Its time to bust some myths about essential oils.
These are oils derived from plants that have strong smells and are often marketed as having medical uses.
Should they really count as home remedies, though?
For example: That sharp, minty aroma we associate with peppermint?
Uncap a vial of peppermint essential oil, and youll get a big whiff of it.
Methionine is an essential amino acid because if we never eat any, well die.
So dont confuse the two.
You wont die if you fail to get enough lavender essential oil.
Even though essential oils use plants as ingredients, the essential oil itself is a manufactured product.
Our health does not depend on whether we have access to it.
(Many of the same receptors are involved in both.)
So, yes, plant oils have a history in pre-modern medicine.
Its important to remember that ancient peoples werent a source of infalliable wisdom.
(Aspirin is a chemical reformulation of the active ingredient in willow bark.)
But, you know, they also recommendedcrocodile dung in the vaginaas a method of contraception.
Lots of ancient medical treatments were ineffective or harmful.
And plenty of things in nature are harmful, as well.
But thats how essential oils are often described by the people who sell them.
But these oils have never been proven to be safe and effective when used as medication.
(Over-the-counter medications are not allowed for these conditions, either.)
But the evidence is underwhelming.
One thing we can say forsureis that essential oils have distinct smells.
Studiescollected by the National Cancer Instituteinclude several that show aromatherapy may be helpful for people undergoing cancer treatments.
But notice were not talking about essential oils helping with the actual cancer.
Studies on the effectiveness of essential oils on physiological medical conditions often find negative or inconclusive results.
Because of the strong scent, its hard to do trials that have a true control group.
It seems like maybe they just smell nice.
So why do essential oil aficionados often claim the oils have antibacterial, anti-cancer, or antifungal properties?
Because these things have been demonstrated in the lab, not in human bodies.
For example, some essential oils caninhibit the replication of HSV-1, a herpes virus, but so canbleach.
That doesnt mean you should use either one as a medicine.
But its worth discussing the downsides of some essential oils.
The Poison Control Center has apagewith warnings about some of the oils they commonly get calls about.
Among them:
Oil of wintergreen is harmful if swallowed.
(Its chemically similar to aspirin, and can be like overdosing on aspirin.)
Eucalyptus oil has caused seizures in children when swallowed.
Sage oil has also caused seizures in children when swallowed.
Keep essential oils out of reach of children.
This takes the form of a red, itchy rash.
