What is Evidence Based Essential Oil Therapy Today

I have listened to so many who are following the advice of someone
who took a 2 hr. $200, minimum 
course, but has now claim to be an Aromatherapist.  I've taken 13 course through several schools, and I still do not consider myself among the true experts in the field of Aromatherapy & Essential Oils.  My first Blog (Blog #50, linked below) Mentions the names of these world recognized, world renown experts.  I'll be quoting (with permission) from a book by Dr Scott Johnson, "Evidence-Based Essential Oil Theory.  (This book is available on Amazon.com) And some quotes from Dr Daniel Penoel MD, "Integrated Guide to Essential Oils and Aromatherapy".

Brief History of Aromatic Medicine and Essential Oils & Education Resources 

 So, what is the difference between Evidence-Based Essential Oil Therapy, or for that matter, between the quality of essential oils themselves?  We have companies claiming to be wild-grafted, companies claiming a seed to seal, companies claiming certified therapeutic.  What does all this mean?

I've watched video's of companies who distill in a 3rd world, where the location of their oils is being harvested, over an open fire, without control of pressure or temperature, in extremely unsanitary conditions, and yes, they are selling their essential oils.

I've attended a convention where the company on stage, admitted their oils are not all from their own farms, about 80% are from other sources, distilled by other sources.

I've learned of a certified therapeutic value that simply means a Trademark, absolutely no integrity or science supporting any claims.  Therapeutic value claimed by most essential oil companies today, is simply a marketing term, nothing more.  And there are groups funding 3rd party lab testing of various brands of essential oils, coming back as contaminated, or synthetic, adulterated, but not pure.

I've spoken with "certified aromatherapists" who took a "buy my certification" with a 2 hour $200 online course.  I've taken $2,000 6 part certification, that I found later to be greatly flawed in the information taught.  I've taken certification that cost far less, and was far more complete, as well as being Evidence Based, Research supported, information that covered everything from chemistry to carrier oils, FDA compliance to legal issues.  There are schools out there, started by true experts.  And schools started by self taught, self proclaimed, people "winging" it, although well known widely accepted by "consultants and distributors" of essential oil companies.  Schools mentioned in my first blog, by these world renown experts would be highly recommended.  Some costing far more than others.  All those mentioned in that first Blog on Education Resources, would be considered truly qualified Aromatherapists.  

Some companies have on their Scientific Advisory Board, or as the CEO or head of their company, are a Veterinarian, a Chiropractor, a Physiologist, Farmer, Ministers or people with no formal knowledge, but jumping on the band wagon of consumer interest in essential oils.  Companies that sold nutritional's and cleaners before, or make-up and personal care products before, now adding essential oils to get their piece of the income pie.  As mentioned in that first Blog about History and Education on EOs, are the credentials of people who bring true research and real science to the field.  Who have medical degree's and have worked decades with essential oils.  It's up to the consumer, who they will put their trusts in.

So, what is Evidence-Based Essential Oil Therapy?  Modern medicine emphasizes the treatment of symptoms rather than eradicating the root cause of disease, focuses too heavily on invasive treatments and often causes severe side effects.  Fails when it comes to preventive care, with most doctors lacking the knowledge or time to offer nutritional and lifestyle guidance that could significantly reduce the disease burden facing the world today.  Nutrition and lifestyle behaviors are the foundation of health and should be "Medical Doctor 101".  However, as mentioned in Blogs I've had before on Nutritional education, in medical school, Doctors are only given on average 1 HOUR of nutritional education in their 8 years of school.  No amount of drugs (or supplements or essential oils) can replace eating better or being physically active.  However, improper diet, poor eating habits, and many living an unhealthy lifestyle today, could still benefit from a high quality nutritional supplement.  Poor quality supplements will simply pass through you, flushing the vitamin and your money, is it worth that savings at the counter? (taking quotes by Dr Scott Johnson)

Alternative, Complimentary and Integrative Medicine

Complementary medicine relies on gifts provided by Mother Nature as remedies and employs these remedies to support the body's remarkable innate ability to heal.

The truth is there are tens of thousands of studies, supporting numerous natural remedies as valuable solutions for just as many health conditions. PubMed.com, the US National Library of Medicine's database, you can find about 24,000 studies on essential oils alone.

The best form of medicine is Integrative -- meaning it combines the best of Both modern (Western) and complementary medicine, safest, least invasive, and most effective remedy first.   The future of Natural Remedies, Medicine: 

• They work simultaneously on the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual levels of health.... mind, emotions, body, spirit
• A virtually indefinite shelf life for most oils, unopened and stored in a cool, dark place away from heat and sunlight.  Long term storage (more than 5 yrs) may result in loss of value, potency, and increases the risk of oxidation.  Citrus oils are more susceptible to degradation because of the high limonene content (very prone to oxidation) and shoul dbe discarded if they smell rancid or appear cloudy.  Copaiba, cedarwood, patchoiuli, myrrh, sandalwood and vetiver tend to get better with age.

• Once opened follow: Essential Oil Shelf Life

1. 1-Year, Citrus oils, lemon verbena, lemongrass, melaleuca (Tea Tree), melissa, neroli, pine, spruce oils.
2.  2-Years, virtually all other essential oils
3. 5-Years, Black pepper, cedarwood, copaiba, myrrh, patchouli, sandalwood, spikenard, vetiver.

• Unmatched versatility
• Potency
• Safety
• Easy to use 

Before there were 3 schools of thought or therapy regarding essential oils.  This is what Dr Daniel Penoel MD says about them. Dr Penoel described the differences between the 3 schools very humorously, when he said: "The German system of aromatherapy (smell) is comparable to platonic love. You cannot make babies with platonic love. The English system is like flirting. You still cannot make babies. The French system of aromatherapy is like "The Full Monty", and it will make babies!"
Following superstition or Science Based theories, becoming educated yourself to make informed choices and not blindly following a companies propaganda, or a misrepresentation of distorted facts some employ in scare tactics.  There is no governing body for essential oils.  But there are International Research standards that can be  met.   

Now we have a new school of theory, Evidence Based model, enriches them with scientific evidence.  Evidence-based essential oil therapy is a balanced approach to the therapeutic use of essential oils and suggests a range of dilution -- from neat to highly diluted -- for topical application.  Also supports oral administration, dosages based on body weight and age.  Generally, only extreme doses are problematic.  Internal ingestion of essential oils has been around for decades through food flavoring, and flavoring of drinks such as Coca Cola, mints and candies, gum, etc.  FDA regulates GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) for ingestion on some, not all, essential oils.

Science and natural remedies are not archenemies and can exist harmoniously with an open-minded practitioner.  Dr Penoel, MD has been a practicing physician in France for near 40 yrs, and combines the use of pharmaceutical medicine and natural aromatic medicine as needed to work harmoniously for the complete benefit of his patients health.

Whenever you're considering the use of essential oils in a clinical use, you should always seek physician (or other "Health-Care Practitioner) approval before using any of the recommended protocols.  I wouldn't accept a basic certified aromatherapists advice without knowing where they are basing their information, the resource they are following, and knowing myself, that it was from a reliable world accepted authority and not a self proclaimed source.  There are hundreds of books on essential oils and aromatherapy, majority are not written by people with extensive knowledge.

Clinical Quality Essential Oils VS Synthetic's 

Just as there are thousands of "aromatherapists" of varying degree's of integrity and knowledge. 

There is as well, a true difference in the purity and quality of essential oils.  

1. Essential oils have a longer, more complex and proven history  Synthetic substances have only 2 functions -- to block and to kill.  Essential oils help regenerate, balance, calm, bring energy, and many more functions too numerous to mention"  (Daniel Penoel, "Guide to Home Use of Essential Oils) 
2. Essential Oils will Not Encourage "Superbugs" Dr Penoel MD"In all my experience with bacteria and essential oils, I have never seen strains mutate and develop resistance.  There are no superbugs created by essential oils". 
3. Essential Oils will Not Produce Side Effects Pharmaceutical advertisements give a long list of side effects and drug reactions.  Drug recalls occur each year.  
4. Essential Oils Bring Vitality to Your Body Dr Penoel MD "My patients who complete the sometimes slower but more complete treatments through nature, do not end their treatment ready to return home and begin the slow recuperation back to health.  They are full of life.  They are energized.  Synthetic drugs lower your energy, while essential oils raise your energy. " Have you ever felt mentally and physically exhausted after taking a round of synthetic antibiotics or other drugs?  YOu won't feel that way after completing a protocol of essential oils.
5. Essential Oils Work in Many Ways All at Once The complex synergies of essential oils improve your mood, strengthen multiple symptoms of your body, and do not disrupt the delicate balance of your beneficial bacteria.  They can stop pain, reduce inflammation, stop muscle spasms, decongest, destroy microbes, and calm anxiety -- all at the same time.  They spread throughout the body bringing vitality and life.  Synthetics only block body functions and kill pathogens, leaving their toxic waste behind.  Synthetics are like a hammer hitting a single nail and often missing and hitting your thumb.  Essential oils are like engineers, constructing and restoring health and vitality.  
6. Essential Oils Can Enter the Body by Many Avenues.  This Natures medicine cabinet can be diffused (inhaled), added to your food or drink (ingested), added to bath water or applied in a massage (topical).  They work synergistically with each other multiplying their effectiveness.
7. Aromatic Plants Tell Us by Their  Aroma What They're Good for Synthetics are more often synthesized from fungus and disgusting smelling petrochemicals.  Essential oils have an alluring aroma created by nature in spices, mints, citrus and evergreen forests.  
8. The Pleasure of Essential Oils Makes Us Want to Use Them Continually Dr Penoel MD "My patients, once they have completed the therapies I recommend, are always eager to continue using the essential oils on a daily basis throughout their lives."
9. "Nature is Complex  So We Don't Have to Be" Dr Penoel MD.  "A drop oof prevention is worth a gallon of cure" or " a few drops a day keeps the doctor away".  "I can safely make you a promise that if you will use essential oils on a daily basis... you will have no need to return to the medicine cabinet remedies.  Your life will be simpler, and you will find greater sensory and emotional pleasure in staying healthy." 

I hope as you've read this Blog, you'll continue to follow future posts.  To learn the proper and safe use of essential oils.  The benefits and cautions of essential oils.  And the quality and purity difference between essential oils.   Again, I highly recommend the books mentioned in the first Blog (link at beginning of this blog).  If you're simply looking for recipes to make household cleaners, or perfume, most books of these on the market have reasonable recipes.  If you're looking to learn about essential oils from renown authors and competent resources, please look to the books in the first blog.  If you're looking to become educated more professionally in essential oils, I strongly recommend the schools listed in the first blog, and especially iEO certification school (most complete at a reasonable price).