The internet is where we go these days when we what to look something up. If we have an illness or a health problem we will often search on the web before we visit a doctor or a health practitioner. There are hundreds of websites making false claims and supplying misleading information. Martin Watt lifts the lid on an Indian website who are making outrageous and dangerous claims about essential oils.

The website mentions Bitter Almond oil as a Vermifuge, an anti-carcinogen and a cure for hydrophobia (or rabies) but as Martin says "Almond oil is extremely toxic and is banned for all cosmetic or aromatherapy purposes. Only grades processed to remove the hydrocyanic acid are considered safe. The forgoing advice says nothing about the grades".

Tansy oil is mentioned but there is no mention of the fact that some tansy oils are highly toxic. Rue essential oil is claimed to be an antidote to poison, again there is no mention of the fact that rue oil can cause severe skin damage.

Martin points out that the website fails to differentiate between:
1. External use of the oil in aromatherapy.
2. The internal medicinal uses of the oil - often a historical use when other safer medicines were not available.
3. The traditional use of the herbal preparation (NOT the oil) as a medicine.

Have a look at Martin's article yourself and if you use essential oils bookmark the Aromamedical website so that you can come back and check whenever you have questions or are unsure about the safety of an essential oil.