Essential Oils Are NOT Allergens ~ by Dr. David Stewart
Dr. Stewart's book entitled, "The Chemistry of Essential Oils Made Simple", he answers the question: "Are Essential Oil Allergens?" Consider the following facts:
2) Allergens are composed of large molecules. There are no large molecules in volatile or aromatic oils, otherwise they would be neither volatile or aromatic.
3) There has never been a documented instance of an anti-body response (i.e. sensitization) to an essential oil.
Essential oil antibodies have never been found or detected in anyone. Unless sensitization occurs and antibodies are produced and stored in the body, there can be no allergic reaction. Therefore, we can state unequivocally that essential oils are not and cannot be allergens. Sometimes people do have allergy-like reactions but these are no allergenic in nature. They are detox reactions.
While allergenic reactions from pure therapeutic grade essential oils never happen, this might not be true for perfume, massage, or food grade oils, depending on what synthetic substances and fatty oils are used to alter and dilute them. However, even in cases of reactions to non-therapeutic grade oils, reactions are not likely to be allergens.
To be an allergic reaction, there must be antibodies in the system of the person having the reaction. There must be a period of prior sensitization before an allergic reaction can occur. If a person has a reaction to an essential oil the first time they receive it, it cannot be an allergy, because there was no prior exposure whereby sensitization and development of antibodies could have taken place. Such a reaction is non-allergenic.
People can be allergic/sensitive to fatty oils. This is because fatty oils are not distilled. They are cold pressed from the fruit and seed and contain many molecules that would not survive distillation but do come through a pressing. Among these molecules are traces of proteins, amino acids, and polypeptides - all potential allergens.
For massage purposes, essential oils are often added to fatty oils. When this is done, the possibility of an allergic reaction exists. Fatty oils are implicated as potential allergens include walnut, almond, olive, peanut, safflower, and virtually any vegetable oil.
Allergic reactions are also possible to expressed oils (citrus) and aromatic oils obtained by solvents (such as jasmine, onycha, or neroli). These two types of oils are not true essential oils since they are not obtained by distillation. Distilled oils are never allergens. Absolutes, expressed oils, and fatty oils can be allergens, including carrier oils.
According to data reported in A Statistical Validation of the Raindrop Technique, the most frequently reported negative results of applying undiluted oils was a burning sensation on the skin, skin rashes, nausea, headaches, and tiredness (in that order).
Among the outcomes of thousands of Raindrops sessions included in the report, no negative experiences more severe than these were reported. Not one case of an allergic reaction was discovered by this study even though an honest effort was made to find and report such reactions if they existed. In all the reports of negative outcomes with undiluted oils in the study, experiences were temporary and interpreted as detox reactions, not allergies.
Given enough time, accompanied by a cleansing regimen, detox reactions to oils will cease and the oils that caused the reaction initially will no longer do so. This is an indication that the cleansing is complete and proof that the reactions was no allergy.
When a detox reaction happens, stop using the oils for awhile and reduce their quantity in order to slow down the release of toxins. Focus on cleansing procedures with lots of water, fiber, and fresh foods and, perhaps, some fasting, to flush out the toxins.
Gradually, use the oils again and eventually the toxins will be gone and you won't have unpleasant reactions to the oils any more. Many people have experienced this. Detox reactions may be unpleasant but they are temporary and beneficial. They are the beginning of healing in a body full of toxins that would have eventually resulted in a serious chronic disease.
Source: The Chemistry of Essential Oils Made Simple - God's Love Manifest in Molecules" by David Stewart, Ph.D, D.N.M.
Young Living sets the standard for pure oils.
Please Note: Some EOs contain compounds known to irritate the skin. In addition, essential oils can act as prehaptens and prohaptens—potent sensitizing substances that cause powerful contact allergies by common reactions, such as air oxidation (autoxidation), photoactivation, chemical bonding, or attachment to a carrier protein in the skin, which forms a complete antigen via enzyme catalysis (bioactivation)—sensitizing compounds or skin allergens. So EOs are not allergens themselves but can form allergens through reactions.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. David Stewart studied theology, philosophy, and English at Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri (1955-58) and studied chemistry, biology and social sciences at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg (1962-63). He also studied commercial photography at Los Angeles Trade Technical College (1959-60). He completed a BS degree in Mathematics and Physics at Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy in 1965 and was salutatorian of his graduating class. His MS and PhD degrees are in geophysics (theoretical seismology) and were earned from the University of Missouri at Rolla in 1969 and 1971 respectively. He spent a semester in medical school at the University of North Carolina (1973) and has been a Certified Childbirth Educator (CCE) with the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth (AAHCC) since 1975.
Dr. Stewart is also a Registered Aromatherapist (RA) with the nationally recognized Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC), which is endorsed by the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapists (NAHA), of which he is a member.
He has held positions as a hydraulic engineer and hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Southern California (1965-67). He was a professor on the faculty of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, (1971-1978) and also held a professorship at Southeast Missouri State University (1988-1993). He was also a part-time United Methodist Pastor (1993-94, 1997-99) in rural Missouri. He has been the Executive Director of the InterNational Association of Parents and Professionals for Safe Alternatives in Childbirth (NAPSAC International) since its founding in 1975.
For most of his professional career, Dr. Stewart has been self-employed as an author and lecturer, mainly in the area of alternative health care. He has also served on advisory committees to the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). He has testified as an expert on health matters before state legislative committees, U.S. congressional committees, medical licensing boards and courts of law throughout the U.S. as well as in Canada.
He has authored or coauthored over 200 published works including more than a dozen books (including Healing Oils of the Bible). Two of his books won the “Books of the Year” Award from the American Journal of Nursing. One of his flyers on breastfeeding (published by La Leche League International, LLLI) sold over two million copies in ten languages.
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