By Jonathan Evans
Herbal Information Specialist, the Herbarium
I hope none of my readers are into this – but perhaps a younger family member or friend is – in which case I hope you pass on this information.
Vaping has become very popular for a variety of reasons, which I will not get into right now. But my concern in this column is the vaping of essential oils.
There is a company, which in my humble opinion is misleading people in the use of essential oils. Let me first say I have had a great deal of difficulty writing this column. I have contacted the company in question and spoke with several people, but none of my questions have been answered. Instead, I am fed the company sales line over and over. I have not been able to discover who formulates their products, nor what the founder’s essential oil experience, training or background might consist of.
Inhalers vs. vaping
Every experienced aromatherapist I have checked with – and all the research I have looked at and studies I have read – point to using essential oils in a personal inhaler, similar to a Vicks or Olbas inhaler.
Using an inhaler means taking the product in through the nose, not the mouth. Inhaling essential oils through the nose brings the molecules into contact with the olfactory bulb and directly affecting the limbic system. Drawing the vapor into the mouth and out through the nose misses the olfactory bulb. Drawing a vapor into the mouth also brings the oils into direct contact with the mucous membrane and can be irritating. An oil concentration of 20 percent is very high and can be very irritating. Accidental inhaling of the vapors into the lungs can also cause irritation. If the most effective and efficient way to inhale essential oils were through the nose, why would anyone use device that allows the oils to be inhaled through the mouth and possibly into the lungs?
A confusing message
This company’s essential oil vaping mechanism product looks and feels like an e-cigarette. What are you to conclude? Young people are not known to really pay attention to the details.
One of the reasons I am having a problem bringing this issue to the public’s attention is because the company’s website does tell people not to inhale, and avoid this if you have respiratory problems or an allergy to the oils. But the oil concentration is 20 percent and it is in a contraption that is designed to be inserted in the mouth. What is a person to conclude? Studies cited at the website talk about inhaling oils (i,e. through the nose, but this is not explained to the reader) so as to lend credence to the company’s product and safety.
As regular readers know, my wife Kathy is a certified clinical aromatherapist and Instructor. She has taught hundreds of doctors, nurses and other health professionals around the country in the proper use of essential oils in health settings and the V.A. hospitals. Other aromatherapists with many years experience in the industry have never encouraged the oral inhalation of oils, so I have to ask myself, “what is the purpose of this device? “ My last problem with this whole issue stems from the lack of independent information. I scrolled through quite a few pages of websites, but they all seemed to be associated with the company in some form, and the ones that that referred to inhaling oils were talking about inhaling through the nose, but again, unless you are familiar with aromatherapy, you could be easily mislead into thinking these studies were endorsements for the vaping of oils.
It seems to me this company is misapplying the research and misleading the public. Most legitimate aromatherapy products are created by people with years of training and experience who are proud to discuss their expertise. When such questions are dodged repeatedly, one wonders.
My advice: avoid directly inhaling essential oils through the mouth. It just ain’t a good idea.
Probiotics revisited
I need to touch on the importance of using a good probiotic. I know I have written about this numerous times, but I’m inundated with TV and radio commercials touting products that will shrink your belly, get rid of toxic sludge and relieve acid reflux. These products aren’t worth the effort to order. You won’t get a good probiotic or the right dosage. If they contain any digestive enzymes, they aren’t very strong, but brother, are they expensive.
Check out “Probiotics 101” on the Herbarium’s Facebook page. It’s third party independent information on what to look for in probiotics. If you don’t have Facebook access, send a self addressed stamped envelope to me at the shop and I will mail you a copy.
— Jonathan
Please send your questions on botanical remedies to Natures Rx: Jonathan Evans via email at herbarium258@gmail.com, or by regular mail to: The Herbarium, 264 Exchange St., Chicopee, Mass. 01013. If requesting additional information from Evans, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
