Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Let's Talk Aromatherapy and Essential Oils

Back before essential oils were trendy, they did exist!  I realize, to many, this may news!  Essential oils have existed for ages, but before the big MLMs, primarily only those in alternative health care knew about them and used them.  Massage therapists added certain essential oils to their massage oil.  Reflexologists used them with their clients.  But that was back in the day, anything outside of mainstream medicine was considered "quackery."  I've been using Essential Oils since Aura Cassia was the main name known in EOs and the choices were slim.  The products were good, but few.  Even back in the 70s and 80s, there were more, but I remember specifically: lavender, lemon, peppermint, and patchouli.  Evening Primrose Oil was a specialty item . . .

I had already been practicing reflexology and iridology for many moons, when Young Living entered the picture in 1993.  Through my years of continuing education of alternative modalities in the 90s, I cannot think of a single company that recommended the ingestion of Essential Oils.  Everything I learned about Essential Oils and Aromatherapy taught they were for external application and not to be taken orally!

Now a "Johnny come lately" EO MLM is telling us Essential Oils are to be ingested . . . Not all of them, and not for children, but their company loyal "marketeers" believe they are covering themselves in regard to the FDA, when in actuality, this instruction to take EOs orally is what brings the FDA into the picture.  From a non MLM perspective, this company appears to be attempting to place all EOs under the regulation of the FDA.  That will certainly get rid of the old school, non MLM practitioners, and bring about two other changes.  First, the MLM which shall remain nameless, is vying for their place in mainstream medicine and appears to be willing to go head to head; or become a part of Big Pharma.  If I were a betting woman, my money would be on the latter . . . Second, the nameless MLM is one of only two that will be able to afford the testing for compliance with the FDA.  Alternative health care needs to remain outside of mainstream, both for choice and integrity!

I see a real problem coming from this company who recommends the ingestion of Essential Oils, as only "theirs" are pure enough and have an unmatched therapeutic standard.  Welcome to both the F and D of the FDA.  Call me a skeptic, but I just don't believe this is about covering themselves in the potential event of standardized testing.  This seems more of taking the initiative to open the door wide open to regulation, thus eliminating most of the competition!  One of the distributors for this company explained it to me in a very interesting way.  She likened her company to WalMart . . . and how there are still small time competitors.  First and foremost, I would also liken this nameless MLM to WalMart . . . but to add a little reminder here.  Most "mom and pop" stores did disappear with the building of the Supercenters.  Yet, I digress, back to the invitation to the FDA by the MLM.  FDA stands for Food and Drug Administration.  So, if a product is not recommended to be ingested, nor does it make any claims of treatment, the FDA is not involved!  Those of us who have been outside of mainstream for over a quarter of a century like it here and we are still sharing our information with anyone who is interested!  I've watched this "Johnny Come Lately" company long enough to have a great deal of skepticism about the integrity of its business protocol.

A direct quote from an internet search, which equates to "self-policing:"  Without an accepted standard for essential oil quality, "Unnamed MLM" created its own testing process, calling it CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade®. The CPTG process certifies that there are no added fillers, synthetic ingredients, or harmful contaminants in their essential oils that would reduce their efficacy.
Once a company has established its own testing process and standard, how does another company meet that registered trademark standard, as it is exclusively owned by the company that registered it? . . . Or does the competition establish a different standard?

When I read and hear of the recipes that include Essential Oil in a beverage, I'm reminded of the old adage:  "oil and water do not mix."  Essential Oil can't be "diluted" in water.  Essential oil, however; can rest on the water's surface, giving aroma as well as flavor if ingested.   Centuries ago, Scripture told us, oil was to be applied externally!

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of Y'hshuah:  James 5:14


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