Lavender essential oil. Afterwards, he coined the term “aromatherapy.” He was not the first researcher to write about this form of therapy, but he was the first to recognize the therapeutic use of essential oils as a discipline in itself (more on Gattefossé here).

Later, Dr. Jean Valnet coined the term “aromatic medicine.” He was also French (you can find his literature here and a brief biography here). Dr. Valnet has been made into the face of oral and undiluted use of essential oils. However, his research was much more widespread and focused on aromatherapy and essential oils as treatments for illnesses.

Nowadays, Gattefossé is hailed by many as the “father of aromatherapy.” He has been grouped together with Valnet, thus building the idea of a French “school” that supports widespread essential oil ingestion.

The French “school”

As medicinal aromatherapy took root, it began to engage pharmacists and physicians all over Europe; however, many were in France. In 1978, Dr. Paul Belaiche published a study on the clinical use of essential oils in the treatment of infectious and degenerative diseases (more information on Belaiche here). Jean-Claude Lapraz, Christian Duraffourd, and Dominique Baudoux have all contributed enormously to the understanding of the medical activity of essential oils as well.

In 1980, French chemist Henri Viaud published a study on the purity and quality criteria that essential oils have to meet in order to be suitable for medical purposes. Then, in the 1990s, Dr. Daniel Pénoël and Pierre Franchomme provided the medical aroma text of the decade. Today, we have the Endobiogeny sector with Doctors Lapraz and Duraffourd for that purpose (learn more about that here).

The contributions of these French and Belgian doctors and pharmacists have greatly added to the understanding of how to incorporate essential oils into medical treatments. This has become known as the “French method.”

The British “school”

Meanwhile, I’ve seen Marguerite Maury associated with the British School, though she was Austrian-born and studied in France. Maury did train beauty and massage therapists in London, but she also trained therapists all over Europe. She was Valnet’s student, too, though she had different goals for aromatherapy and a different perspective. She wasn’t aiming to medicate people in the way Valnet and his fellows were. However, her teachings were just as valid and are most often used in conjunction with other forms of aromatherapy. (See more on her here).

The separation of aromatherapy methods into “schools” really began in the early 2000s when one of Dr. Daniel Pénoël’s lectures included a joke that became truth.

Dr. Pénoël, whose speaking style is very charismatic and humorous, described the differences between the three schools in this way:

“The German system of aromatherapy (smell) is comparable to platonic love. You cannot make babies with platonic love. The English system is like flirting. You still cannot make babies. The French system of aromatherapy is like ‘The Full Monty,’ and it will make babies!”

So, although Dr. Pénoël’s statement had a joking quality to it, it was taken very much to heart.

In addition, Pénoël had previously lectured in California in 1989 and 1990, showing audiences his “living embalming” technique. He saturated an ill woman’s tissues with repeated undiluted applications every 30 minutes. We saw him drip large amounts of oils on her back and use a hair dryer to dry them on her skin. Many of my colleagues were witness to this. Not long after this event, Gary Young started spreading a similar method called Raindrop Therapy, which he supposedly learned from a Lakota medicine man named Grandfather Wallace Black Elk. Black Elk’s children and tribe have since denied Young’s claim, and you can read a direct letter on that subject here.

The Influence of Multi-Level Marketing Companies

After Pénoël spoke at the Young Living convention and had his book published by the company (Pénoël, D. & R. – Natural Home Health Care Using Essential Oils. Editions Osmobiose, La Drome, France 1998), Young Living began using the idea of different “schools” within their marketing campaign. It makes perfect sense from a business perspective; telling people to perform undiluted medical treatments like this and oral use, too, sells more oil than diluted topical or atmospheric use. This was the beginning of the “schools” myth. Meanwhile, these marketing campaigns purport that the French method is superior to other, non-medically focused forms of aromatherapy. 

And so began the use of undiluted oils on spines to correct scoliosis, along with daily oral use in capsules or water to treat many serious medical conditions. This is essentially the practice of medicinal aromatherapy by the masses, which I absolutely believe our beloved French aromatherapists never intended. Now all the other copycat companies repeat the same “joke,” making it appear real to newbies searching on the internet!

The German “school”

One aspect that especially confuses me is how Pénoël came up with the idea of the “German” school. Some sites say it’s because Germans find inhaling essential oils similar to walking in a forest with streams and brooks. But I think we all enjoy that, no? Why would this be relegated to a German school of thought?

It’s all very confusing and unclear, in my opinion. After all, at the Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy, I teach topical use, oral use, and inhalation, and I am not French, German, or British. I’m a USA born-and-bred southern gal! I’ve also benefited from training all over the world with French, German, British, Australian, and American aromatherapists, leaders, and experts.

The Truth Behind the Myth

Someone recently asked me which school I subscribe to, and my answer was this: None of them! I teach and use essential oils and other natural products internally, externally, and environmentally.

I will use essential oils and natural products internally if I’m ill, but not on a daily basis because there is no need and they contain no nutrients. When using oils topically, I dilute them because it’s safer, more economically effective, and it covers a wider area. I apply essential oils daily in creams and lotions, and I inhale them daily in my environment; I’ll also inhale them from a diffuser if I’m congested. Most importantly, I don’t subscribe to any one school, because I subscribe to all of the schools. All of the so-called schools, together, make up aromatherapy. No matter the particular method of aromatherapy, it’s important to be well-trained in the safe use of essential oils.

Mostly, I’m baffled by this school myth because it attempts to rewrite aromatherapy history in the United States—and I was there for much of that history, starting in the 1970s. I saw aromatherapy come to America via herbalists; we’ve had companies here since the ’70s. I’ve worked with scientists and industry leaders like Martin Watt (UK), Dr. Trevor Stokes (Australian), Robert Pappas (Greek/American), Tony Burfield (UK) and Michael Kirk-Smith (Ireland)—to name just a few. I was part of the Purdue Initiative that ultimately led to the formation of the ARC (Aromatherapy Registration Council) exam. See some stories from this time on my Vintage Aromatherapist Blog.

Recounting my experiences

For 40 years, I’ve actively been studying essential oils and essential oil safety. I’ve been involved in the industry since early 1980, long before the idea of these schools ever took root. I will not allow aromatherapy history in the USA to be rewritten. As long as I’m alive, I will recount my true experiences with it. 

So please trust me. You’re better off focusing on all aspects of aromatherapy and learning how to use each one safely and effectively. Don’t worry so much about the schools! And help stop this myth from taking over our history.

Learn more HERE.

Dedicated to those who tried to make the joke truth.

We can’t help but say the joke is on you.

The Benefits Of Essential Oils

The Benefits Of Essential Oils

Have you had a positive experience with aromatherapy? Share it with us!

Soon, we will be asking everyone to submit any positive experiences they’ve had with aromatherapy, along with any adverse reactions. We’re calling this the Positive Benefits Form, which will be added to our website shortly. We’re doing this to provide a more balanced perspective on the use of essential oils.

Recently, it was called to our attention that our attempt to provide education on the dangers of aromatherapy might be dissuading new aromatherapy users. That’s the last thing we want. We at the Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy are just passionate about encouraging safe essential oil use, especially with the meteoric rise in unsafe practices.

However, as an educational institute with nearly a century of combined experience in aromatherapy, we also love essential oils! We want you to love them and to experience their benefits in safe and healthy ways. We will continue to run our Injury Reports. By listing all of the wonderful success stories as well, we can find balance. Yin and Yang!

What’s your best aromatherapy or essential oil success story?

So, until we’ve added the Positive Benefits Form to our website, let’s list them in the comments section. What are some of your best stories?

One of the best thing I ever did with essential oils is use them during surgical treatment, when my doctors removed a breast cancer tumor and lymph gland tissue. I also used oils after surgery during six weeks of radiation treatments. According to my doctor, I had the best kind of cancer; it was enough to change my life but not enough to kill me. I used oils and natural products during my two surgeries and during radiation, when I was experiencing burning and irritation. Then I continued using them afterwards to counter the lingering mental effects! Read more about this experience here.

Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Sensitized

Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Sensitized

Remember that song by Waylon Jennings: “Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys. Don’t let ’em pick guitars or drive them old trucks. Let ’em be doctors and lawyers and such.”

Well, right now, the problem isn’t that your children will grow up to be cowboys. The real issue is that they’ll be doctors and lawyers with severe sensitization to essential oils. The doctors can treat others from the same generation, while the lawyers can start a class action lawsuit suing the sales reps and companies promoting dangerous use. Sounds scary, doesn’t it? And why haven’t you heard about this issue before? It is well documented in the industry that certain oils cannot be used on the skin without risk. Additionally, one can develop an allergy from the overuse of any essential oil. It is an allergic reaction created by overuse. See these references on sensitization here and here; see here for more safe use info, including an Injury Report.

Unfortunately, so many well-meaning moms go onto the Internet and find blogs that instruct them to apply all sorts of undiluted aromatic formulas to their kids. This can be for everything from the sniffles to ADD, ADHD, and more. The scary part is, these blog writers and groups often have no training or safety data information, yet they’re giving harmful advice about essential oils to anyone who reads their posts.

Do Your Research

I know now what drives moms to take advice on medicating their children without seeing if it’s safe. It is possible that they were looking for alternative ways to help children, and oils can help in some cases. But essential oils are potent. Just because they’re “pure and natural” doesn’t mean they can’t be harmful. It is dose-dependent, as the links above state. If you were to put undiluted essential oils on your children’s feet (like many mommy blogs instruct), besides lifelong sensitization, your children can develop an aversion to smells like Peppermint and Clove. One mom reported her child said, “No more feet, mommy!” This made her stop. Please listen, and stop hurting your own child on a sale rep’s advice. Before doing something recommended, ask is it safe, look at the sites above, or send me an email! Here is a condensed page for a quick reference on safety.

What will this do to the next generation? Besides hurting the children instead of helping them, this practice also strips aromatherapy of its healing properties. By repeatedly applying undiluted essential oils to your children, or allowing medical professionals like chiropractors to do so, will you create a generation of children who are overly sensitized to essential oils as gentle as Lavender? As an aromatherapy expert who has repeatedly seen the healing power of these oils, it’s tragic to me that so many will not be able to benefit from their effects.

Why is this happening?

So, where does the push to use undiluted oils for every type of ailment come from? You might be dismayed to know that it comes from essential oil companies who hope to sell their products by making every kind of claim possible. In reality, diluted oils are more efficacious and way more cost-effective, which is the point of using natural products. By saying the oils are “natural and pure” and can be used undiluted daily, these companies are selling tons of oils while actually increasing sensitization in their customers.

As someone who has put so much time and effort into practicing safe, healing aromatherapy, this makes me very sad.

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree?