Go EO Free!: Education, Resources, & Alternatives For An Essential Oil Free Lifestyle

Go EO Free!
Education, Resources, & Alternatives

for an Essential Oil Free Lifestyle
Written by: Arielle de Martinez
Property of ArielledeMartinez.com; updated December 2021

Please do not reproduce or share my work without giving me credit. Thank you.
An Essential Oil Free Lifestyle:
Part 1: What are Essential Oils actually?
It seems impossible to venture into any wellness community

without hearing about essential oils. Almost every 'natural'
hygiene product from toothpaste to shampoo contains them; they
are in candles and "plant based" 'cleaning products--I even have
discovered them hiding in foods instead of natural or artificial
flavouring!
So, what are essential oils exactly? Essential oils are actually
referred to as volatile oil compounds in the scientific realm. There
has never been any conclusive study on what the actual purpose
of volatile oils are, but the reigning theory is that they are the waste
system of the plant. Plants are unable to excrete wastes, and
therefore have to have somewhere to store them.
Regardless, volatile oils are the component that is responsible
for the fragrance of a plant--the more fragrance a plant has, the
more volatile oil compounds they contain. Volatile oils have been
scientifically proven to have many medicinal properties, and the
most general property is that they all seem to have a strong
amount of antimicrobial activity. This means that they have the
ability to fight/kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other pathogens.
For this reason, essential oils are often found in many different
household products, such as cleaning supplies, hand soaps and
sanitizers, and more.

Part 2: How are Essential Oils Harmful?
So, what seems to be the problem? If they are scientifically proven
to have medicinal benefit, what is the issue with using them?
The first issue is the concentration. It takes a lot of plant matter to
create just a few drops of essential oil. Obviously, essential oils are
rarely used on their own, but the issue here is this:
Volatile oils make up a very, very small portion of the plant, many
of them make up less than 1% of the plant. Some of the very
fragrant ones contain more, but for the most part they are found in
trace amounts in the actual plant, which means one would have to
go through a lot of plant matter to get even a few drops of oil.
April Graham from Wild Wood Apothecary did the math for us in
her own article, "Why I'm EO Free," found on her website, in
regards to peppermint, and found that it takes over a half a pound
of peppermint to get one drop of peppermint essential oil.
So, think about putting one drop of peppermint EO in your water...if
you were using the whole plant, would you add a half a pound of
peppermint to that glass, or just a few sprigs? In fact, to get exposed
to the amount of volatile oil in just one drop of peppermint essential
oil, you would have to drink over 140 cups of peppermint tea.
That's crazy, right?
The point of this example is to show that one would never come
across even one drop of essential oil in the natural world on their
own.

Part 3: Essential Oils vs The Pharmaceutical Industry
Did you know that over 80% of pharmaceutical drugs are derived
from plants? That means that a plant constituent was isolated from
the whole plant and its sum of parts and used as an active ingredient
in a prescription drug. We know that prescription drugs have side
effects--all you have to do is listen to a drug commercial to hear that
long list of potential side effects that, in total, seem worse than the
reason why you would be taking the drug in the first place!
So how come plant constituents can have harmful side effects? Most
side effects are a result of separating the constituents from the plant
in the first place. A really great example of this is Willow Bark (Salix
spp) or Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria). They both contain
salicin, which converts to salicylic acid in the body, and is effective at
relieving pain. Salicylic Acid is the active ingredient in aspirin. On it's
own, salicin can be really hard on the stomach, which is why overuse
of aspirin can lead to stomach issues. However, Meadowsweet is a
natural demulcent, which means that it naturally coats the stomach
upon entrance to the digestive tract. This ensures that the salicylic
acid is never able to irritate the stomach lining, and is never able to
cause any problems.
After reading this example, it's easy to see how certain plant
properties can be exploited once they are separated from the whole
plant.
Essential Oils, or Volatile Oil Compounds, are a plant constituent.
When isolated from the whole plant, their properties can be
exploited, too. Essential Oils DO have medicinal benefits, but we can
access those benefits through the use of whole plant medicine.

Part 4: Essential Oils + The Microbiome
Now, let's think about what we just learned and apply it on a larger scale. If
peppermint is known to have antimicrobial activity, found in its volatile oil
compounds, then just how much antibacterial property are you actually getting in
only one drop of peppermint essential oil? Quite, a lot actually.
Let me let you in on a little secret. Even whole plants with antimicrobial
properties have the potential to disrupt the human microbiome if used over a long
period of time. So to isolate that antimicrobial property and up the concentration
exposes us to much more in a shorter amount of time. It would be naive to think
that the use of essential oils isn't affecting our own microbiota--even when diluted,
which we covered isn't really exposing us to more natural amounts.
Our bodies have so many different microbiomes--The stomach, vaginal
canal, nose, mouth, skin, intestinal tract, and face all have different a unique,
complex array of healthy bacteria that have a variety of functions. For example,
did you know that our mucous membranes (noses and mouths) are the front lines
of our immune system? They are how we are exposed to various pathogens on a
daily basis. Sneezing, runny noses, coughing, and saliva is all part of the immune
response to help keep pathogens out of the body, and they each contain a unique
neighborhood of pathogen fighting bacteria of their own. Now imagine diffusing
essential oils through your home in a nifty little diffuser. You are breathing in air
that has been saturated with a product that kills bacteria.
Time for some critical thinking:
What will this air come in contact with first? That's right, our mucous
membranes, as they were designed.
What will this antibiotic air disrupt? That's right, our pathogen fighting
bacteria found in our mucous membranes.
What will happen when we come across a harmful pathogen another
day? That's right, our frontline immune bacteria will not be able to fight these
pathogens, making our bodies easy access for these pathogens to get deeper
in our bodies and cause more problems.

Part 5: Essential Oils + Sustainability
While the microbiome seems to be the most concerning "personal" issue with
essential oils, on a "larger than us" scale, sustainability is a big factor. We have
already covered the very large quantity of plant matter it takes to create essential
oils, but let's share a few more examples:
10,000 Rose Petals to create 1 pound of Rose EO

45 Lemons to make 1 drop of Lemon EO
Over 1/2 pound of Peppermint to make 1 drop of Peppermint EO
250 pounds of Lavender to make 1 pound of Lavender EO
6000 pounds of Lemon Balm to make 1 pound of Lemon Balm EO
Again, would you add the juice of 45 lemons in one glass of water? No way! But we
aren't talking about us anymore--we are talking about the environment.
The concern here is the fact that it clearly takes a LOT of land, time, and resources
to grow such a large amount of plant matter to only end up using such a miniscule
amount of the actual plant matter itself. Not only is this destructive to our land and
soil, as it depletes it of minerals and other resources, but investment in growing
such a large amount of anything needs to be protected, and that leaves these
plants open to harmful farming practices such as pesticide protection, chemical
fertilizers, artificial climate control, and additional water resources due to being
grown in non native climates. Many large Essential Oil companies get around this
issue by saying they don't use organic farming practices because there is no
organic regulation for essential oils in the US. This is true, but it also enables them
to enjoy the benefits of protecting their investment with inorganic practices.
For plants that can't be farmed, they are subjected to overharvesting, which puts
them at risk for extinction and disrupts the balance and flora of their native
environment. Sustainable wildcrafting practices suggest that one never harvest
more than 10% of a plant found in the wild, and that is just impossible when such a
large amount of plant matter is required for essential oil distillation.

Part 6: Essential Oils in the Birth Space + Infancy
Using essential oils in the birth space and on babies and children can be
problematic for two reasons: the ability to disrupt the microbiome and the ability to
disrupt the endocrine system.
During the birth process, an infant is colonized with bacteria found in the vaginal
canal and skin of the mother. This is an infant's first exposure to what will soon
become the basis for their own unique, diverse microbiome. After delivery, their
second exposure comes in the form of the first feed--those few drops of colostrum
are rich in probiotics. After about three hours of life, a seal forms over the infant's
digestive tract, thus sealing in all of those newly obtained strains of bacteria. The
bacteria begins to multiply, and babe officially has their own microbiome! As you
can see, the first three hours of life are CRUCIAL in terms of microbiome
development. We have already began to see proof of this, as infants who are born
via caesarean section tend to have a less diverse microbiome and are more likely
to be sick their first year of life, among other risks linked to poor gut health.
After the first three hours, the first 100 days of life are crucial for fostering this
healthy gut connection. This can be supported by exclusively breastfeeding by a
mother who eats probiotic rich foods, or by supplementing with probiotics for
infants who are formula fed. The next crucial stage is the first two years of life.
Studies have shown that the bacteria a child has has age two will be with them for
the rest of their life. So the time leading up to that is a time to support their
microbiomes to flourish.
Imagine if a pregnant mother unknowingly places an essential oil diffuser in her
birthspace and has it diffusing essential oils while her baby is born. In theory, all of
that healthy bacteria babe was just exposed to when babe takes their first big
gulps of air? Wiped out by those volatile oil compounds being diffused into the air,
or at the very least influenced/disrupted.
Many "natural" infant care lotions, soaps, and salves contain essential oils as well.
I would refrain from using these on infants while their microbiomes are so
sensitive.

Part 7: Essential Oils as Endocrine Disruptors
Endocrine disruptors are a big buzz word right now. Endocrine disruptors
interfere with the body's hormones and can cause issues with development,
reproductive and immune systems, the brain, and more.
Two different essential oils have been studied as potential endocrine

disruptors--Lavender and Tea Tree. The volatile oil compounds in these two
oils are actually found in over 90 different essential oils, so these studies
could theoretically speak for many other essential oils, and were chosen for
the study for this reason.
One study looked at lavender alone, and it showed that lavender can have an
estrogenic effect, which means that it can fill our estrogen receptors in our
own body, causing a hormonal imbalance or an estrogen dominance.
Lavender essential oil was also found to affect testosterone levels as well.
Another study showed that these two oils contribute to prepubescent breast
development in both girls and boys. This study looked at patients who were
treated for either abnormal or early breast development and found that over
half of them were exposed to lavender or tea tree oil on a daily basis, whether
through a lavender diffuser that ran all day in the classroom or the daily use
of a soap containing lavender essential oil. In every case, once the essential
oils were removed from the home, the breast tissue returned back to normal.
There has not been enough research done or a large enough group of
subjects to make a definite conclusion about essential oils' endocrine
disruptive abilities, but these two studies show that there is definite
correlation between EO use and estrogenic and antiandrogenic activity in
children.

Part 8: What do I use instead of EOs?
If you use EOs for: Consider Using:
Hydrosols, Infused Oils

Scent
or Witch Hazel
Skin Care + Healing Herbal Oils, Hydrosols
Fumigation, Herbal
Air Scent + Purification Simmers, Incense, Diffusing
Hydrosols, or Indoor Plants
Internal Use Herbal Tinctures or

Infusions
Cleaning Herb infused Vinegar/Witch

Hazel, Baking Soda
There is always a whole plant alternative to essential oils!

Part 9: What do I do with my old EOs?
Don't: Do:
Find a (bare) patch of earth to give
(unadulterated) oils back to
Look into options for dumping
Dump them down drains or
hazardous waste in your area
toilets as EOs have the ability to
Check each oil's Material Safety Data
disrupt marine life. Sheet (MSDS) to check disposal
directions
Contact a Biodiesel Salvage Company
to see if they would like your oils
(diluted and undilutes) for biodiesel
production
Recycle empty bottles--EOs are Contact your local waste

management company to find out
flammable and are considered
what they will accept
hazardous. Plastic lids and rollers
Contact the EO company itself to see if
are also not often accepted. they accept old bottles for recycling.

Part 10: Resource List-EO Free Herbalists
I have compiled a list of the following herbalists/healers who have either essential
oil free products or education:
@arielledemartinez - EO free apothecary and EO free + whole plant

education (myself)
@kossmabeauty - EO + PUFA free skincare and education (ARIELLE10 for
10% off)
@florawellness - EO free apothecary
@wildflower.and.the.rose - Hydrosols and Herbal Hair Care (affiliate link:
https://wildflowerandtherose.com/?aff=3 )
@wholisticbirthservices - EO free products to support birth and postpartum
@moss_and_violet- EO free apothecary and whole plant education
@she_is_of_the_woods -EO free plant medicine and personal care products
and EO free + whole plant education
@thewombroomco - EO free + whole plant education
@earth_and_spirit - EO free education + EO free plant medicine
@triplemoontraditions - EO free personal care products (includes deodorant)
@verbalroots - EO free apothecary
@_herbonnashomeremedies - EO free apothecary
@holistic.beet - EO free apothecary
@clarke_alexandria - EO free apothecary
@loomishillbotanics_suz - EO free skincare and apothecary
@under_luna - has unscented, EO free shampoo and conditioner options
@mywellnesse & @boka - has EO free toothpaste options
@thefolkandfire - EO free apothecary
@theyellowhouseinthewoods - EO Free soap and skincare products and
more along with EO free education
@fullwombwellness - EO free apothecary

Part 11: Resource List-Articles to Learn More
Earth Island Journal: Covers Sustainability + Disposal Issues :

www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/articles/entry/the_environmental_impact
_of_essential_oils/
Nutritional Aesthetics Alliance: Sustainability + Whole Plant Medicine:

https://skinwellnesspro.com/essential-oils-sustainability-concerns/
Ask The Dentist: Oral Microbiome Concerns and EO Toxicity:

https://askthedentist.com/essential-oils-toothpaste/#essential-oils-in-the-mouth-
kill-beneficial-bacteria
Wild Wood Apothecary: Microbiome, Sustainability, and the Science behind it:
https://www.wildwoodapothecary.org/essentialoilfree
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: Endocrine Disruption and

Prepubescent Breast Development:
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/essential-oils/index.cfm
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: Lavender EO linked to early

breast growth: https://factor.niehs.nih.gov/2019/9/feature/3-feature-
lavender/index.htm
News Medical Life Sciences: Supporting the Topical Microbiome
https://www.news-medical.net/whitepaper/20200923/Is-There-Evidence-for-
Topical-Prebiotics-for-a-Balanced-Skin-Microbiome.aspx
Pompa: The Home Microbiome + EO Free ways to support it:
https://drpompa.com/health/the-home-microbiome/

Part 11: Resource List, continued
Volatile organic compound and particulate matter emissions from an ultrasonic

essential oil diffuser. - Abstract - Europe PMC
Personal exposure to mixtures of volatile organic compounds: modeling and

further analysis of the RIOPA data. - Abstract - Europe PMC
Ultrafine particle emissions from essential-oil-based mosquito repellent products.

- Abstract - Europe PMC
Reduction of particulate matter and volatile organic compounds in biorefineries:

A state-of-the-art review. - Abstract - Europe PMC
The impact of emissions from an essential oil diffuser on cognitive performance. |

Meta (meta-infra.org)
Synergy between essential oil components and antibiotics: a review | Meta (meta-
infra.org)
Aromas of rosemary and lavender essential oils differentially affect cognition and
mood in healthy adults | Meta (meta-infra.org)
Please note: Many studies will refer to essential oils as Volatile Oil Compounds or
VOCs, which we know is the scientific term for the compounds that make up
essential oils, like thymol in thyme essential oil.

Part 12: Conclusion
I receive messages from women everyday panicking about their EO use. I tell
them all the same thing:
1. Give yourself grace. We do the best that we can with the information that
we know at the time.
2. I encourage them to spend time researching the links that I have provided
in the previous page so that they can have an informed opinion of their
own.
3. I actually don't encourage them to stop ALL essential oil use right away. It
can be very overwhelming and expensive. Instead, I suggest they
evaluate one category at a time and start finding replacements. I first
suggest to stop using EOs as medicine--internally, topically, and
aromatically. Next, I suggest to start reevaluating cleaning products and
switching them out for scent free options. Finally, I suggest evaluating
personal care products. These can be really difficult as the natural beauty
market is saturated with essential oils. Choosing scent free or homemade
whenever possible is the best option.
4. Finally, I encourage them to start dabbling in whole plant herbalism.
Whether that is brewing a cup of herbal tea before bed or trying their first
tincture, there is magic in plant medicine for all, and the excitement and
autonomy that they discovered using essential oils can only be magnified
using whole plants.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this resource guide. My wish is
that it be a starting point in your own healer's journey.
In Sisterhood,
@arielledemartinez
Arielle de Martinez arielledemartinez.com

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Go EO Free!

Education, Resources, & Alternatives

Property of ArielledeMartinez.com; updated December 2021

It seems impossible to venture into any wellness community

Property of ArielledeMartinez.com; updated December 2021

Property of ArielledeMartinez.com; updated December 2021

Property of ArielledeMartinez.com; updated December 2021

Property of ArielledeMartinez.com; updated December 2021

10,000 Rose Petals to create 1 pound of Rose EO

Property of ArielledeMartinez.com; updated December 2021

Property of ArielledeMartinez.com; updated December 2021

Two different essential oils have been studied as potential endocrine

Property of ArielledeMartinez.com; updated December 2021

If you use EOs for: Consider Using:

Hydrosols, Infused Oils

Skin Care + Healing Herbal Oils, Hydrosols

Internal Use Herbal Tinctures or

Cleaning Herb infused Vinegar/Witch

There is always a whole plant alternative to essential oils!

Property of ArielledeMartinez.com; updated December 2021

Recycle empty bottles--EOs are Contact your local waste

Property of ArielledeMartinez.com; updated December 2021

@arielledemartinez - EO free apothecary and EO free + whole plant

Property of ArielledeMartinez.com; updated December 2021

Earth Island Journal: Covers Sustainability + Disposal Issues :

Nutritional Aesthetics Alliance: Sustainability + Whole Plant Medicine:

Ask The Dentist: Oral Microbiome Concerns and EO Toxicity:

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: Endocrine Disruption and

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: Lavender EO linked to early

Property of ArielledeMartinez.com; updated December 2021

Volatile organic compound and particulate matter emissions from an ultrasonic

Personal exposure to mixtures of volatile organic compounds: modeling and

Ultrafine particle emissions from essential-oil-based mosquito repellent products.

Reduction of particulate matter and volatile organic compounds in biorefineries:

The impact of emissions from an essential oil diffuser on cognitive performance. |

Property of ArielledeMartinez.com; updated December 2021

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