Are Essential Oils a Scam? ~ A Skeptic Looks at Thieves® Oil
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Are essential oils a scam? Is Thieves Oil (or other oil blends like it) a scam?
I used to think so! I mean, these teeny tiny bottles of oil smelled nice, but they're supposed to really be good for you?
Well, here's what happened to me.
I'm a Skeptic
I'm not one to put my trust in things or people readily.
Really, I'm not. However, sometimes you have to rethink things.
With all that we've been through with autism, adrenal fatigue, heavy metals, and more, I've been in and out of doctor's offices, both mainstream and alternative.
Among other things, we've tried:
- chiropractic
- homeopathy
- kinesiology
- ionic foot bath (only once)
- acupressure
- tons of supplements (no–I haven't weighed them. But if I did I'm scared it would be close to a ton.)
- nutritional balancing (help based on hair mineral testing. This didn't really help us.)
Anyway, we've tried a lot on our road to healing. I've been really careful not to mortgage the farm (er–our house) while trying to heal my son's autism, but it's been tempting at times.
Looking back at that list of alternative medical practices, I guess it's pretty hard to think that I'm a skeptic, right?
But really I am.
We've tried a lot of things, but we really did put a lot of thought into all of these “healing options” prior to working with them, and most of them we aren't doing anymore.
Either they haven't worked, or we've found something that's worked better or cheaper.
Before finishing this post, please note that I am NO LONGER USING YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS.
I moved on for various reasons.
To find out what essential oils I'm using now, read this post, or skip ahead to the final post in the series here.
Are Essential Oils a Scam?
Well, the latest object of my skepticism is….you guessed it. Essential Oils.
I'd heard about essential oils a number of times over the years.
People would tell me how great essential oils were and I'd think, “Yeah, right. You're just trying to get me into another one of those network marketing things.”
And frankly, putting oil on your body and expecting it to do anything except smell good, well, basically loaded with “woo woo foo foo” to me.
Nonetheless, it seemed that over and over that someone would be telling me about essential oils. Especially the antibacterial blends often called “Thieves” or “Four Thieves” or something like that.
Those blends and the oils in them are supposed to be antiviral, antibacterial.
“Yeah, right. Sure,” this skeptic thought.
I Got Sick
Anyway, about 10 months ago, I got sick.
Really sick.
I had a bad something that I just couldn't shake. For a long time.
I had fluid in my ear and then my nose – and then both. Three weeks or more passed. I started asking friends for advice and feared that the dreaded antibiotic would be in my future. One natural-minded friend suggested I try one of these multi-level-marketing company anti-bacterial blends.
I am fine, of course, with taking antibiotics when needed, but I am concerned about antibiotic resistance.
According to the CDC, there is a lot of antibiotic resistance going on and it's best to use caution when taking antibiotics.
This is how our conversation went:
“I always use that when I feel something coming on. It's great!” she said.
“So, do you sell the oils?” I asked.
“No.”
OK then. Someone recommending it who wasn't selling it.
Now I was seriously curious and was wondering if maybe the essential oils weren't a scam?
So I went on a hunt to get some without spending the huge retail price for a bottle.
I got a small sample from a local woman, but it wasn't nearly enough to deal with my problem. So I called the original person who had told me about Young Living and she sent me a larger sample– enough to get me through a few days.
Three days after I started using the oil I was better.
Good stuff.
(Please note that I no longer recommend taking essential oils internally unless one is under the care of a physician or other medical professional or certified aromatherapist — someone who knows your condition and your overall health. Furthermore, taking oils internally can lead to damage of the mucous membranes, and essential oils must be emulsified before using with a water base.)
Since then, this oil blend, or similar blends from other companies have helped my family and others with various issues.
Fingernail Owie
I used to be really prone to these–getting an owie just after something jabbed me under my fingernail (for one of them about 5 years ago, I ended up needing antibiotics since it got really nasty). I hadn't gotten them for awhile, but I did get one again about 5 months ago.
Colloidal silver and peroxide wouldn't do anything, so I thought about the “Thieves oil-type” blend.
I stuck a little of the diluted oil on another clean fingernail, pushed it into the injured area – and a few days and several treatments later, the problem was gone.
Viral Mouth Sores
One night, while we were out, my son complained that his lip was sore. He said he'd gotten bumped. When we got home, however, there were 6-7 obvious sores, filled with pus (sorry to be so descriptive.)
After doing research on oils and sores, I ended up trying Thieves again, this time diluted with a carrier oil.
The next day, here is what his lip looked like and it was MUCH better than before. (I wish I'd thought to take a photo the first day. Sigh.)
There was no sign of the sores within 3 days.
Lumpy Blemishes
I used to have a rough time with blemishes in my 20s but hadn't really struggled with any skin issues but rosacea since then. Suddenly, this past month, I started getting some small breakouts. None of them really bothered me, however, until I got a large blemish next to my cheek.
I used the anti-bacterial blend diluted with a carrier oil and overnight the lump had shrunk noticeably. Within 3 days it was gone.
Another reader since shared that she's used one of these blends on some underarm lumps / sores and they've vanished.
Sinus Troubles
A local reader who is prone to sinus issues had a bad sinus problem again.
She ended up trying the Immune Strength blend from my favorite essential oils company, and all signs of the problem were gone overnight.
Persistent Illness
Another local reader's son had not been feeling well for several days that was had become worrisome. She'd gotten an Rx for an antibiotic but really didn't want to fill it (see my story about avoiding antibiotics). She ended up trying an anti-bacterial essential oils blend along with an herbal supplement and said that the next day her son woke up and he was his old self again.
The “Thieves Oil Story”
Thieves-type oils were apparently developed from historical information about four thieves in France who would rob victims of the Black Plague (get it–stealing things off of dead bodies. Ick.)
They'd protect themselves from the plague with a secret recipe of natural ingredients including cloves and rosemary. The thieves were captured and given a lighter sentence in exchange for their recipe. And it really works.
Now I don't know if this is a valid story at all, but it's interesting, and the essential oils involved have been shown to have many antibacterial and antiviral properties. There are many studies about these qualities including this one and this one.
Essential Oils can be a very valid part of your natural medicine cabinet. I'll fill you in on more in my next post on essential oils where I'll talk about Peppermint, Wintergreen and other oils and my experience with them.
And I really don't mean this to be a commercial. I am just so floored by my experience with them that I feel compelled to share (some things are just too good to keep to yourself!)
But Essential Oils are Expensive….
Do you feel this way? I did.
So – how do essential oils fit into a “financially concerned” household?
You can buy these blends pre-blended for convenience from the essential oils company that I recommend. You can go here to see how I ended up choosing this company. It's a series, so you can read what you like – some of the comments got pretty dicey though.
And when someone gets sick, we don't go through a whole bottle. It's a whole lot cheaper than the gas (whoa – $4 per gallon?!) and copay and maybe an antibiotic on top of it. And we all know there is more than up-front finances involved with antibiotics and other meds, right?
Additionally, you can make your own anti-bacterial essential oils blend and save a bunch of money that way.
Again, please note that I am no longer using Young Living Oils.
You can read more starting with this post, or skip ahead to the final post here.
Interested in learning more about using essential oils for healthy living? This book is a GREAT resource:
Free Essential Oils Report and VIP Newsletter Access
Also, if you go and grab my Free Report on 10 Things to Know About Essential Oils Before You Buy, you will not only get more myth-busting essential oils information, but you'll get access to my VIP newsletter as well–complete with updates, great healthy living offers, of course new posts on essential oils, and more.
Please share your thoughts on and questions about essential oils.
Do you or did you think essential oils are a scam?
This post is for entertainment purposes only and is not to be used as medical advice as I am not a physician, nor do I pretend to be one. Please consult with your physician prior to using any kind of natural remedy or supplement. Thank you.
Just another blogger making money from advertisers, this is why she uses such attention grabbing headlines. Wake up people, this woman is out to make money so it makes one question the sincerity of her blog.
Hi Brenda.
I am sorry you feel this way. I would like to clarify something. All bloggers make money from advertisers, whether in the form of ads, paid sponsorships, or affiliate programs. They may not make money on all of the products that they recommend, but they do for almost all. Otherwise, they couldn’t afford to keep blogging. The only other alternative would be a blogger who makes money from speaking engagements or the selling of their own products, but typically bloggers will attempt to have a mix of both so that if one income source “dies” or decreases, they can still afford to keep blogging.
I spend a bunch of money just to run the blog, and I spend a lot of time on it. I think it’s totally fine for people to be paid for their work.
As for the headlines, I have been told by many bloggers that I am very good at writing ones that are attention grabbing without being misleadingly sensationalist. I also am careful to back up my writing with good research and I don’t just write things to get page views. I really thought oils were scam, but found out that they weren’t.
And I assume you noticed that I left Young Living (where I had a bunch of reps under me) to go with a company that didn’t even have an affiliate program when I started talking to them. It was risky but I had to do the right thing. You can read more about that here: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/the-great-essential-oils-showdown-in-search-of-the-best-essential-oils/
I hope that helps you see where I am coming from. Thanks much. Happy to address any other concerns that you might have.
Hello again Adrienne
I’m sorry to ask but again with the
Theives. How is it used for the flu and different sicknesses? It’s very late at night and on this site. It’s the first I’ve read about these amazing herbs. And I love this site and your info. Just ignore the snotty remarks and rudeness. And Thank you
Hi there. Thanks for writing. You are so kind. As for the blend, many people diffuse it in the air or put on their feet with a carrier oil. Here is a post the might help you. https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/how-to-use-essential-oils/
Please, please, don’t call yourself a skeptic. For REAL scientific, skeptical analysis of these claims (not made by someone with a crappy website overrun with ads) check out this article. https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/doterra-multilevel-marketing-of-essential-oils/
Hi Joseph. I can and do call myself a skeptic and will continue to do so but I always am welcome to folks challenging me. Well, depends on the day, and such, of course. Here is the definition of skeptic by Merriam Webster: “a person who questions or doubts something (such as a claim or statement) : a person who often questions or doubts things”
Yes, I doubt many things. And sometimes go overboard second guessing and such. I had heard about Young Living and essential oils for YEARS before I finally tried them. So I don’t know why you think I don’t meet that definition. The article you referred to is problematic on several fronts. I can’t go into all of them now, but it states
There is a reason why there are not a bunch of good clinical studies on essential oils. It’s because they aren’t patentable. Monsanto is doing its best to patent naturally occurring products for their own profit but it’s pathetic at best and sinister at worst.
You know that companies put money into research b/c they think they can get money so they don’t do it for natural products like essential oils.
As for your calling my site a “crappy website overrun with ads” I take offense at that.
I do not have a “crappy website” – and that’s just plain rude. I have worked for years on this and it has almost 15,000 subscribers and I — well, over half a million people per month read this and I assume disagree with you or the numbers wouldn’t be climbing. I love helping people figure out how to live healthier lives without breaking their budget as I have had to do that myself.
As for the “overrun with ads” – I just got a new ad management company and we’ve been playing with different options. There is a real balance between having too many ads and making enough money to justify the amount of time one spends working on a blog. I spend so much time doing this that I do need it to not be for free. My family and outside life keeps me very busy so I have to earn a decent income doing this.
I do wish if you have constructive criticism to make in the future that you could do so without making crass insulting comments. Just because it’s the internet there are real people on the other end of the screen.
Thanks again for commenting and if you have any responses I am happy to hear them.
Why are you so holier – than – thou and snotty to people? Wow, I cannot believe the **** (expletive deleted) you hand out. initially, I was interested in reading your blog. Obviously you’re in it just to make money. Not to help anybody. Be real! People that really want to help don’t respond to people the way you do. Anybody that is a little bit skeptical, you just jump out and bite them. Also, I have used Young Living Oils. Their stuff is great! I don’t need to get paid to say it.
Hi Frankie.
Well, I am a little taken aback by your comment. I find it ironic that you would call me “holier than thou” and then use profanity in your comment. The truth is I am not just “in it…to make money.” I left doTERRA and Young Living even though I had a bunch of reps under me at Young Living and I was told that I could make $8,000 per month with doTERRA. It was hard to walk away but I did.
If you have a specific comment that you think was inappropriate in the way that I responded to someone I would appreciate your pointing it out specifically instead of just making a blanket statement. I have had numerous readers comment that they really appreciate the way that I handle folks who are rude to me, so I don’t know what the justification is for you saying that I “just jump out and bite them”.
There are plenty of companies and products that I recommend without getting paid. You can see this post for an example. https://wholenewmom.com/reaching-out/is-costcos-coconut-oil-junk-or-the-real-deal/
I would appreciate hearing about your specific concerns and am happy to respond to them.
Thanks.
Frankie
Lighten up a bit… Do you honestly think that someone is going to put up a website, blog on it about therapy, without some sort of payback.
The bottom line here is this : Do you believe in essential oils, if yes then find the best and purest you can find and read-up on the net before taking them. If not then move on.
If you believe that oils can help people then put your energy into slating the people who who dilute the oils to the point where they are about as beneficial as pepsi, thus giving the oldest cures known to mankind a bad.name.
Even a dog or cat will turn to nature when unwell.
The big issue here is not a guy making a buck blogging to promote oils, its the guy who is passing off highly dituted ‘oils’ as pure.
Don
Hi Don. Thanks much. And my dad is from Dublin so doubly nice to “meet” you.
I do, however, write about some companies without benefit and that’s just the way it goes. But if I can get paid I will. I spend a ton of time doing this and need to get paid – plus I donate quite a bit to charity and plan to continue doing that :).
Take care.
It’s comical that you say on this post “I went on a hunt to get some since finally, a person who didn’t stand to gain from my purchase was recommending it.” What is so funny is that the company you recommend now is one that you GAIN FINANCIALLY from when people purchase from the links on your blog. So isn’t it that the real reason you no longer recommend Young Living is not because of the quality of oils but that you couldn’t make as money from them as you do the oil company you now recommend. Such a hypocrite.
Hi Elisha.
It isn’t comical, actually. I had a big “anti direct marketing” stance b/c I had been approached by some in that kind of line of business so many times and I felt that they used friendships to get money — or that if you weren’t on board w/ their product then you couldn’t have a relationship with them. So I was really opposed to them and didn’t have an open mind that a product could still be good. I thought it was likely all hype.
So it was my own prejudice about the product that got in the way.
When I found Native American Nutritionals and Rocky Mountain Oils, I was being told by doTERRA reps that I could market the oils and make about $8000 per month on my blog. It was really hard to walk away from that kind of temptation but I just couldn’t do it. After I chose Native American I asked the owner if there was some way we could work together. I was their first affiliate. And I told them in no uncertain terms that I would not recommend them if I found something that was a problem.
I am so pleased with them.
I hope that clarifies the situation for you – perhaps I should add some of that to the post if it isn’t clear enough. I wish I had a tape recording of the conversations between my husband and I as we wrestled with this. He told me to leave the MLMs and I did. Thanks and I hope that you can see more clearly why I decided what I did.
Well it seems that the Young Living method helped all your aliments…but somehow the money thing didn’t fit your pocket…..Well the sales for Young Living is off the charts Lady! Young Living is obviously doing something right if they can’t keep their merchandise on the shelves and by the way they are always “Out of stock” on Theives! I have been using for years cured my children of strep throat, pink eye and various other viruses…..YES I have SORRY TO EVERYONE SKEPTICAL…JUST LIKE I BELIEVE IN ANGELS AND JESUS…! Just remember when the world ends who you answer to! Its not me….LOL
Hi there. No, there was more than the money thing. I mentioned several issues that I had.
I am glad you are happy with them but just because something is selling well doesn’t mean it’s the best or that it’s even good for you. I am not making these claims about Young Living, but there are tons of food products in the country that sell really well but are actually killing us.
So anyhow, just to set the record straight I decided I needed to look around at other companies and found things that I liked much better than Young Living. Thanks for commenting though – much appreciated :).
I do not quite understand what you mean about “when the world ends who you answer to” – do you mean that you think we are going to answer to God for what essential oil we use? Thanks in advance.
Thank you for providing so much valuable information in your blogs! I just bought a lot of EO from NOW Foods and Edens Garden, but after those are used up, I will buy from NAN through your links.
Thanks so much!!! I hope you like them as much as we do!
immunity boosters are a huge concern of mine; my son is a terrible eater and no longer nurses, so I’m looking for a more natural immunity boost, definitely. YL told me theives in a diffuser, but I’m just trying to find the best oils for our budget. Thanks!
I am not a doc and can’t recommend something as medical advice, but here is what I am doing. I get a high quality probiotic. I don’t really know about immune boosting w/ oils but it’s a thought. i think of health as coming from the inside out. I think the oils are antibacterial themselves. Does that makes sense?
So here is a post on probiotics. And of course I eat no to very little sugar and de gas my beans and take enzymes. And try to do things that are good for overall health.
These posts might interest you:
Probiotics:https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/the-straight-poop-about-probiotics/
De Gas Beans:https://wholenewmom.com/whole-new-budget/how-to-degas-beans/ (if food is more digestible your body is stronger)
Easy Homemade Probiotics: https://wholenewmom.com/recipes/easy-homemade-sauerkraut-recipe/
Soak Nuts and Seeds (same as w/ the beans): https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/how-and-why-to-soak-and-dehydrate-nuts-and-seeds/
Hope that helps :)!
Hi! Thank you for this!! I’m new to the EO world, but have been interested in learning more about it for quite some time, but it’s hard with the info you find on the Internet…
So, you aren’t necessarily saying you dislike YL, just that I could get the same oils cheaper, elsewhere? YL is exciting to me because they give the samples and info packets along with the diffuser, etc..
What is your advice for a new mom, who doesn’t vaccinate, is pregnant with #2, and looking for more holistic ways of immunity boosters/treatments? Thank you!!!
Hi there. There were more reasons that I left Young Living and doTERRA. Perhaps this series will be helpful: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/the-great-essential-oils-showdown-in-search-of-the-best-essential-oils/
Are you asking for ways to boost your immunity? Thanks!
Excuse me, but antibiotics are no more foreign to the human organism than any essential oil. They can save lives when used properly. They have gotten a bad reputation because of overuse by family physicians in particular…I have personally seen this repeatedly.
They should not be dumped into the toilet or end up in the human food chain.
There is nothing to dread, except people acting without common sense, both those to are in a position to administer them and those who may receive them. Americans are regularly declaring war on something, but anitbitiotics need not be on the hate list. Please, no more hysteria.
Hi there. Of course they can save lives. The issue is that, according to my understanding, antibiotics kill good and bad bacteria, which is where the problem comes in. Whereas essential oils and whether or not they kill good bacteria is up for debate. So I think it’s a totally different thing. Additionally, bacteria do not mutate by exposure to antibiotics. I am sure there are other issues that make antibiotics not as desirable as essential oils, but that is the beginning.
It isn’t hysteria and for sure you must have heard that there are tons of antibiotic-resistant bugs now that are spreading, like MRSA and c-diff. This is a big deal and the overuse of antibiotics is at the forefront for as to why this has happened. If people would look elsewhere unless absolutely necessary, our bodies and guts would be stronger and the “bad bugs” would be weaker.
Of course, you know that a common side effect of antibiotics use is diarrhea and so it is clear that using oral antibiotics causes gut dysfunction.
Thanks for commenting but I am sorry that I don’t agree with you.
What sold me on Young LIVING OILS… not only the fact that they are the best, NON- GMO Organic from Seed to seal…
the final decision was integrity…
Young Living has in their terms and conditions agreement that distributors are forbidden to talk negatively about doTerra or any other oil company…
and
My friend In Canada told me she was paid $1000. to leave young living and sign with Terra…
I signed with Young Living Oils and Love it !!!
Love & Blessings to all…
Remember when it’s cheaper to be sure it is therapeutic grade and NON GMO.
yes, it really matters…
Hi there. I know about those claims. But really what YL says is that they go beyond organic. I understand that as well. Native American and Rocky Mountain list each oil according to how it was grown – organic or wild crafted, etc. I like that transparency.
Perhaps you didn’t see this post? https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/toxic-overload-health-concerns/essential-oils-testing-is-it-reliable/
Not trying to convince you – but just interacting and responding to what you wrote – hope to hear from you again and glad you found a place you are happy with :).
Therapeutic grade is a term that Young Living made up. If you see on their bottle of says Certified Therapitic Grade with a TM above it. They trade marked that term. There is not governing body that makes EOs “Therapitic grade” be careful of the marketing tactics!
Hi there, Gretchen,
Yes, you are correct that Young Living made up a term and that other companies make up terms as well. However, sometimes other companies do say things like “therapeutic grade” simply to indicate that the essential oils are not for fragrance use and are higher quality. Just something to know that it isn’t always a company trying to state that theirs is the only “good oil” out there.
Hope that helps.
I’ve tried YL for a little while. Taking a couple of the citrus to curb my weight caused ulcer type effect. A few drops in a gallon of water. Because of the price and no need for internal use other companies have good oils as well. I like to find good information.. I’ve bought from MRH to mix my own Thieves blend. They had a blog on the matter. This outside of YL really helped.. Among hours of research. Lea Harris has done three types of oil testing from a pro lab. from a 3rd party.
Hi there. Sorry about your ulcer! That’s no fun. I have a diy thieves as well that I am diffusing currently.
I read Lea’s work. I don’t like how she had the tests funded. She stood (and has) to benefit greatly from the resulting posts and funded it on the back of readers and other bloggers – not right in my eyes. There is also room for a lot of error due to her washing the bottles out.
And she tested the wrong oil and then claimed that NAN’s oil was non compliant. Anyhow, I think there is some good material there, but not without its problems.
here you go: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/homemade-anti-bacterial-thieves-essential-oil-blend/ 🙂