Write a curiosity post they said. Respond with direct messages only. It’s all about relationships. That’s how you build a business online.
Okay, I agree with the relationship bit…but the rest? I would rather feed your curiosity with education than play a guess what she’s talking about vague-post game.
That’s why I’ve started a new blog series entitled Digging Deeper.
I’ve met all manner of people when it comes to essential oils. There are those that think these little bottles are nothing short of miraculous, and those that think they’re full of nothing but snake oil. There’s also a very large portion of the population that think they just smell pretty, like candle or perfume substitutions.
And you know what? They’re all a little bit right.
Essential Oils are little bit like cannabis. Demonized on one side, praised for curing the zombie apocalypse on the other. And quality ranges everywhere from filthy, back alley level to top notch, pharmaceutical grade. I’m going to focus on Young Living oils because, after extensive research, that is the brand I trust for my own family’s use. In fact, I’ve built a business and a brand of my own around them. Witchy Gypsy Oils.
This blog series is all about digging deeper into the claims and mystique around essential oils. Are they really just pretty perfumes in a bottle? Do they really contain miraculous, medical properties? Are they for external or internal use?
I’m going to answer a few questions here before we even get started with the individual oils.
Are all brands the same? I think you already know the answer to this one. Just like anything else (from t-shirts to cereal) there are differences between the quality of different brands. More expensive doesn’t necessarily equate better quality but I definitely wouldn’t trust the health and wellness of my family to the lowest bidder either. Sometimes there is truth to the phrase “You get what you pay for.” I think the most important aspect of the quality question comes from transparency. Young Living offers a Seed to Seal promise that the believe in down to the dirt. Seriously, the dirt the plants are grown in. And you can visit their farms if you want to see first hand how it all goes down.
Are essential oils for external or internal use? Check your labels! I can’t speak for all essential oil brands. What I do know is that labeling is regulated by the FDA and must clearly state the product’s intended use. If your product says for external use only, don’t ingest it! If it says for internal use, enjoy. Labels are tightly regulated by law and the process can be confusing. All new dietary ingredients must be shown to be safe. That is a definite. Their intended purpose and ingredients must be clearly stated. That too is a definite. But the other stuff is a little more different. Companies can and do make all kinds of claims. In particular, dietary essential oils and other supplements make functional claims. I’ll let the FDA explain what that means.
This statement or “disclaimer” is required by law (DSHEA) when a manufacturer makes a structure/function claim on a dietary supplement label. In general, these claims describe the role of a nutrient or dietary ingredient intended to affect the structure or function of the body. The manufacturer is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and truthfulness of these claims; they are not approved by FDA. For this reason, the law says that if a dietary supplement label includes such a claim, it must state in a “disclaimer” that FDA has not evaluated this claim. The disclaimer must also state that this product is not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease,” because only a drug can legally make such a claim.
https://www.fda.gov/food/information-consumers-using-dietary-supplements/questions-and-answers-dietary-supplements
But wait. It says, “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” Exactly. You will see this disclaimer on all of my Digging Deeper posts. Don’t assume that because a product claims to support or promote healthy body function that it prevents or reduces the risk of any disease. I’m not a doctor or a regulating agency. I’m never going to tell you that such and such will cure your diabetes. I may say that such and such has a history of affecting blood sugar levels, has a history of diabetic medical properties, or has been shown to have an effect on diabetes in recent studies. And then of course, I’ll show my source for such a claim. My go-to advice for everything is to educate yourself on possible benefits and side effects, take your research with you, and talk to your doctor. Your doctor is your friend.
Now, with all of that in mind, are you ready to Dig Deeper?
Digging Deeper Posts
- Digging Deeper: Valor
- Digging Deeper: Clarity
- Digging Deeper: JuvaFlex Vitality
- Digging Deeper: Thieves Oil
- Digging Deeper: Gentle Baby
Also, be on the look out for future posts in this Digging Deeper Series. You’ll be able to find new posts under the Digging Deeper tab on the blog menu. A great way to stay up to date is to hit the Follow button at the bottom of the page.
If you are not already a member of the Witchy Gypsy Oil Tribe, you can find out more information about the benefits and sign up by clicking HERE.
