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October/ November
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Letter to the Editor:
I have read the series “How to be Your Own Herbal Expert” and found it well written and informative. I also read Lauren Hauser’s concern about the erroneous information in Article 6 about essential oils and your reply. While I understand Ms. Weed is a strong supporter of the Journal and has the right to express her “learned” opinion, she should try to ensure her opinion is supported by fact, and is not hurtful. Let’s look at her “facts”. Infused herbal oils use a small amount of plant material; essential oils require tons of plant material. The amount of plant material required for either an infused oil or an essential oil varies considerably depending on the plant in question; however it is true to say that in general if one were to make the same amount of end product more plant material is required to make the essential oil than the infused oil. However, when it comes to the amount of end product used, one only requires a few drops of essential oil to do the work of a whole lot more infused oil. One really can’t compare these two products, essential oils are far more concentrated products than infused oils so one will have an effective therapeutic dose with very little essential oil compared to a whole lot more infused oil. In fact many aromatherapists may even dilute their essential oils into an infused oil to create their end product. This really is not a case of one product versus the other.
Infused herbal oils are safe to use internally or externally; essential oils are poisonous internally and problematic externally. Again this is not a correct statement. Some infused oils need to be used cautiously both internally and externally. For instance Arnica (Arnica montana) has been reported to cause allergic contact dermatitis in humans. It is considered to be an irritant to mucous membranes and ingestion may cause burning pain in the stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, giddiness, intense muscular weakness, decrease or increase of the pulse rate, and collapse. One ounce of the tincture has been reported to produce serious but not fatal symptoms. (Reference Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics – Leung and Foster). Another example St. John’s Work (Hypericum perforatum) has been found to cause photosensitization and Leung and Foster caution that light skinned persons should be cautioned to avoid direct sunlight after ingestion.
One cannot compare ingestion of herbal infusions and essential oils as these are not equal products, essential oils are a much more concentrated product than the herbal infusion so obviously they need to be diluted in order to be used. It is also not true that essential oils are poisonous internally – however because of their complex chemical structure and highly concentrated form – internal use is not recommended unless one has been highly trained in this modality.
Another point to keep in mind is the fact that the active ingredient in the infused herbal oil is actually attributable to the essential oil contained in that plant it is just that in the infusion process only a small amount is released into the infused oil.
Infused herbal oils are good for the skin; essential oils can cause rashes, burns and other skin reactions. Again this statement is not accurate – not all infused herbal oils are good for the any skin and not all essential oils cause rashes, burns and other skin reactions. Everything depends on the individual plant involved.
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Infused oils are used full strength; essential oils are diluted before use. Obviously this is necessary as essential oils are highly concentrated substances. The active ingredient of the plant material has been extracted, while the infused oil contains very little active ingredient.
Infused herbal oils have subtle scents; essential oils have powerful scents. Again this is natural given the nature of the product; however essential oils are very rarely used neat so when they are diluted down their aromas become very appealing.
While inhaling essential oils does allow some of the chemical components to quickly enter the blood system, it is hard to understand how they could make the leap from the bloodstream to becoming a major disturber of intestinal health and contribute to poor immune functioning. In order for something to disrupt the functioning of the intestinal system one would have to introduce it into the intestinal system in sufficient quantities to cause such a disruption. I cannot find any research studies to support Paul Bergner’s supposition that inhaled essential oils reach the intestinal tract. Because essential oils are so concentrated any internal use would have to be in a diluted form. However there are a number of essential oils that have been used internally for a very long time albeit in very small doses. For instance peppermint essential oil is recognized as having GRAS status (182.10). It has been used in the pharmaceutical industry for many, many years for irritable bowel syndrome and digestive complaints. It has also been used extensively in the food industry as a flavouring agent – chewing gums, candies, chocolates, as well as alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, frozen dairy desserts, baked goods, gelatins and puddings, processed fruits and sweet sauces. The highest average maximum safe levels reported are 0.104% in candy. It has also been used extensively as a fragrance component in toothpastes, mouthwashes, gargles, soaps, detergents, creams, lotions and perfumes. Maximum use levels here are 0.4% - 0.8% in perfumes. (Reference Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics – Leung and Foster).
It is never a good idea to generalize and lump things into one little box. In fact, contrary to the statement that essential oils contribute to poor immune functioning, there are a number of essential oils that offer a great deal of support and stimulation to the immune system.
So why would someone in one modality feel the need to make harmful and hurtful comments about another modality? All it does is create divisions amongst therapists and reduce the inter-disciplinary exchange of ideas, support and clients.
I think it reflects the constant need; some in the integrated health community have, to build up their modality at the expense of others. Why? Obviously herbs in all their forms, including infused herbal oils are effective for their specific purposes and are more effective than other products for those purposes. Likewise essential oils have conditions they are better equipped to handle than herbs and infused herbal oils. It is not a matter of one over the other; it is a matter of when one is more appropriate. I have sent clients to an herbalist to get herbs to support the essential oils and I know herbalists who have sent clients to me for essential oils to support their herbal program. That is a better approach than one of making erroneous and hurtful comments. We all lose in an antagonistic atmosphere.
Please provide more articles on a whole manner of modalities and materials, but let’s see if the writers can do it in a manner which supports the growth of integrated holistic health and not at the expense of others.
Doug Thomson, RA, President of the BCAOA |
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