4 Misunderstood Essential Oils With Powerful Benefits

misunderstood essential oils

There are quite a few misunderstood essential oils that many aromatherapists shy away from. By some in the industry they are considered a big No No. We find this to very unfortunate as some of these oils have very powerful benefits. We always tell our students that there are oils that are equivalent in use and safety to vitamin C, and then there are those that are equivalent in use and safety to powerful prescription drugs (not in the addictive sense, but in powerfulness and safety risk).

Here are some misunderstood essential oils that we have used for years in our practice. In order to utilize these oils there must be a good understanding of the chemical families and the safety issues.

Misunderstood Essential Oil: Anise Star

Anise Star (Illicium verum)— promotes digestion, has an antispasmodic effect, is anti nausea and carminative, is great for spasmodic coughs, is an expectorant, removes mucus, and is helpful for rheumatism. It also stimulates menstrual flow and activity. The chemical component that this oils is high in is trans-anethole. This belongs to the ether family.  

Safety Concerns

Potentially carcinogenic based on estragole and safrole content, trans-anethole has a weak estrogen-like activity, contraindicated for pregnancy, breastfeeding, endometriosis, any estrogen-related cancers, and children under 5 years of age, oral doses are not recommended for people taking diabetes medication, diuretic medication, renal insufficiency, and edematous disorders. Also, may interfere with anticoagulant medications or bleeding disorders. When oxidized, it may be skin sensitizing. For topical applications, Tisserand suggests 2.4% dilution.

Anise Star Digestive Blend – 2% blend

1oz unscented lotion
3 drops Anise star (Illicium verum)
1 drop Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis / Chamaemelum nobile)
8 drops Red Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)

Misunderstood Essential Oils: Birch and Wintergreen

Birch (Betula lenta) and Wintergreen (Gaultheria fragmentissima wall) are approximately 99.5 percent Methyl Salicylate, like aspirin. Because of this, they are fantastic pain relievers. They are analgesic and anti–inflammatory antipyretic (fever reducing), anti-rheumatic, anti- arthritic, antiseptic and astringent, and depurative (purifying).

Methyl Salicylate belongs to the ester family.  Esters are generally very safe. Misunderstood essential oils Birch/Wintergreen are the exception.  

Safety Concerns

The essential oil of Sweet Birch (Betula lenta) and Wintergreen (Gaultheria fragmentissima wall) is made up almost exclusively of methyl salicylate, a precursor to common aspirin. Neither Birch nor Wintergreen should be used by people who are allergic to aspirin.

It is best avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding – all salicylates are teratogenic in sufficient amounts, including methyl salicylate and aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid).

Methyl salicylate must be absolutely avoided by anyone taking blood-thinning drugs, as it increases the action of the drug, and this causes blood to leak into tissues and internal bruising occurs. Birch should be used at a concentration of 5% or less – some say 2.5%. Best not used internally.

Muscular Pain Blend (3%)

2 ounces of unscented lotion
12 drops of Plai (Zingiber cassumunar)
10 drops of Lawang (Cinnamomum cullilawan) (this oil contains safrole which is another ether.)
7 drops of Birch (Betula lenta)
4 drops of Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Misunderstood Essential Oil: Mugwort

Mugwort (Artemesia herba alba) is both famous and infamous. It’s anti-anxiety and anti-stress, anti-spasmodic, anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic.

Mugwort is wonderful for moving any kind of stuck energy in the physical or in the energetic realm. Mugwort is known to be the gateway into the psyche and dreamtime.

We use mugwort quite often in our blends for our clients and students.  The chemical component in this oil you must be aware of is Thujone.  Thujone belongs to the chemical family ketone.  

Safety Concerns

Mugwort (Artemsia herba alba) is considered to be a neurotoxin if ingested. This is a very potent essential oil should not be ingested. Expected to be mildly neurotoxic, based on thujone content. Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The maximum dermal use level recommended is 2%.

Vivid Dream Oil – 2%

2 ounces jojoba (wax)
7 drops Mugwort (Artemesia herba alba)
7 drops Spanish Sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia)
7 drops Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens)

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