Sensitization - Percentages of Dilution

[Guest guest]

Hi Butch,

 

You sure know a lot about your subject, at least you appear to be the

resident expert. It all makes interesting reading. And I thank you

for the welcome.

 

Yes, I understand that sentitization/allergy can happen at any time

for a number of known and unknown reasons. I have a wheat

senitization for instance, that I can control somewhat by removing it

from my diet for a year or so and then I'm good for a few years.

 

Those of you interested in allergies/sensitization may want to check

out the book, The Food Allergy Cure (which is a bit of a misnomer as

it covers more than foods), by Ellen Cutler, MD. She teaches and

practices a treatment she calls BioSET (website www.bioset-

institute.com) which is used in traditional and non-tradional

medicine. My health care provider has been trained in this technique

and we've had great results treating my daughter's eczema. You can

also do the treatments yourself. More intersting reading on

alternative medicine.

 

Happy thanksgiving to our neighbours to the south.

 

Cheers!

Sherry (no initials)

Montreal

 

 

, Butch Owen <butchbsi@s...>

wrote:

> Hi Sherry,

>

> Welcome to the Oils & Herbs List. :-)

[Guest guest]

Hi Sherry,

 

Welcome to the Oils & Herbs List. :-)

 

> I have used this formulation for some time with fabulous results and

> no sensitivity reactions what so ever (and certainly never a burning

> feeling). I also love the smell of geranium essential oil (which is

> not the same geranium that we grow in our gardens and homes).

 

But .. remember that sensitization doesn't always occur .. and in some

cases it occurs days, weeks, months or years later. I used Just for Men

for ten or more years before I became sensitized to it.

 

> Obviously if you have extremely sensitive skin you would know better

> than anyone how much you can use, and you can of course, be allergic

> to anything, natural or not.

 

Synthetic is more likely to cause sensitization than is natural .. and

it would appear that my statement contradicts itself because I have said

we become sensitized to a single chemical component or a combination of

chemical components .. which might cause someone to suggest that it

makes no difference if its synthetic or natural as there are shared

chemicals in both.

 

And they would not be totally wrong to say that .. but they wouldn't be

totally right either because of something that I don't understand well

enough to explain here and hope nobody asks more about because I'm

already over my head by just mentioning it.. called entometers (sp?) and

the like which has something to do with man's evolutionary process along

with that of plant life .. and the natural synergies found in plants.

 

With synthetics we are almost always dealing with isolated or extracted

or synthesized or cloned chemical components .. where there is an

absence of that natural synergy .. which often balances itself .. like

the guys in the white hats hold back those in the black hats.

 

> I took the geranium recipe from Valerie Ann Worwoods Book " The

> Complete Guide to Essential Oils & Aromatherapy, whom I believe is a

> reputable source of information on using essential oils. Her " about

> the author " notes in the book list her as an aromatherapist with a

> clinic in Romford England, a reflexologist, a member of the London

> and counties society of Physiologist and as the Chairman of Research

> in the International Federation of Aromatherapists. She is also a

> consultant to several natural beauty and health clinics, etc. etc.

 

Like I write often .. there is no shortage of books with laundry lists

of blends that are dangerous .. and in many or most cases the writer of

the book hasn't even tried the blend .. they might have gotten it from

another book or just pulled it out of a place where the sun don't shine.

 

Like Ann mentioned .. that's an old book and much more is known now. As

for Valerie Ann Worwood being an expert on Essential Oils .. that would

depend on how one wishes to define " expert. "

 

As for her book being a " Complete Guide " to anything .. I've written

many times that I believe we should run from any book that claims to be

a complete guide to any subject .. unless its a real thin book on a

subject like, " How to Peel a Banana " , or " How to Start a Fire With Two

Pieces of Wood When One of The Pieces is a Match. " ;-)

 

As for being a member of this and that .. one would have to check out

those organizations to see what they REALLY are .. like folks claiming

to be professionals because they are members of the most unprofessional

AT organization around .. NAHA .. as some folks say .. HAHA .. National

Association of Holistic Aromatherapy. Some folks like to follow their

names with a laundry list of credentials and others believe if they join

any and all available organizations it too makes them appear to be more

professional. Folks can make their own decision as to whether or not

such things impress them.

 

I am not writing all the above to be condescending or smart alecky .. no

such intentions .. believe me. If it comes across that way it might be

cause you don't know me well. :-P I am writing it in hopes that some

of the new folks on the list will not be easily impressed by handles and

organizations one can become a member of by paying the dues, or by the

many, many, many folks who have written " novels " on Aromatherapy .. and

I'm not saying Worwood's book is a novel .. not saying its not either.

 

> Sherry

 

Most essential oils have been tested over long periods of time and safe

levels of dilution is known. The reference publication available that

presents the data on this testing .. " Plant Aromatics. " This is a

compilation of data researched over many years by Martin Watt, Cert.

Phyt. Medical Herbalist & Essential Oil Educator.

 

The primary source of the research was the R.I.F.M. (Research Institute

for Fragrance Materials) and their sister organization the I.F.R.A.

(International Fragrance Research Association).

 

These organizations collect safety data on essential oils in a number of

ways: they gather scientific information from dermatologists and others

and assess it, member companies report adverse reactions to materials to

them, and if necessary, they in turn circulate warning notices back out

to the other member companies.

 

Finally, they have commissioned significant research evaluations for

well over 40 years, and have published their findings on essential oil

safety in the journal - Food and Chemicals Toxicity.

 

So - we have a choice of disregarding safety, shooting in the dark and

keeping our fingers crossed .. or going to the library and researching

the back issues of Food and Chemicals Toxicity for the past 40 plus

years, or if we are short on time, acquiring this Safety Manual.

 

" Plant Aromatics " , New Edition 2001, includes (in one bound copy):

 

Skin Irritation

Sensitization

Photo sensitization

Oral & Dermal Toxicity

 

It goes into:

 

Reactions to Individual Chemicals

Testing for Adverse Effects

Skin Absorption

Oils Not Recommended

Absolute and Concrete Extracts

Maximum Levels of Oils in Perfumes/Cosmetics

Toxicity Levels

Referenced Adverse Effects on the Skin

And many more subjects

 

Why does one need this Safety Manual? I can think of three reasons.

 

1. Ethics and Personal Safety: Why should we use an EO in a dilution

that is larger than that which has been tested as being safe? We have

responsibility to ensure those who use our products - as well as our

selves, are not injured due to our not knowing the safe dilutions. Plus

it is a waste of money to use more than we need .. unless we listen to

the Young Living dudes. ;-)

 

2. Legal Liability: When we sell a product, we're considered as being

professionals .. like it or not, we then become liable for any harm we

might cause. Ignorance is no defense. Will use of this safety data get

us off the hook if we are hauled into court for a lawsuit? I don't know

but if we can quote scientific safety data I would think we would be in

a better position to show we took reasonable and prudent care to do the

right thing, and made informed decisions using available information.

Intent can mean much and a good defense can not hurt - methinks. Is it

enough to get us off the hook? Depends on too many variables.

 

3. Professional Development and Knowledge: " Plant Aromatics " is more

than rumor and is quotable as scientifically sound. The date/time/who

conducted the tests are referenced.

 

The old edition of Martin's " Plant Aromatics " was $75. I published his

new, revised edition and offer it for $44.90 .. it can now be seen and

ordered at URL http://www.av-at.com/plantaromaticsavnp.html The new,

revised edition came out in November 2001 and is already in the Fourth

Printing. I am exclusive dealer for North and South America.

 

Y'all keep smiling. Butch http://www.AV-AT.com

 

MA, BS, BA, USACGSC, DODCGSC, TGSWC, USAPC, USAFAS, VFW, AL, IPADI, DU,

CS, XHAHA, CLOGBB, CLOPWA, GOSCB, ABBPBC, WTWITOR, ABBPBC, LOCIWM, etc.