Busting Essential Oil Myths with Robert Tisserand

Robert Tisserand

If you have the good fortune to hear Robert Tisserand speak about essential oils, you won't leave disappointed. Robert Tisserand is one of the world’s leading experts in aromatherapy. He wrote the first comprehensive book on aromatherapy in English in 1977, and The Art of Aromatherapy is still published in 12 languages. In 1974 he established the first company in the UK to market aromatherapy products, promoting the now industry-leading Tisserand branded products. Robert was the publisher and editor of The International Journal of Aromatherapy, for 12 years and in the 1990s, he orchestrated three international AROMA conferences at British Universities. 

Last weeks HSMG Annual Conference was my second opportunity to hear Robert share his aromatherapy expertise.

Robert Tisserand speaks at HSMG Annual Conference

The following MYTHS were "busted" in Robert's lecture:

• Myth #1 Nothing is gained by using natural essential oils in soap
• Myth #2 Essential oils oxygenate tissues
• Myth #3 Tea tree oil makes little boys grow breasts
• Myth #4 Lavender oil is a uterine stimulant
• Myth #5 "Skin Deep" is a reliable information source

1. Nothing is gained by using natural essential oils in soap

Essential oils possess unique features such as the ability to penetrate bacterial membranes and enter the cell. Essential oils may gain access to bacteria more easily than antibiotics and can actually inhibit bacterial virulence making them more effective than commonly used synthetic antibacterials.

2. Essential oils oxygenate tissues

Essential oils only contain "bound" oxygen. Only "free" oxygen can oxygenate tissues, therefore essential oils cannot oxygenate tissues. Air is 20% "free" oxygen.

3. Tea tree oil makes little boys grown breasts

The major constituents of tea tree oil which have the ability to be absorbed are not estrogenic. The absorption rate for most skincare products is very low and retained in miniscule quantities.

4. Lavender oil is a uterine stimulant

Nicholas Culpeper, in 1652, wrote that "Lavender...provokes women's courses" (i.e. stimulates menstruation). He was referring to Spikenard. No other research shows any contraindications for Lavender use during pregnancy.

5. "Skin Deep" is a reliable information source

Inconsistencies abound in the "Skin Deep" database. Dermatologists have demonstrated that 1/3 of so-called allergens present such a low level of risk that the should not be considered allergens at all. EWG has a habit of ignoring inconvenient truths.

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com