RE: [aromaexchange] Let's Talk about...Bergamot

November 15, 1999

Greetings,

I tend to work with essential oils from the spiritual and vibrational aspect

so here is my sharing on Bergamot. [isn't it nice to be diversified?]

Bergamot is associated with the elements of fire and air, the Sun and Jupiter

and the zodiac sign of Sagittarius. It is a softly radiant oil that helps

you to heal by opening your heart to joy when you may be experiencing grief

or sadness. Bergamot is soothing and uplifting and can help you sleep but in

the same sense it can be mentally stimulalting and refreshing to the spirit.

It is also a great oil to work with third chakra issues for it promotes

self-assurance and self-confidence by enhancing your sense of personal beauty

and individuality. Bergamot can help you to be clear about your objectives.

In Gratitude,

Bonnie

November 15, 1999

At 04:44 PM 11/15/99 +1100, you wrote:

> " Carolyn Shearer " <cshearer

>

>Susan,

>

>I am curios about your statement re never using bergamot in any dilution on

>the skin. I am aware of the oil's photosensitivity nature, but thought that

>if used with caution that this would be alright.

For starters, *your* version of " use with caution " and someone else's

version of caution may be very very different. Many people do not

understand the full brevity of what using essential oils can and can not do

(and the amount of harm that can be inflicted accidently). Even MOST

certificate courses / diploma courses, etc. in AT do not discuss all the

issues, safety precautions, and ... for that matter, teach information

based on the *essential oil* vs. the herb.

Of course *that* is an entirely *different subject so I'll stop rambling

there.

My son (3yo) has chronic

>(mild) eczema and I have made an ointment incorporating bergamot, lavender

>and geranium in very small (child safe) amounts. My reading, and experience

>with the ointment I make, is that bergamot is very effective with skin

>conditions.

Yep, LOTS and LOTS of AT books will tell you this is grand oil for skin

conditions. Unfortunately, when these authors wrote their books and/or

their courses (and copied from one another) very few (very) even " bothered "

to read the well over 300 published, scientifically documented studies

about the photoxicity of this oil. Nor did they consider that AT has grown

by leaps and bounds over the past few years and literally *millions* of

people would " trust " these authors every-other word.

Facts:

Over 300 published / researchable scientific studies ... evidence based.

(See " Plant Aromatics " " Effects on the Skin of Aromatic Extracts by

Martin Watt, Cert. Phyt. Medical Herbalist

" The I.F.R.A. (1992) advised that expressed Bergamot oil should not exceed

0.4% and that bergaptene should not exceed 75 p.p.m. in ANY products which

were for use on areas of skin exposed to sunlight. " (reference, see above)

There are so many studies, in fact, that a proper search in medline on the

Net will give you enough reading material for at least a few months!!! It

is EASY to search and bring this data up too. Too bad the many AT authors

didn't do some of this research before they wrote their courses and books.

Same goes for MANY essential oils... actually, and some of the problems

they can cause. sigh.

I'm sorry ... I just am so tired of " spreading the word " to frequently deaf

ears ... and feeling like when I say these things I'm being rotten or

nasty... but darn it, it is the truth!!!!

Since your husband is studying law, (albeit laws in the US and Oz may be a

*bit* different) ... if an organization such as the IFRA gives specific

guidelines to the food and fragrance industry (which is does and is

considered one of *the* " authoritative sources " ) .... then it stands to

reason that if you create a product for someone other than yourself, you

don't follow these authoratative guidelines and that person gets injured

.... no matter HOW MUCH CAUTION you have expressed or written to that person

(about going out into the sun, using such and such in proper dilution,

etc.) ... you will be held liable for the damage.

EVEN if this person was a real idiot and simply dumped bergamot oil over

his head and sat out in the sun (probably).

0.4% is a very small number. Do most of us understand this measurement

*and* do most of us have a means to measure this amount of " bergaptene " in

bergamot oil in any product we make in our homes? Does your course mention

anything about the IFRA OR about the *precise* dilution that this oil is

" approved " for? Can we insure that a product we make for anyone other than

ourself (we don't count here) .. will not contain more than 75 p.p.m.???

If so ... then can we further assure that those we make something for that

contains no more than 75 p.p.m. bergaptene will use it *dilligently

respectful* of our instructions? What if suddenly they " simply forget " ...

and then use it on their child ... or someone elses child???

FCF stands for furocoumarin free. furocoumarins (such as bergaptene and

others) are responsible for the photosensitizing/toxic effects of *pressed*

Bergamot.

Furocoumarins can cause *severe* blotching and burning of the skin. (we

are talking full blown blistering/oozing and lots of PAIN .... along with

*potential for PERMANENT pigmentary changes of the dermis (skin). ANyone

want to be responsible for big nasty permanent blotches on someones face

that they made a cream for to " heal their acne " ??? I sure as heck don't.

THere are MANY other oils that are MUCH safer and more effective!!!

I have never come across the " cfc free " variety you mention

>(what does cfc stand for?). Could you please expand on your reasons

>(research, sources etc.) for making this recommendation. I am very willing

>to learn more and am finding this list very informative.

>Thanks

>Carolyn

Now .. can you see why I would never make a statement to an AT list that it

is " ok " to use Bergamot cold pressed peel oil on the skin in any particular

dilution? There is more ... but my time is short.

DO know that Bergamot FCF (or begaptene free) aka " recitified " bergamot

*has* been proven to be " safe " for most people in usual AT dilutions for

massage (i.e. 2% for adults) ... but you'd better know the *source* /

supplier well to make sure you don't have the *regular " or as most

Aromatherapists might say ...

" the true " oil.

Other FCF's by the way are: Methoxypsoralens of various types

One other cautionary note .... CITRUS OILS IN GENERAL that are cold pressed

.... along with allll the coniferus oils such as pine, spruce, fir, etc. AGE

very quickly .... and become more and more irritating, sensitizing to skin.

NEVER use any of these oils on the skin once they are 6mos. - 1 year old

.... actually that is from time of distillation NOT the time you bought the

oil... UNLESS ... you KNOW that oil has been kept under refridgeration the

whole time WITH a " carpet " of inert gas such as nitrogen or a nitrogen mix

and/or no " head space " or air space in the container. Citrus and

confiferous oils deteriorate *chemically* .. but they may STILL SMELL

REALLY GREAT and may STILL have SOME therapeutic value.

Wish I had more time folks. Wish I could give out free courses everywhere

.... or heck, even a *paid* course to people everywhere. Unfortunately, I

have enough stuff to do in my own life/business/family, etc. I've still

got LOTS and LOTS of research to do before I'm ready to teach an extensive

course although I do teach simple basic ones (but not home study ones just

yet).

Here, I am merely covering a miniscule *basic* point.

I also need folks here to know that there is no way that anyone should rely

on my or the information I provide sometimes as the gospel truth. Further,

I am not some " monitor " to AT lists who can assume responsibility for

everything anyone everywhere on the lists say. I can not correct all the

wretched wrongs in AT via any list. ... so please, don't assume that if

I've not corrected something or at least " asked " or raised a concern over

something ... that I " agree with it " or that it is true. EEEEeep. see

that is another reason why I am not sure I belong here. Just typing this

up took over an hour and ... I gotta get to work. (I know I AM A TALKY

LITTLE BUGGER!!!!!) Sigh.

Wishes of Hope, Health, Joy and Healing,

Susan Renkel, RN / Changes Within

~ *^* ~ Exquisite Pure Essential oils, CO2's, & Blends ~ *^* ~

Wholesale or Retail. AT Starter Kits, Carrier Oils, Hard to Find Items.

Private Health Consults, Specializing in Chronic Pain Management.

~ *^* ~ ~ *^* ~ Freeburg, PA USA ~ *^* ~ ~ *^* ~

November 16, 1999

Dear Susan,

I personally am not sure that I've determined that you are a 'know it all' or

that that is how I interpret your sharing. I just get that you have studied in

a scientific way and that you lovingly share that in your own way. Maybe I've

missed something here, but I've never felt anything from your writings but a lot

of caring. So far in my life I've learned, and continue to learn, that peoples

intentions are more important than anything else. If your intentions are to

share your knowledge as information so that others can make choices, then that's

all anyone can expect. If your intention is to 'bad rap' (my 13 yr old niece is

teaching me language!) then I can see that there could be a problem in a public

forum such as this. Tracy tries her best to keep this an open, comfortable

place for sharing and so far that's all I keep seeing. Everyone's experience is

their own best teacher, and sometimes the teacher (experience) is easy and

sometimes not. Oh well.....

Blessings on you and yours in all ways,

Lynn

November 16, 1999

This should be entitled Bergamot OOps

and loops!

Just for the record: Bergamot *is* Citrus aurantium (at least it seems it

started out that way .... but over years and years, citrus growers

hybridized things (much like in the case of lavender ... remember the

Lavendula Angustafolia / Officinalis / Vera discussion?) .....

Bergamot is actually Citrus aurantium ssp. (meaning a subspecies) bergamia

and sometimes C. aurantium ssp. bergamia + something else. This stuff gets

*really confusing* for me !!!!~.

Great when I can " correct " mySELF .... I'm my biggest critic though.

Think most of us are ... or have potential to be.

:-)

Susan

Smile .... let um' think you're up to somethin'

November 17, 1999

Susan

Thank you very much for your reply it was very informative and thought

provoking. (NB I have put your entire message at the end of mine, I found it

too difficult and time consuming to split it up)

In regards to the legal situation of providing clients with blends

containing bergamot, I am not sure what the situation is here in Australia.

My husband seems to think that if cautions are put on the label then you

would not be liable. This is of course separate to any moral responsibility

you may feel.

I have only completed the first of the aromatherapy modules and the

information about bergamot you mentioned were not detailed there, however,

the next module is just on the chemistry of essential oils so it may come up

there - I am quite happy about the indepthness of the course so far.

You made the comment of bergamot dilution at .4%, is this after you have

added it with other ingredients? The ointment I make my son contains no more

than .1% bergamot of its total ingredients.

By the way, I personally feel that you have a very important place on this

list. Your comments are very informative and challenging, which I think is

very healthy. PLEASE DON'T PUT YOURSELF DOWN!

Regards

Carolyn Shearer

November 18, 1999

Hi Carolyn,

Right now I can only thank you for your comments (I am not putting myself

down, but I also just want to make it clear that when I DO challange

someones information or idea or whatever .... *that* is what I am

challanging, NOT the person). Nuff said on that I hope.

Further,

I said specifically: IFRA advised that expressed Bergamot oil should not

exceed 0.4% and that bergaptene should not exceed 75 parts per million in

any products which were for use on the areas of skin exposed to sunlight

(or tanning beds).

Please please note where this decimal point is placed.....

This does *not* equal out to be a simple 4% dilution. It is *much less*

than even a 1% dilution. It is 4/10th of a percent. So ... perhaps those

using bergamot pressed peel that is not FCF must have far better measuring

techniques, lab analysis of how much bergaptene is in every batch of

bergamot (and/or the products made with them) and better analysis

facilities than I do.

My question would be ... in light of everything else .... why oh why even

take the risk when more effective treatments are readily available ... and

they are *much* safer? Please. I'd honestly like to hear this... although

I admit I'm a bit of a safety freak. It is just that I see people everyday

.... doing some pretty rediculous and unsafe things out of stupidity, lack

of respect, blind trust (among a whole host of other " reasons " ). I also

see good people with good intentions being sued by them. I will beg to

differ then, I guess ... with your husband. Perhaps he might give a call

to an insurance company that works with manufacturer liability issues. I

am 99.9% sure that *those* folks will have a far different view than " if

warning is on the label " the person isn't liable.

I *know* that isn't so here in the US. Can't assume it is the same in Oz

though.

Any of you making homemade products .... I invite you to *try* and *get*

liability insurance for the products you manufacture. Please ... *do this!!!

Make the calls to insurance companies. Make SURE you get quotes by

explaining you specifically manufacture products for public use on skin.

Make sure you explain you want liability insurance in case you make a

product that someone reacts to (despite your big big warnings on labels,

literature and phone time you might have giving them safety instructions).

Get back to me when you have done this.

I will be most happy to find a reasonably priced liability insurance

company and know *countless* other folks looking for that same insurance.

November 19, 1999

Dear Susan

>I said specifically: IFRA advised that expressed Bergamot oil should not

>exceed 0.4% and that bergaptene should not exceed 75 parts per million in

>any products which were for use on the areas of skin exposed to sunlight

>(or tanning beds).

>Please please note where this decimal point is placed.....

>This does *not* equal out to be a simple 4% dilution. It is *much less*

>than even a 1% dilution. It is 4/10th of a percent. So ... perhaps those

>using bergamot pressed peel that is not FCF must have far better measuring

>techniques, lab analysis of how much bergaptene is in every batch of

>bergamot (and/or the products made with them) and better analysis

>facilities than I do.

The ointment I made was at a dilution of .1%, so with what you have said

here that dilution should be safe. If my maths are correct then this would

be 1/10th of a percent.

>I also see good people with good intentions being sued by them. I will beg

>to differ then, I guess ... with your husband. Perhaps he might give a

call

>to an insurance company that works with manufacturer liability issues. I

>am 99.9% sure that *those* folks will have a far different view than " if

>warning is on the label " the person isn't liable.

>I *know* that isn't so here in the US. Can't assume it is the same in Oz

>though.

I discussed this again with my husband and it would be interesting to follow

this up, however he is pretty sure that you would be very unlucky in

Australia to be sued, of course unless your client actually died or became

extremely sick. The person sueing would also have to prove a causative link,

and an acute temporary reaction probably wouldn't be enough (i.e. the person

my be allergic). He also commented that people probably wouldn't bother

because the costs involved of taking someone to court wouldn't be worth the

amount of money you would get - in fact it would probably cost more to sue

than the damages likely to be awarded. He also commented that the litigation

system here is vastly different to the US. People also don't seem to sue as

readily as they do in the US. However, this doesn't make litigation in these

types of circumstances impossible, just very unlikely - at the moment

anyway.

Most of the bottles of EO's (from Australian companies) that I have seen

have a cautionary note about applying them undiluted to the skin. And as far

as I am aware I haven't heard of any company being sued (I haven't

researched this so I could be wrong!)- so with a homemade product with a

small dilution of EO you would be even less likely to be sued.

>Any of you making homemade products .... I invite you to *try* and *get*

>liability insurance for the products you manufacture. Please ... *do

this!!! Make the calls to insurance companies. Make SURE you get quotes by

>explaining you specifically manufacture products for public use on skin.

>Make sure you explain you want liability insurance in case you make a

>product that someone reacts to (despite your big big warnings on labels,

>literature and phone time you might have giving them safety instructions).

Susan, I do take your point that having some liability insurance may be a

wise decision, especially in the US. I would be interested to hear from some

other Australian's about their views on the situation here.

Personally, my son got a very bad reaction to a homemade (not by me) bath

milk, which I later found out had synthetic fragrance oil in it, when I

thought it was lavender EO. At the time I thought about following this up

with the company who made the oil - I had got the bath milk as a xmas

pressie from my sister - but decided that it wasn't worth the effort - and

the advice I received from a local pharmacist also reflected that I wouldn't

get any where.

Regards

Carolyn

November 19, 1999

Dear Carolyn,

Hooray for Australia still having some sense!! No wonder I like it there!

Can't wait to get back! Thank you for joining our group. You and Susan offer

really great thoughts. And the international flavor is exciting because we get

to see so many different approaches to the same topics- healing and personal

choice.

Wishing you well in all ways

Lynn

" Carolyn Shearer " <cshearer