Essential Oils: A Hoax or Healing?

How essential are essential oils?

Image result for essential oils

If you have gone into any type of retailer in the pass couple of years, or perused social media, you have seen an influx of the trending essential oils.  They are stocked on shelves in groceries stores beside holistic shampoo, or in the candle aisle at your local Bed, Bath, and Beyond with a variety of diffusers.  It also has hit the masses as the go-to pyramid scheme for stay-at-home moms and health bloggers alike.  But these oils have been around for years, so why the sudden interest and hype around them you may ask?

Well, I started getting curious of these natural miracle workers when one of my close friends became a representative for one of the “all natural” high priced companies.  She swore up and down of the amazing healing properties of these vials, and how they were curing her of anything from a headache to a hang nail (okay, a little exaggeration here).  As an Occupational Therapy practitioner these oils are frequently used in therapy by my colleagues, so I began thinking, what have I been missing?  This is where my research began….

I am going to go through three general media sources that claim to have the know-all on the topic of essential oils.  For each video I will summarize their claims then follow up with what evidence based research actually says.

Media talks: The basics

Claims made in this video:
  • Information provided by Dr. Axe, a doctor of natural medicine and holistic healing, and Jordan Rubin whose professional qualifications are not specified.
  • Use essential oils as medicine NOT instead of medicine. (FACT)
  • Inhaling, consuming, and topically applying these oils can heal a number of ailments. (FALSE/MORE RESEARCH IS NEEDED)
  • Essential oils (vetiver, and cedar wood) used in ADHD/Autism treatment can counteract hyperactivity components. (FALSE/MORE RESEARCH IS NEEDED)

Media talks: How to guide

Claims made in this video:
  • Information provided by a self-proclaimed yoga enthusiast and representative of Miracle essential oil company.
  • Essential oils are derived from natural sources (plants, roots, flower) by extracting or distilling. (FACT)
  • Dilute a potent essential oil with a “carrier” oil such as coconut oil or avocado oil to apply topically. (FACT)

Media talks: Beginner do’s and don’ts

Claims made in this video:
  • Information provided by “The Essential Oil Gangsta”, a yoga teacher, artist, Mom, and wife.
  • To be FDA approved, only one drop in an essential oil bottle needs to be 100% that essential oil, and the remaining can be a carrier oil. (FALSE/MORE RESEARCH IS NEEDED)
  • When essential oils come in contact with plastic (by means of bottles or straws) they release “safe” estrogen into your body. (FALSE/MORE RESEARCH IS NEEDED)

What does the research say:

Professional Source 1-Oils in Treating ADHDImage result for adhd

Wells, D. (2018, June 13). How to treat ADHD with essential oils-10 ideas. Healthline media.  Reviewed on November 13, 2018 from https://www.healthline.com/health/essential-oils-for-adhd

  • Information written by Wells but medically reviewed by D. R. Wilson, PhD.
  • There is NOT enough research to claim that essential oils assist in counteracting ADHD symptoms.  But a number of personal claims will attest to their positive outcomes.
  • Sensitivity to oils may be heightened in children so extreme caution should be used.
Professional Source 2-Oils Effect on Cognitive Performance
Image result for adhd

Moss, M. & Oliver, L. (2012). Plasma 1, 8-cineole correlates with cognitive performance following exposure to rosemary essential oil aroma. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, 2(3), 103-113.

  • Written by a two doctors and university professors, and was published in a peer reviewed journal.
  • Found that inhaling a rosemary aroma improved cognitive tasks.  The higher amount of rosemary a subject was exposed to showed to improve their score and accuracy on the cognitive test even more.
  • However, the relationship between mood and the amount of rosemary was not as pronounced.
  • These results suggest that there is a neurochemical connection between the essential oil aroma and brain activity.
Professional Source 3- Oils effect on the fight or flight response

Image result for fight or flight

Haze, S., Sakai, K., & Gozu, Y. (2002).  Effects of fragrance inhalation on sympathetic activity in normal adults.  Japanese Journal of Pharmacology, 90, 247-253.

  • Information published in a peer reviewed journal, which means it was accepted by other professionals in the field as being relevant and accurate.
  • This looked at the connection between inhaling certain essential oils and their effect on the flight or fight response of the body.  The fight or flight response is a primal alertness mechanism that keeps our body’s safe from harm and increases adrenaline.
  • The results found that certain oils produced different results.  For example the pepper oil slightly increased adrenaline, but inhaling rose oil significantly decreased adrenaline (had a calming effect).
  • Inhaling oils did effect this primal response we have in our bodies, and can excite it or inhibit it with the right scents.

 Does this make “scents”?

Personally, I think there is something to be said for the number of personal claims being made on the benefits of essential oils.  There is very little research available that will indefinitely conclude whether or not there are positive benefits to using essential oils.  The little research that is available is pretty much split 50/50 on the matter.  However, I would prefer to try anything holistic before popping a pill so I will certainly be using these oils more.  But certainly talk to a healthcare professional before starting any new healthcare regimen.

References:

[Untitled image of ADHD sign]. Retrieved on November 13, 2018, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150417190003.htm

[Untitled image of brain]. Retrieved on November 13, 2018, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/5-things-parents-and-teachers-need-to-know-about-adhd-2017102712643

[Untitled image of caveman]. Retrieved on November 13, 2018, from https://fitnessfeedhq.com/does-stress-affect-weight-loss/fightorflight1-560×200/

[Untitled image of essential oil bottles]. Retrieved on November 13, 2018, from https://cleanmyspace.com/cleaning-with-essential-oils/