EO information and disinformation and myths

June 25, 2006

>Allopathic medications work best when taken orally.

Did you say you were a PHD? Of what? If it is chemistry or pharmacy

I think you should be more cautious of statements like that. Ever

heard of skin patches for hormone treatment, nicotine addiction,etc.

>Our skin does absorb water.

Yes of course, but not enough to change blood chemistry to any

significant degree and that is what this issue is about. I think

this may have cropped up because of the silly argument over the

molecular size needed for skin penetration. That is frequently

promoted by aromatherapy teachers/authors who have never done a

chemistry course since school, and who have never studied the

subject. The argument that small molecules in essential oils can

pentrate the skin is stupid because all molecules in essential oils

are massive in size compared to water which is in theory just 3 atoms

big. Yet despite that tiny size of water very little makes it

through the skin barrier.

>I think that most things you put on your skin can be absorbed.

If you put anything on the skin for long enough something may get

through. That is how sensitization testing is done, i.e. the

substance is covered by a dressing to ensure some gets into the

suferficial layer of the skin. That is not the issue, the issue is

can enough get through via massage to have any effect on healing

ailments. Also, does the use of diluted essential oils in

aromatherapy massage stay on the skin long enough to achieve

penetration in clinical volumes. There is no evidence that they do

and plenty that they dont. You only need a little commonsense to

realise that essential oils are highly volatile and evaporate from

the skin into the air. That is how some gets into the body.

Incidentally, fixed oils are proven not to be absorbed into the

bloodstream. Application of Oil in Prevention of Fatty Acid

Deficiency in Pre-term Infants. Lee E. et al. Food & Chemical

Toxicology, Vol. 28, Jan 1985, pgs. 27-28, & Vol 6, 1990. This

experiment proved that topical application of safflower oil does not

decrease fatty acid deficiency. They found no evidence at all of

trans-dermal absorption into the bloodstream.

Martin Watt

, Wunder Budder

<wunderbudder wrote:

>

> >>because they can be irritants, photosensitizers, or sensitizers.

Three

> >>separate risks, and not all oils fit into any of the above

categories.

>

> Two separate issues. Yes, there are oils that are skin

sensitizers, but that is a separate issue from wether or not oils

enter the bloodstream when applied topically.

>

> >>if it is so easy for medications to enter the skin, why aren't

there

> >>patches for EVERY condition? Because it is very difficult

to 'force' a

> >>foreign substance into the skin deeply enough for it to have an

effect.

>

> Allopathic medications work best when taken orally. Again, two

separate issues................

>

June 25, 2006

At 10:06 AM 6/25/2006, you wrote:

> >>because they can be irritants, photosensitizers, or sensitizers. Three

> >>separate risks, and not all oils fit into any of the above categories.

>

> Two separate issues. Yes, there are oils that are skin sensitizers,

> but that is a separate issue from wether or not oils enter the

> bloodstream when applied topically.

but the question asked was why were there warnings against the topical use

of some oils, if they don't penetrate to the blood stream. that's what I

answered.

Seems to me you are taking replies out of context here.

but what do I know?

Allopathic medications work best when taken orally. Again, two separate

issues.

Some do. Others work best by injection, and, oddly enough, a very few by

Dermal Absorption.

>>Why don't you dissolve when you take a bath or shower from all that water

>>penetrating your skin, getting into the blood stream and all your organs

>>and making you melt, like a sugar cube?

>Huh? Where is the correlation between skin melting and oils

penetrating the skin?

I didn't mention 'skin melting'... I mentioned (in an obviously misguided

attempt at humor) the fact that water does not penetrate to the bloodstream

etc.

>>seems to me if outside liquids entered the skin easily, we would absorb

>>water far more readily than we do the essential oils or carrier oils.

>Our skin does absorb water.

to a very limited degree... and ONLY the surface levels of the skin. It

doesn't penetrate to the blood stream. Nor to the essential oils. the skin

isn't a single 'layer'...as has been described at great length here.

Seems to me that some folks here are reading what they want to read, not

the words actually typed onscreen.

But Uncle Butch already responded to all the out of context quotes much

more eloquently than I can.

Over 10 years online supplying Aromatherapy and Healthcare Professionals

Essential Oils, Hydrosols, Accessories, Hard to find Books and Videos

<http://www.naturesgift.com>

June 26, 2006

Hi All,

There have been many in vitro and in vivo studies regarding dermal

absorption, primarily addressing toxic pesticides and environmental/labor

issues. While most of these tests do not specifically address essential

oils, some of the chemical constituents tested are in fact the same, or

synthetic counterparts of those found in nature. The human skin is

primarily a barrier, but as you will see from studies below there is the

possibility of subcutaneous absorption into the venal system proven by

research that has totally eliminated the possibility of the inhalation

factor by various methods. Take time to review this information and you

will see that there are many factors involved and skin

permeability/impermeability is not quite as simple as we have previously

understood. Unfortunately, it is the recent and alarming occurrence of

exposure to synthetic chemicals and increasing quantities accumulating in

the environment that has prompted most new research, but it will also help

us better understand the question of absorption of some chemicals from

Nature upon direct skin contact. Some of the studies involve rats, pigs

(pigskin most closely resembling that of humans), but there are in vivo

studies with humans included, within ethical standards.

Here are recent studies and reports from the IPCS (International Programme

on Chemical Safety jointly undertaken by the World Health Organization,

International Labor Organization and United Nations Environmental Programme)

about dermal absorption and metabolism. This document has not been

formally published and we cannot quote or use information contained therein,

but it is available for all to examine. http://tinyurl.com/hf6qh

Here's another page from the Australian Government http://tinyurl.com/h9ttt

Here's the EU's Guidance Document on Dermal Absorption

http://tinyurl.com/epxkm

Any company serious about keeping up with dermal risks associated with

perfumes and cosmetic products would also be wise to purchase a copy of

Michael S. Roberts' Dermal Absorption and Toxicity Assessment (Drugs and

Pharmaceutical Sciences #91). It is currently out of print, but perhaps

used copies can be found. About $250, but worth it to the product

manufacturer.

Do a Google search on Dermal Absorption, Skin Permeability, etc. and you

will find information that may help us continue to build more complete

understanding about this topic.

Be Well,

Marcia Elston http://www.wingedseed.com

" Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot. " Hausa Saying from

Nigeria

June 26, 2006

Hello Martin,

With all respect, Martin, whom I admire greatly and who has done

considerable research, none of the papers cited on your website was

published after 1992. There is current research available that perhaps

leads to further discussion on this topic. I totally agree with you that

diluted essential oils are the only way to apply them to the skin and that

inhalation is a primary method to utilize essential oils in aromatherapy. I

believe, however, that there is more to peruse regarding dermal absorption

of essential oils, especially when in combination with phenols and/or

alcohols, such as would be in perfumes. Some of the studies I cited refer

to skin absorption by creating conditions of 'vaporization' resulting in

dermal absorption, as well. This is certainly new information that we

haven't talked about in online groups.

I don't mean to start a war with either you or Butch, and hopefully you will

agree that science evolves; all correct opinions are certainly subject to

adjustment with evolution of observable data.

Be Well,

Marcia Elston http://www.wingedseed.com

" Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot. " Hausa Saying from

Nigeria

________________________________

On Behalf Of aromamedical2003

Sunday, June 25, 2006 2:32 AM

Re: EO information and disinformation and

myths