Sensitization ** Are Natural Spices Sensitizing?? ** Part II

[Guest guest]

Hey y'all,

 

Didn't mean to leave you hanging cause I reckon the next question is

gonna be .. how do I know what is and what isn't a known sensitizer?

 

The answer is .. Martin Watt's " Plant Aromatics " safety manual .. at URL

http://www.av-at.com/plantaromaticsavnp.html the only source to obtain

this one-of-a-kind manual in North and South America is this URL.

 

MANY essential oils have been tested and a safe level of dilution is

known for them. The ONE reference publication available that presents

the data on this testing is " Plant Aromatics. " This is a compilation

of data researched over many years by Martin Watt, Cert. Phyt. Medical

Herbalist & Essential Oil Educator. The primary source of this

research was the R.I.F.M. (Research Institute for Fragrance Materials)

and their sister organisation the I.F.R.A. (International Fragrance

Research Association).

 

These organizations collect safety data on essential oils in a number of

ways: they gather scientific information and assess it, member companies

report adverse reactions to materials to them, and if necessary, they in

turn circulate warning notices to member companies.

 

Finally, they have commissioned significant research evaluations for

well over 30 years, and have published their findings on essential oil

safety in the journal- Food and Chemicals Toxicity.

 

So - you have a choice of going to the library and researching the back

issues of Food and Chemicals Toxicity for the past 30 plus years, or if

you are short on time, acquiring this safety manual. ;-p

 

The original publication sold for $75. " Plant Aromatics " , New Edition

2001, came out in November 2001 and is now in the Third Printing .. and

it sells for $43.90. It includes (in one bound copy):

 

Skin Irritation

Sensitization

Photosensitization

Oral & Dermal Toxicity

 

It goes into:

 

Reactions to Individual Chemicals

Testing for Adverse Effects

Skin Absorption

Oils Not Recommended

Absolute and Concrete Extracts

Maximum Levels of Oils in Perfumes/Cosmetics

Toxicity Levels

Referenced Adverse Effects on the Skin

And many more subjects

 

Why does one need this publication? I can think of three reasons.

 

1. Ethics and Personal Safety: Why should we use an EO in a dilution

that is larger than that which has been tested as being safe? We have

responsibility to ensure those who use our products - as well as our

selves, are not injured.

 

2. Legal Liability: When we sell a product, we are considered as being

professionals .. like it or not, we then become liable for any harm we

might cause. Ignorance is no excuse for amateurs, much less an excuse

for professionals. Will use of this safety data get you off the hook if

you are hauled into court for a lawsuit? I don't know - but if one can

quote solid safety data rather than standing there with their ignorance

hanging out I would think they would be in a better position to show

they took reasonable and prudent care to do the right thing, they made

informed decisions using solid information, and they were concerned

about ensuring no harm was done. Intent can mean much and a good

defense can not hurt - methinks.

 

3. Professional Development and Knowledge: This cottage-industry of AT

thrives on a good deal of rumor ... data contained in many of the novels

out and about are unreferenced tales passed from previously unreferenced

novels - " Plant Aromatics " is more than rumor and is quotable as being

scientifically sound. The date/time/who did the tests are referenced.

 

Ask anyone who has purchased " Plant Aromatics " and I GUARANTEE they'll

tell you it was a wise investment.

 

Y'all keep smiling, Butch http://www.AV-AT.com