Guest guest Posted May 26, 2006 Report Share Posted May 26, 2006 Re Styrax and Dragons blood. I just wanted to republish an old email to Aromatherapy as I see these materials being promoted on this group. While benzoin and styrax are fine in diffusers, it is crazy to use them for skin applications-see below. In the case of Dragons blood resin, no small supplier has the first clue as to its exact botanical origin, and it is known that some varieties are skin sensitisers. Like benzoin it can heal but at the same time it can cause dreadful skin reactions that persist for years. Natural is NOT always safe. ---------- Benzoin my final reply I acknowledged in my article that there may be safe varieties of benzoin. Even RIFM acknowledge that (see below). However Tony you confirm my point about how the heck is an aromatherapist supposed to know what is in the bottle they buy. You know as well as I do the supply trade often do not have a clue on the exact botanical origin of most oils/resins. So unless someone takes the bull by the horns and markets a benzoin from verified botanical sources, or processed in such a way as to remove the allergens, and can prove it, and other oil suppliers don't then lie about what they are really selling(as they often do), then all we can do for safetys sake is say-OK we don't use the stuff. I have seen a reaction to benzoin on a lady in her mid 30s and on her chin. She used it because of what the aromatherapy books say and as a result may be sensitised for life. I truly hope not, but that is a dreadful thing for a supposed 'caring' profession to be responsible for. RIFM member guidelines are not always published but I have seen them and they say: " The I.F.R.A. recommends that styrax gums and resinoids should not be used as fragrance ingredients. Only preparations free of the sensitising allergens should be used. This is based on research indicating the potent sensitising potential of gums and resinoids of Asian and American styrax, but absence of sensitising reactions from samples obtained by refluxing with aqueous alkali, solvent extraction, washing the extracts to neutrality and removal of the solvent. Only extracts or distillates (resinoids, absolutes or oils), prepared from Liquidambar orientalis Mill., can be used and should not exceed a level of 0.6% in consumer products " . Tony said: >The " benzoin oils " on the market I have analysed have< >proven to be synthetic reconstruction's in a high boiling solvent.< Well what more can I say, I rest my case? Martin Watt http://www.aromamedical.com , " Ieneke van Houten " <ienvan wrote: > > Does anyone have a good way of > re-liquefying chunks of Drago? > > I get mine liquid, but towards the > end of the little one ounce squeeze > bottle there are often little chunks. > It is such a waste of precious stuff > to not use it, but I have no use for > it in chunk or powder form. > > Love the stuff! Incredible as first-aid, > on insect stings, as dental tonic. > What do the people on this list use > it for? > > Ien in the Kootenays > ************************** > Stop. Breathe. Smile! > ~Padma ( my TV yoga teacher) > http://freegreenliving.com > ************************** > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2006 Report Share Posted May 26, 2006 Thanks for the info Martin .. but I think you might have gotten us and the benzoin thread confused with the Natural Perfumery list who has been talking about benzoin .. we haven't (at least I don't think we have .. have we? *lol*) We've just got the Dragon's Blood thread going on here, which, as you pointed out, by common name could be one of a few things .. so it is ALWAYS important to have the botanical name available of anything one uses (I can never stress that enough). Off the top of my head black cumin and cat's claw are other good examples of that. I personally use Dragon's Blood for ink and incense, not skin applications .. *Smile* Chris (list mom) <http://www.alittleolfactory.com/> http://www.alittleolfactory.com aromamedical2003 Re Styrax and Dragons blood. I just wanted to republish an old email to Aromatherapy as I see these materials being promoted on this group. While benzoin and styrax are fine in diffusers, it is crazy to use them for skin applications-see below. In the case of Dragons blood resin, no small supplier has the first clue as to its exact botanical origin, and it is known that some varieties are skin sensitisers. Like benzoin it can heal but at the same time it can cause dreadful skin reactions that persist for years. Natural is NOT always safe. ---------- Benzoin my final reply I acknowledged in my article that there may be safe varieties of benzoin. Even RIFM acknowledge that (see below). However Tony you confirm my point about how the heck is an aromatherapist supposed to know what is in the bottle they buy. You know as well as I do the supply trade often do not have a clue on the exact botanical origin of most oils/resins. So unless someone takes the bull by the horns and markets a benzoin from verified botanical sources, or processed in such a way as to remove the allergens, and can prove it, and other oil suppliers don't then lie about what they are really selling(as they often do), then all we can do for safetys sake is say-OK we don't use the stuff. I have seen a reaction to benzoin on a lady in her mid 30s and on her chin. She used it because of what the aromatherapy books say and as a result may be sensitised for life. I truly hope not, but that is a dreadful thing for a supposed 'caring' profession to be responsible for. RIFM member guidelines are not always published but I have seen them and they say: " The I.F.R.A. recommends that styrax gums and resinoids should not be used as fragrance ingredients. Only preparations free of the sensitising allergens should be used. This is based on research indicating the potent sensitising potential of gums and resinoids of Asian and American styrax, but absence of sensitising reactions from samples obtained by refluxing with aqueous alkali, solvent extraction, washing the extracts to neutrality and removal of the solvent. Only extracts or distillates (resinoids, absolutes or oils), prepared from Liquidambar orientalis Mill., can be used and should not exceed a level of 0.6% in consumer products " . Tony said: >The " benzoin oils " on the market I have analysed have< >proven to be synthetic reconstruction's in a high boiling solvent.< Well what more can I say, I rest my case? Martin Watt http://www.aromamedical.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2006 Report Share Posted May 27, 2006 Christine Ziegler " <chrisziggy wrote: > Thanks for the info Martin .. but I think you might have gotten us and > the benzoin thread confused with the Natural Perfumery list who has > been talking about benzoin .. we haven't (at least I don't think we > have ..have we? *lol*) Yes, looks like you are right as I can't find that message now. I guess it was on ATFE as I don't use Natural Perfumery. It was a small supplier promoting the use of Styrax resin on the skin. No matter, as it's just a reminder for those who do not read the numerous previous messages on various groups over the dangers of benzoin resins. It never cease to amaze me that new suppliers still keep popping up who do not have the first clue about safety issues. It really is a major problem on these groups where businesses mislead people into thinking they are knowledgable, yet they promote hazardous materials. Even some that seem to be larger and more prestigious via slick web sites, promote known dangerous substances such as " Copal " and really only care about making money rather than aiding peoples health. Martin Watt http://www.aromamedical.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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