Watt on trust, recommendations, con artists

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone:

posted this on my blog today (comments page, some added

recently

http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=30502094 & postID=116543485485485718

, but I thought it relevant to post it here. likes to err on

the side of caution, so he takes us to task for recommending

suppliers for several reasons. He's famous for his curmudgeonly

ways, and I see his points, and if we take them for being valid,

well, I still feel I have to live my life a little freer in the realm

of trust and past experience. Good stuff for some cautions, though,

and I recommend you take them to heart and make up your own minds.

---------------------------------------

The post that got me banned from a 'suppliers' group (now closed).

Some on this list may find the points helpful for general guidelines.

Sorry long.

---------------------------

I find it rather worrying that this group is being used to recommend

certain oil suppliers based on the " experience " of group members. The

reason for this is because with my long association with the

essential oil trade, I know that most people on these groups do not

really have a clue about quality. I have no problem with people

recommending companies that provide good service, but quality of oils

I have a big problem with.

For example using words such as " These are the best I have ever

experienced " mean absolutely nothing as far as quality or genuiness

of essential oils is concerned. As a rule of thumb the better an oil

smells, the more likely it is to have been touched up by fragrance

chemist. The facts are that the vast majority of aromatherapy traders

do not have the first clue about the quality of oils that they buy

via middlemen. Also don't be fooled by those who claim they get ALL

their oils direct from growers, that is hogwash. Others such as

www.eoils.com are selling oils from trees that are on the endangered

list, as well as selling dangerous oils such as calamus.

There are analysts turned suppliers, who knowingly sell adulterated

oils to aromatherapy outlets. There are others who claim to do

analysis but have had no training in the fragrance trades or

experience working for big oil distributors. Only a tiny number of

aromatherapy suppliers can afford to have their oils analysed by

experts. There are those who pay for the cheapest analysis, simply so

they can claim their oils are genuine - cheap analysis will not

detect good adulteration. In reality, this trade is awash with oils

that are not all they are claimed to be. If that matters depends of

course on what the end use is. For example, it would be unwise to use

a semi synthetic French 40/42 lavender oil on a mild burn, but a few

drops in the bath or in cosmetic products is fine.

" I trust my supplier " . That is the biggest load of nonsense I have

heard. There are only a tiny number of aromatherapy suppliers that I

would trust and those are on my web site. There are some who do their

utmost to only sell quality products, but there are a hundred fold

more who just do not care as long as the cash is flowing. The

internet is bursting with people selling oils who know nothing, but

their web sites are impressive. For example only last week I found

the below on an impressive looking web site, unfortunately I lost the URL.

---------------

Examples of a know nothing, or care not, supplier-see my asterisks:

About this oil: Cassia is also known as cassia bark or Chinese

cinnamon.....Cassia oil should not be used on the skin as it is a

dermal irritant, dermal sensitizer and is a mucus membrane irritant

and must be avoided in pregnancy. May also be used daily as a room

fragrance, **bath oil or personal perfume**. Cassia oil should not be

used in massage therapy.

Origin: China. Top Note. **Cold pressed.** 100% Pure!

---------------

Firstly, Cassia oil is steam distilled from the bark yet this author

claims cold pressed.

Secondly, Cassia oil is not permitted in cosmetic products because of

its high incidence of skin reactions. So to suggest it can be used

" daily " in a bath clearly indicates someone who knows nothing about

the safety of what they are selling. Yet, I came across this site

because someone was recommending them as having a good knowledge on oils!!!

So beware of believing a fraction of the hype on suppliers web sites.

Bear in mind there is no system in place for verifying the claims

made on internet sites. Anyone can say anything they like and will

usually get away with it.

Watt .

----

Watt

http://www.aromamedical.com

Anya McCoy

Anya's Garden of Natural Perfume http://anyasgarden.com

Artisan Natural Perfumers Guild http://artisannaturalperfumers.org

Natural Perfumers Community Group

/