How Safe Are Essential Oils? What every parent needs to know.

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Recently an article was published in Parents magazine that basically laid out every parent’s horror story about using essential oils on their children. The article concludes that when it comes to using essential oils “You don’t want to experiment on your children.” Wow. That is groundbreaking information. You mean that you might want to explore safety information before exposing your child to a foreign substance? No way. But how safe are essential oils really?

According to this article, they are exceedingly dangerous, but I disagree on many fronts.

Essential oils have been used for millenia on children and adults alike. No one is claiming that essential oils are without risk. This is why it is so important to know safety parameters surrounding the use of essential oils before using them. However, essential oils are not nearly as dangerous as this extremely one-sided article would have you believe.

Here is a breakdown of what is misleading about this article. There is also a reasonable discussion of how safe essential oils really are in children.

Basil Burned my Child’s Foot and there was No Remedy Online!

In the opening lines of the article, the journalist conveys a story of a child with an ear infection and the croup. The mom read online that rubbing basil essential oil on the foot could help. But following application, the child was screaming in pain and the skin was red with a rash.

First and foremost, essential oils are not medications. They should not be treated as such. A child with a double ear infection may need care of a physician, antibiotics, or perhaps even draining of the eustachian tube. The premise of using essential oils for medicinal purposes does not reflect how the essential oils are labeled.

That said, let’s play devil’s advocate and say that we were looking for scientific evidence that some essential oil can kill bacteria related to otitis media or externa. In just a couple of clicks, you can find easy-to-access, meaningful scientific studies that detail essential oil usage in the treatment of ear infection.

For example, tea tree essential oil at a dilution of 2% can kill more than 71 organisms related to otitis externa in vitro. Multiple studies indicate that essential oils have a role in killing bacteria related to ear infections, and that even in very low concentrations may still have impact.

Bottom line, you can get excellent information on the topic. It is simply that medical information needs to come from reliable sources. “I realized that all these oil protocols had no scientific backing at all.” Not true. You simply trusted random advice from social media, instead of taking a moment to do the research on your own.

Know the Oils That Can Irritate the Skin

Secondly, basil irritates the skin. It is highly concentrated in 1,8-cineole, a known skin irritant. 1,8-cineole has lead to all kinds of safety warnings in young children. Loads of easy-to-find blogs warn against everything from seizures to respiratory distress. Again, this information is exceedingly easy to find. Find it before blindly following the advice of a random stranger in a Facebook group or Pinterest Pin.

Since this mother chose a known hot oil, she ignored the number 1 safety precaution when using essential oils on children. Dilute the essential oil. A quick Google search of “Top Safety Considerations Essential Oils” reveals more than 33 million hits. At least the top five mention dilution as a critical safety point for using essential oils. There was no patch testing mentioned. This is another key safety consideration to use consistently around children.

Moms, I Know You’re Doing Your Best

This critique is in no way to mom shame. She certainly was doing the best she could. However, if you’re going to place a foreign substance on your child’s skin, it behooves you to ask some questions in advance.

I will, however, uninformed doula shame. The woman quoted in the story is a doula. As an advocate for women who are pregnant and nursing, it is critical that doulas and other people within the health care system know basic safety tenants before using or recommending essential oils. Would this doula recommend basil essential oil for a client’s child without research? Then why would she with her own child?

My Kid was Screaming After a Bath in Essential Oils!

Dilution is warranted when adding essential oils to a bath. A mom reports that her child was screaming after adding tea tree oil to a bath. Yes, dilution increases the safety of using essential oils in a bath and a simple Google search can help you understand how clutch dilution is when using essential oils with children.

I Rubbed Essential Oil on My Nursing Breasts, and then Fed my Child.

Okay, my big question here: Have you put that essential oil on your face before exposing the 3-day-old child’s face, as reported in the story? Many essential oils are in appropriate to be placed on delicate skin such as the face, underarms, genitalia, or mucous membranes.

Placing essential oils on sensitive skin such as lactating breasts is a known risk of using essential oils. It does not take much digging to find this information online.

As stands to reason, applying essential oils to broken or irritated skin is also risky. Since breastfeeding breasts may be inflamed, additional caution is warranted.

Essential Oils are Endocrine Disruptors.

Yeah. . . not really. Read my extensive critique of this data here and here. Don’t believe me? Read the published, scathing critique instead.

Poison Control Center Reports are Rapidly Accelerating.

“Poison-center calls about essential-oil exposures have more than doubled in recent years, soaring from 10,729 in 2012 to 23,390 in 2017.”

Soaring? Doubtful.

Even with the uptick in reporting, the roughly 24,000 reports do not even crack the top fifteen list of reported poisonings for children. According to the 2017 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers, children are more likely to be harmed by cosmetics, household cleaners, analgesics, vitamins, topical medicines, and pesticides than by essential oils.

In fact, the mean increase in serious exposures to essential oils has increased only by 11 per year. This pales in comparison to an increase of almost 1800 exposures for both sedative hypnotics and analgesics.

“Children should never ingest essential oils.”

If this is true, then we are bound to oppose the Food and Drug Administration’s stance that dozens of essential oils are Generally Recognized as Safe for Human Consumption. You also must ignore the many food products, including candies and sodas, that contain essential oils. Humans have literally been consuming essential oils as a normal part of the diet since the dawn of time.

Certainly, ingesting a large amount is unwise. But very small amounts, especially when diluted in food and beverages is generally considered safe.

Bottom Line

There is exceptional information about the safe use of essential oils in children and infants. It is why I have this . This is why I wrote this book.

Stop the fear mongering. Do your research, and make the best decision for you and your family.

Unsure where to start? Start here.

Lindsey’s Top Destinations in New York City

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It’s just another day in the Empire State in New York City. One of my favorite things about New York is that everyone comes to visit. But what are some spots that you should not miss? Check out some of my top destinations in New York City.

Take In a Show

One of my favorite nights out in New York City is going to a show. Whether a tiny theatre where a magician or comedian is performing or a massive show with celebrity sightings, NYC has more shows than you can count.

I’ve danced my entire life, and I love watching it performed at the highest level. Check out what is playing at the American Ballet Theatre. The performances are in the gorgeous Metropolitan Opera House, but you can see extraordinary classical performances and inspired new works. If you’re in New York at Christmas, head next door to the David Koch Theatre and check out my favorite interpretation of The Nutcracker by the New York City Ballet Company.

Throughout my childhood and teens, I loved performing on stages in musicals and drama. I honestly wish I still did. So, I head down to Broadway and live vicariously through actors on stage, and come home and sing all the parts that inspire me. In New York, I watch shows more often than I do anywhere else in the world. Check out Mean Girls, Dear Evan Hansen, or Hadestown. If you happen to be in New York fall of 2019, you simply must go see American Utopia by David Byrne. It is billed as the best music staging of all times, and I cannot wait to see it in October.

David Byrne’s American Utopia

Get Fancy

I love getting bougey. I love all things fine dining, expensive shopping, and exceptional self care. Here are a few high brow ideas for New York City.

After you buy your Tiffany T Smile necklace, head upstairs and eat Breakfast at Tiffany’s. From there, window shop along 5th Avenue down to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Keep walking south and check out the architecture of Grand Central Station. It truly is grand. Next make an appointment at the Ohm Spa, and rest those tired feet with a massage and rejuvenate with a facial.

The Blue Box Cafe at Tiffany’s

Found that you wandered north instead? Have High Tea at The Plaza Hotel. Cucumber sandwiches, crumpets and biscuits await. This stop is great for children too. While you’re right there, barely walk into Central Park and you’ll stumble upon the Gapstow Bridge and you can have your Home Alone moment.

You definitely can’t have a list of Top Destinations in New York City without mentioning Central Park.

Central Park Highlights

Speaking of Central Park. It is absolutely massive, and without a very significant, dedicated effort, you simply cannot cover it all in one trip. Most people swing by Columbus Circle, but there are so many other places worth taking in.

Conservatory Garden

If you’re into museums, head to the Upper East Side and travel through Museum Row. While you’re up there, be sure to take in the very private and very quiet Conservatory Garden in Central Park. It is simply a glorious patch of earth that is meticulously manicured in the fashion of a formal French Garden.

The Conservatory Garden

The North Woods

My favorite part of Central Park is the North Woods. Few tourists make it up here because most people stay south of the park, and the North Woods is, well, North. If you follow my Instagram stories, you often see me walking in the North Woods past waterfalls, under massive archways, and in heavily wooded trails. Walk slightly east and you’ll emerge just above the Harlem Meer where you can watch the turtles peek out of the water and walk along the paths.

Hanging in the North Woods

Take in a Sunset (or Sunrise!)

New York has glorious lengthy sunsets that can be seen atop many buildings and from so many different angles. Take a stroll along the West Side Highway at dusk. If you’re into military history, you can stop by the Intrepid while you’re over there. Alternatively, hop on a Circle Line Cruise and sail past Lady Liberty

Already downtown? Grab dinner atop One World Trade or walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset before heading back to Manhattan and eating in Little Italy.

If you’re on the West Side, watch the view from atop the High Line. Find yourself in midtown? Top of the Rock is just the spot for you. No matter where you end up, take a moment to slow down in the city that never sleeps.

When is the last time that you came to NYC? What are your top destinations in New York City? Ready to come and visit? Be sure to check out my New York City Survival Shopping List.

Is CBD an Essential Oil?

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Lately, it seems like the most common question people have about CBD is whether or not it is an essential oil. In short, no. CBD is not an essential oil. 

What Constitutes an Essential Oil?

The definition of essential oil is not always the same, depending on the source you consult. However, there are some basic characteristics and qualities that all essential oils possess.

  • They are volatile: This essentially means that molecules are small such that they evaporate very easily at normal temperatures. (Usually under 500 AMU.)
  • They are aromatic: They impart the aroma to plants.
  • And depending on the source with which you check, most experts agree that true essential oils are obtained by steam distillation. Therefore, according to this definition, essential oils obtained by cold pressing (like citrus oils) or absolute extraction are not “true” essential oils. Rather, citrus oils are essences and oils extracted via solvent are absolutes. Learn more about essential oil distillation techniques.

Cannabidiol

CBD does not pass any of the three tests above.

It is not volatile or particularly aromatic

First, CBD is not volatile or aromatic. It may have some aroma, just as olive oil and other fatty oils do. But it doesn’t evaporate readily at room temperature and give a powerful aroma, nor does it have the extremely small molecules like essential oils. It is a thick, viscous oil that does not rise rapidly into the air.

Actually, CBD does not meet the criteria for a fatty oil or an essential oil. It falls somewhere in between. 

It is not steam distilled

CBD cannot be steam distilled because the high temperature could destroy fragile CBD molecules. CBD must either be extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide or with solvent extraction. Learn more about CBD extraction in this post.

Do you use CBD? Comment below and tell us your favorite ways!

Still have questions? Check out my CBD Master Class!

Vegan CBD Brownies

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Cannabidiol (CBD) is everywhere these days. You can find it infused into soaps, lotions, and muscle rubs, but you can also cook foods and mix up beverages that include CBD. Try these Vegan CBD Brownies for a unique way to enjoy a treat and wind down from a stressful day at the same time!

These Vegan CBD Brownies are perfect for mellowing out and helping you relax after a long day. Try bringing them to your next gathering and share with your friends the benefits of CBD oil.

Vegan CBD Brownies

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325° F. Grease and flour two 9″ X 12″ inch baking dishes.
  2. Combine chickpea flour, coconut sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder in a medium mixing bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine and mix applesauce, agave, almond milk, coconut oil, CBD oil and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl.
  4. Add the wet ingredients into the dry and stir with a hand whisk until smooth. Add the chocolate chips and mix again.
  5. Pour the batter onto prepared baking pans. Top with the cocoa nibs.
  6. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until rich and dark and a cake tester comes out clean.
  7. Allow brownies to cool and cut each sheet into 12 portions.
  8. Garnish with freshly chopped mint.

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Want another decadent chocolate-lover’s recipe? Check out these Euphoric Keto Vegan Cacao Truffles!

To learn more about CBD, come watch the CBD Master Course!

For access to hundreds of delicious vegan recipes, from main courses to desserts and even fresh juice and mocktail recipes, get the Clean Slate Cleanse Cookbook!