NONessential Oils

My post on essential oils is popular, probably more popular than any other topic I discuss. I also receive comments on it. Some try to bully me into using essential oils. Others are telling me they are being bullied into using essential oils. My question is WHY? Why would anyone want to stink to that extent? Why do people want to pay money to stink? Why are bullies so intent on sucking me and their friends into their addictions?

I recently ran into a friend at a local store. I know he is a fan of organic foods and based on our few discussions, he is a health aficionado. He keeps me posted on new places to get organic food and I like people who are health conscious. During this visit we jumped on the topic of essential oils. I can't remember how we got there but he said on occasion he uses essential oils. This is going to sound sexist, but why does a man want to stink like that? I asked him why and he shrugged, muttered, but didn't really give an answer. I came right out and told him essential oils were totally unnatural.

He began defending them like an addict, "Oh no, you can get the organic kind!"

I tried to explain my very bad reactions to essential oils, and he countered it with, "You must not be using the organic kind!"

I assured him I had and it doesn't matter. But more importantly, how does he know they are organic? Anyone can label anything organic as long as it has one ingredient that is organic. How does he know those organic herbs aren't mixed with additives, stabilizers or preservatives? Toulene is in every perfume. How does he know manufacturers don't slip in some Toulene to help liquefy the oils? Does he know how the essential oils are processed? If they are so natural, why do I react badly to them? I'M CHEMICALLY SENSITIVE! I'M A CANARY!  He didn't have any answers although he assures me he's read articles and the oils he uses are organic and healthy and natural. 

Of course, I countered that with my standard defense: essential oils are natural like plywood is natural. The analogy went right over his head.

"Oh, no, plywood isn't natural."

To which I replied, "Why not? It's wood!"

"No! There are fillers and glues and processing." Really. He still wasn't getting it. This is the mindset of an addict.

In the past I did a lot of reading and research on essential oils. I thought I'd give it another crack and see if I can find updated information. Here's some tidbits of information although nothing new:

There are many ways essential oils are processed. Distillation is currently the most trendy. There is also "solvent extraction" which is preferred for herbs and flowers that are less stable. Yes, CHEMICAL extraction. If that one doesn't tickle your fancy essential oils can be processed with "Florasols extraction". Florasols is another solvent originally developed as a replacement for Freon. So I'm wondering, can an essential oil manufacturer use organic plants but use chemical extraction for processing and still call the product organic? Hmmmm...

Flammability. Essential oils have a flash point temperature that causes them to combust. You'd think this would be around 100 degrees...200 degrees. Some spontaneously combust at 60 degrees. Why are they flammable?  Perfumes are flammable, too. The post office won't mail them for you because of this safety hazard. Hmmm...

If you are pregnant or nursing, don't use them. It could lead to abortion or premature births. Hmmm...

People with health problems such as asthma, epilepsy or hypertension shouldn't use them. Hmmm...

They are a danger to pets as their livers can't process them. Well, what about human livers? Granted we are bigger, but if a pet can't process them why is it assumed a human can? WHY would a human want to? Dogs are used for medical research because their physiology is so close to humans. So if essential oils are not safe for pets, why are the considered safe for humans? Hmmm...

Some essential oils are photo toxic creating photosensitivity which makes the wearer vulnerable to sunlight. Where have I heard that before? Oh, that's right! Pharmaceuticals are also photo toxic as well as chemical-laced lotions and beauty products. Why? Because they have chemicals in them. If you've read my posts on skin cancer, you know I believe chemicals cause cancer NOT sunshine. Hmmm...

Do not put essential oils in eyes, nose or ears as it could lead to chemical burns. Chemical burns? But I thought they were natural? Ingesting too much oil can burn one's stomach walls. This is anything but natural. It might have been natural as a sprig of lavender, but it's not natural as a bottle of poison. Hmmm...

Doesn't this sound like the warning label on any number of chemicals? So why do people think they are so natural and healthy? What is the point in using essential oils anyway? More importantly,
why do I react to essential oils as if I'm being poisoned if they are only natural plant materials, healthy and organic?

Today I ran into another acquaintance who I really like, who is always very elegant looking with beautiful hair and make up,  and who had a bout with skin cancer not too long ago. However, she doesn't wear perfume. She tells me it bothers her and wonders how people can wear so much of it so often. I introduced the idea of chemical addiction...perfumes and colognes are chemicals. She hadn't thought of that. At that point she discloses she rather enjoys a dab of essential oil now and then. After all, it's natural, isn't it? Again, I pull out my arsenal of defense: PLYWOOD. It's such a great comparison. She seems to get it, but she's not having it and decides rather than listen to the person who is chemically sensitive, who has bad reactions to chemicals, and who has bad reactions to essential oils (Logic 101), she decides she'll have to consult the grocery grunt who stocks shelves because of course that imbecile must know way more than someone who is actually chemically sensitive. I think the unenlightened will do anything to justify their bad habits and find anyone who would support them before actually questioning the facts. I think I'd be less insulted if she'd just come right out and say, "I don't give a shit what you say or how sick my stink makes you, I'll wear my stink. Fuck your health."

I usually do really like my unenlightened friends. I tolerate their bad habits. When they arrive at my house stinking of chemicals I keep my mouth shut and adjust my position upwind. However, this constant attempt at educating them is absolutely exhausting. They know me. They know I'm chemically sensitive. Yet they still use toxic laundry detergents, soaps, hair products, lotions, make ups, and...essential oils. They just don't get toxic products are toxic to everyone. Just because they don't react doesn't mean it's not affecting them. Or they just don't care.

From another blog post of mine:
Unfortunately the term "natural fragrance" or "essential oil" on an ingredient list doesn't necessarily mean it is safe. In a study analyzing 35 top selling products, green, natural and organic fragranced products emitted just as many hazardous chemicals as regular fragranced products. That's because most essential oils in consumer products are processed with a toxic solvent. In addition, essential oils containing terpenes such as pine and citrus oils react with ozone in surrounding air to create secondary pollutants such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, and ultrafine particles.

To all you out there who are so self-centered that you use essential oils (or any fragrance or scented product or chemical) and persist in poisoning innocent bystanders...STOP! Please STOP! It does not make you smell good! It makes you smell desperate for attention, lacking in self-esteem, and stupid. When your body overloads, you, too, will join the ranks of the chemically sensitive! Yes, I wish chemical sensitivity on EVERYONE. Then everyone would be forced to be fragrance-free.