Essential Oils: A Pharmaceutical's Perspective

I JUST found all my notes from the Young Living convention last August. I was so upset because I thought they were gone forever! One of my favorite classes was with Lindsey Elmore, a clinical pharmacist with Young Living. See, I was raised around medicine. Two of my grandfathers were doctors and my dad is a clinical pharmacist. So, I LOVE the medical side of essential oils. I can't wait to share all of the knowledge I learned while in this class. This will be in a series of posts because I took so many notes that I need to break it up! Lindsey answered the most frequently asked questions from essential oil users.  Let's get started!

When I use essential oils I get a rash. Should I quit?

One reason a rash can develop is due to phototoxicity. Phototoxicity happens when compounds react with photons in visible light. This is what increases the risk of a sunburn.

Why does this happen?

Cross-linking of DNA. This can occur when exposure of UV light can be exacerbated by some essential oil constituents. DNA ladders pull apart and connect to other ladders and get stuck. Your body reacts through inflammation. This usually takes 36-72 hours to develop. Why? Furanocoumarin molecules squeeze in between base pairs in DNA. This molecule are found in grapefruit and bergamot.

Who is at risk?

1. People with long exposure to UV rays.
2. People who use a high concentration of oil.

Here are a list of oils with phototoxicity.

A. Rutaceae
     1. Bergamot
     2. Orange
     3. Rue
     4. Lemon
     5. Lime

B. Apiaceae
    1. Cumin
    2. Angelica

Testimony time!
I'm a redhead. Bergamot is my favorite perfume oil. I have it on a roller ball and it's always in my purse. One day I rolled that Bergamot all over my heart. Why not, it makes me happy! Well, that day I wore a lower cut shirt that exposed some cleavage. The oil was all over my cleavage. By just walking around outside, during the summer, I got a nasty sunburn in between the girls! Bergamot is that sensitive to light! So please do not take phototoxicity lightly. Young Living oils are so potent and pure. Remember, one drop of our peppermint oil is equivalent to 26 CUPS of peppermint tea!

This is my sunburn from Bergamot! Be careful!