Essential Oils - The Natural Way to Optimal Health

Hazardous, Chemical, and Toxic Ingredients

Acetone: found in cologne, dishwashing liquid & detergent, nail enamel remover. On EPA, RCRA, CERCLA Hazardous Waste lists. Inhalation can cause dryness of the mouth and throat; dizziness, nausea, incoordination, slurred speech, drowsiness, an in severe exposures, coma. Acts primarily as a central nervous system depressant.

Alcohol or isopropyl (includes anything with the phrase cetearyl-, glyceryl-, or stearyl-): dries skin and hair, creates cracks and fissures in the skin that encourage bacterial growth.

Aluminum: used in soft-drink cans, cookware, cheeses, white flour, baking powder and deodorants.  The Harvard Health Letter (Oct. 1990, Vol. 15, No. 11) cites a study that found "Aluminum accumulates in lesions in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.  It builds up in degenerating nerve fibers (neuritic plaques) and shriveled filaments inside the cells (neurofibrary tangles). Aluminum accumulates in the brain, kidneys, and GI tract (How to Stay Young and Healthy in a Toxic World, Louise Gittleman). Aluminum is connected with Alzheimer's, depression, constipation and Schizophrenia (Fighting Radiation, Steve Schnecter, N.D.). People that eat animal foods such as meats, poultry, and dairy are regularly ingesting higher concentrations of aluminum.

Sensitization occurs during continuous application of aluminium containing antiperspirants or by aluminium adjuvants in vaccines and pollen extracts. May result in persistent granuloma at the injection site and recurrent eczema.

Caution: Vitamin C makes your intestines absorb aluminum better.

Arsenic: may be present in coffee, some types of rice, salt, industrial pollution and pesticides.  White ant poison is in cigarette tobacco.  Causes numbness of the limbs and loss of coordination as part of its long list of symptoms.  It is found in heavy industrial areas in the air, water, pesticides, and insecticides and is associated with epilepsy, arthritis, and arteriosclerosis (Arsenic and Your Environment, Dr. Bara Fischer, 1986).

Aspartame: the artificial sweetener sold as NutraSweet and Equal, can cause headaches and migraines, rashes, ringing ears, depression, insomnia and loss of motor control according to a study by the FDA.

Benzaldehyde: contained in perfume, cologne, hairspray, laundry bleach, deodorants, detergent, Vaseline lotion, shaving cream, shampoo, bar soap, dishwasher detergent.  Narcotic, sensitizer, local anesthetic, and central nervous system depressant.  Irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs, and GI tract causing nausea and abdominal pain.  May cause kidney damage.  Don't use with contact lenses.

Benzyl Acetate:  contained in perfume, cologne, shampoo, fabric softener, stickup air freshener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, soap, hairspray, bleach, aftershave, and deodorants. Linked to pancreatic cancer.  Vapors are irritating to eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough.  Causes hyperaemia of the lungs in mice. Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic effects. Do not flush to sewer.

Benzyl Alcohol:Synonyms: a-Hydroxytoluene; Benzenemethanol; Phenylcarbinol ;Phenylmethanol. Found in perfume, cologne, soap, shampoo, nail enamel remover, air freshener, laundry bleach and detergent, Vaseline lotion, fabric softener, and deodorants. Can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, central nervous system depression, and death in severe cases (respiratory failure). Irritating to the upper respiratory tract.

Uses:Allergen extracts; flavors; fragrances; hair dyes; injectable solutions; inks; local anesthetic; ophthalmic solutions; pharmaceuticals; photography; plastics; preservative; and solvent.

Butane: Aerosol propellant. Flammable and in high doses may be narcotic or cause asphyxiation.

Cadmium: contained in; cigarette smoke, coffee, gasoline, pesticides, industrial effluents, plastics, fertilizers, auto exhaust, refined foods, steel cooking pans and metal pipes.  Other common sources are smoke from burning of wastes, wood, and garbage.  The first water out of the tap each day, hot tap water, and water from galvanized or black plastic pipes contain cadmium. It is also associated with high blood pressure (hypertension).

Camphor: Local irritant and central nervous system stimulant. Found in perfume, shaving cream, nail enamel, fabric softener, dishwasher detergent, nail color, and stickup air freshener. Irritating to eyes, nose and throat. Readily absorbed through body tissues. May cause confusion, dizziness, nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions. Avoid inhalation of vapors.

Carbon Monoxide: comes from auto exhaust, cigarette smoke and smog. When combined with the body's hemoglobin, presents oxygen from being transported throughout the body.  Carbon monoxide also allows for the development of cholesterol deposits on artery walls. These two factors increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Studies also show it to be a factor in anemia, angina, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, headaches, memory loss and respiratory disorders.

Chamomile: may intensify or prolong the effects of sedatives; may reduce iron absorption; and may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulants.

Cigarette: "radioactive" as found in a sixteen-year scientific report. A pack-a-day smoker is exposed to radiation in the amount estimated to be equal to approximately 300 chest x-rays per year (Fighting Radiation with Foods, Herbs & Vitamins, Steven. R. Schechter). Factor in 17.2% of all deaths in the U.S., 85% of lung cancer is smoking related, and 85% of deaths of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a direct result of smoking.  The American Lung Association reports that 350,000 Americans die every year from smoking. Second-hand smoke and its toxic chemicals have been linked to life-threatening diseases and is estimated to play a role in over 50,000 deaths annually in the U.S.  Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, carbon monoxide, carcinogen (including polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and hexavelant chromium), cadmium, lead, nickel, arsenic, tar, hydrogen cyanide, radioactive compounds, pesticides, irritant substances, and traces of certain gases with unknown effects.

Citric Acid: Inhalation of dust irritates nose and throat. Contact with eyes causes irritation.  Frequent or excessive intake of Citric Acid may cause erosion of teeth and local irritation…effect also occurs with lemon juice, which contains about 7% Citric Acid.

Coal Tar: Preparations should generally not be applied to the anogenital area because of the potential carcinogenic risk associated with topical application in this area. Photosensitizes the skin, making it more vulnerable to UV rays. Coal tar preparations may produce dermatitis, sometimes severe, when used for prolonged periods. Dermatitis may be allergic or irritant in nature. Irritant effects increase with increasing concentration. Topical application of coal tar preparations in hypersensitive patients may elicit a pustular eruption or keratocystic response. Prolonged use of strong coal tar preparations may produce a painless, chronic folliculitis (tar acne).

Dioxin:  one of the deadliest substances known is sprayed on coffee and vegetable fields in Costa Rica.  Also found in many lawn fertilizers.

DMDM Hydantoin & Urea (Imidazolidinyl):  two of many preservatives that often release formaldehyde which may cause joint pain, skin reactions, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness, and loss of sleep.  Exposure may also irritate the respiratory system, trigger heart palpitations or asthma, and aggravate coughs and colds.  Other possible side effects include weakening the immune system and cancer.  Alternative: Lonicera Japonica

Ethyl Acetate: On EPA Hazardous Waste list citing symptoms:  irritating to eyes and respiratory tract; may cause headache and narcosis (stupor); defatting effect on skin and may cause drying and cracking; may cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to liver and kidneys.  Found in after shave, cologne, perfume, shampoo, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid, nail color and remover.  Narcotic.  Wash thoroughly after handling.

Ethanol: On EPA Hazardous Waste list citing symptoms: fatigue, irritating to eyes and upper respiratory tract in even low concentrations.  Inhalation and ingestion of ethanol vapors have similar effects, such as an initial stimulatory effect followed by drowsiness, impaired vision, ataxia, stupor, and central nervous system disorder. Found in hairspray, shampoo, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, laundry detergent, shaving cream, soap, Vaseline lotions, air fresheners, nail color and remover, paint and varnish remover.

FD&C Color Pigments:  synthetic colors made from coal tar, containing heavy metal salts that deposit toxins onto the skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation.  Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and death.  Animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic.  No Alternative Necessary.

Fluorine/Fluoride:  affects the kidneys and promotes low blood pressure.  Associated with Parkinson's like tremors, it also causes the muscles to become flabby and degenerated.  Many commercial toothpastes (tubes containing 1,000 - 2,000 mgs. of fluoride) contain enough fluoride to kill a small child who might eat the whole contents (Journal of Pediatrics, 1987).

Food Additives: highly suspect carcinogens; particularly BHA, BHT, Food Dyes, Red No. 3, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, and Citrus Red No. 2; propyl gallate and sodium nitrite.

Formaldehyde:  Toxic, colorless gas that is a strong irritant and known carcinogen. It is used in industry as a powerful preservative, in agriculture as foot rot treatment for cattle and sheep, and as embalming fluid in the mortuary. When formaldehye is combined with water, it is commonly used as a disinfectant, fixative and a preservative. It is a common preservative in childhood vaccines! It is also found in many cosmetic products, bubble bath, shampoos, and conventional nail beauty treatments.  Contained in bed mattresses, boxsprings, padded furniture, some new clothing, much carpeting, and most of the plywood and fiberboard with which most homes, cabinets, and some furniture are built.

Fragrances: mostly synthetic ingredients, can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients, many toxic or carcinogenic. Symptoms reported to the FDA include headaches, dizziness, allergic rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and skin irritation. Clinical observation proves fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes. Alternatives:  Aromatherapeutic, Organic Essential Oils.

Hydrocarbons (e.g. mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin) contain carcinogenic and mutagenic Polycyclic Aromatice Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and can cause chemically induced acne.

Hydrocortisone:  Chronic exposure results in adverse physiologic effects including cushingoid appearance, muscle weakness, and osteoporosis. Thins the skin.  Chronic exposure may cause posterior subcapsulary cataracts and glaucoma.  Hydrocortisone is a milder corticosteroid.  Corticosteroids reduce the body’s ability to fight infections by suppressing inflammation and must be used with extreme care when infections are present. Their use may worsen high blood pressure, heart failure, diabetes, peptic ulcer, kidney failure, and osteoporosis.

The long-term use of corticosteroids, particularly at higher doses and when given intravenously or by mouth, invariably leads to many side effects, involving nearly every organ in the body.  Common side effects include thinning of the skin with stretch marks and bruising, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels, cataracts, puffiness in the face (moon face) and abdomen, and thinning of the arms and legs, poor wound healing, stunted growth in children, loss of calcium in the bones (which can lead to osteoporosis), stomach bleeding, hunger, weight gain, and mental problems.

Kaolin: Commonly used in foundations, face powders and dusting powders. Kaolin is a fine white clay often associated with bauxite (aluminum ore) and is used in making fine porcelain. Like bentonite, kaolin smothers the skin and weakens the structure.

Lead: found in dyes, gasoline, paint, plumbing, pottery, water, insecticides, tobacco smoke, textiles and scrap metal.  Associated with aggressive behavior, delinquency, and attention disorders in boys between the ages of 7 and 11. May lead to loss of control over impulsive behavior.  The IQ levels is lowered by low levels of lead. Lead poisoning was referred to as the most common and socially devastating environmental disease of young children in 1991.  Lead has been found to be related to anemia, cramps, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and general weakness of the body. Long exposure to it leads to tremors, twitching of the face muscles, jerking of the limbs, confusion, mania, and seizures.  Directly associated with epilepsy and kidney cancer.

Limonene: Carcinogenic. Prevent contact with skin or eyes as it is an irritant and sensitizer. Wash thoroughly after use (cosmetics) and do not inhale limonene vapor.  Found in perfume, cologne, nail color and remover, disinfectant spray, bar soap, shaving cream, deodorants, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid, air fresheners, after shave, bleach, paint and varnish remover.

Linalool: Narcotic. Attracts bees. Caused ataxic gait, reduces spontaneous motor activity and depression, and development of respiratory disturbances leading to death in animal tests. Causes central nervous system disorder. Depressed frog-heart activity. Contained in perfume, cologne, bar soap, shampoo, hand lotion, nail enamel remover, hairspray, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, Vaseline lotion, air fresheners, bleach powder, fabric softener, shaving cream, after shave, and solid deodorant.

Manganese:& cause learning disabilities, increase in aggressive behavior, and loss of control over impulsive behavior.

Mercury: One of the most toxic metals and a poison found in our soil, water and food supply as well as in sewage sludge, fungicides and pesticides.  Large amounts are found in fish, particularly those higher up in the food chain.  It is also found in various everyday products including cosmetics, dental fillings, fabric softeners, inks used by printers and tattooists, latex, medications, paints, plastics, polishes, solvents and wood preservatives.

Methylene Chloride: Carcinogenic. Causes headaches, giddiness, stupor, irritability, fatigue, tingling in the limbs, and central nervous system disorders. Absorbed, stored in body fat, it metabolizes to carbon monoxide, reducing oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Found in cologne, shampoo, and paint and varnish remover.  Even though it has been banned by the FDA in 1988, trade secret laws protect the chemical fragrance industry.Remains on EPA, RCRA, CERCLA Hazardous Waste Lists.

Methylparaben: used to extend a products shelf life and inhibit microbial growth. Highly toxic. Can cause rashes and other allergic reactions.

Mineral Oil: petroleum byproduct that coats the skin like plastic, clogging the pores. Interferes with skin's ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders.  Slows down skin function and cell development, resulting in premature aging.  Used in many products (baby oil is 100% mineral oil!) Mineral oil forms an oily film over skin to lock in moisture, toxins and waste, but hinders normal skin respiration by keeping oxygen out.  Commonly found in baby lotions.  Alternatives:  Moisture Magnets (Saccharide Isomerate) from beets; Ceramides, Jojoba and other vegetable oils, etc.

Nickel: a known carcinogen (cancer-producing) metal, is used in dental work and has an adverse effect on T-cell percentages (Maximum Immunity by Michael A. Weiner, Ph.D.).

Synthetic Organochlorines: Approximately 11,000 in existence and virtually all of them are highly persistent, highly reactive with human tissues, and very frequently associated with human cancers.  Common names: DDT, PCB's, lindane, chlordane, dieldrin, and others that have been used as insecticides.  When organochlorine chemicals volatize, they can easily drift on wind currents for thousands of miles, afterwards being deposited in water and on soil and vegetation. From there they enter the food chain, and diet is believed to be a major source of human exposure.

Pesticides: (i.e., insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, microbicides) are found nearly anywhere in the environment, both indoors and outdoors. Many homes, most schools, virtually all grocery stores, restaurants, malls, department stores, and most public office buildings are regularly fumigated with insecticides. Most public parks and other public areas are regularly sprayed with herbicides, and sometimes with insecticides. Almost all federal, state, and county roadways are regularly sprayed with herbicides. Large agricultural areas and private timberlands are sprayed regularly with herbicides and insecticides. Some of the worst pesticide spraying takes place on golf courses, in cemetaries, and on private neighborhood lawns (Thomas Kerns, Environmentally Induced Illness, P. 7, 2001)

May be responsible for cancers, respiratory disorders, neural damage (as in Parkinson's Disease and other central nervous system disorders), immune system damage, and endocrine system dysregulation in those directly exposed and their offspring. Washing with soap and water does not completely remove pesticides because they bind to the skin.

Petrolatum: also known as mineral oil jelly, liquid Vaseline, paraffinum, liquidum and baby oil. Can cause photosensitivity and strips the natural oils from the skin causing chapping and dryness, also premature aging. Prevents elimination of toxins, can cause acne and other disorders. Derived from the refining process of crude oil.  Used industrially as a grease and lubricant.

Phenylalanine: Half of the artificial sweetener

Uses: Antifreeze and de-icing compounds; cosmetics; foods ‹ solvents for colors and flavors, emulsifier; household cleaning products; pharmaceuticals ‹ topical corticosteroids; OTC preparations; sterile lubricant jelly; electrocardiogram gels; injectables (intramuscular and intravenous); varnishes and synthetic resins.

Phosphates: found in soft drinks, interferes with calcium absorption.

a-Pinene:  Sensitizer that is damaging to the immune system. Found in bar and liquid soap, cologne, perfume, shaving cream, deodorants, dishwashing liquid, and air fresheners.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG): potentially carcinogenic petroleum ingredient that can alter and reduce the skin's natural moisture factor. This could increase the appearance of aging and leave you more vulnerable to bacteria.  Used in cleansers to dissolve oil and grease.  It adjusts the melting point and thickens products.  One alternative:  Planteren.

Propylene Glycol (PG) & Butylene Glycol:  Synonyms (1,2-Dihydroxypropane;
1,2-Propanediol; methyl glycol).  Causes irritation and contact dermatitis.  It is also found in shampoo, toothpaste, hair conditioner, beauty creams and lotions, cleansers, makeup, children’s personal care items and many other products used on a daily basis.  Gaseous hydrocarbons which in a liquid state act as "surfactants" (wetting agents and solvents).  They easily penetrate the skin and can weaken protein and cellular structure. Commonly used to make extracts from herbs.  PG is strong enough to remove barnacles from boats!  The EPA considers PG so toxic that it requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles and to dispose of any PG solutions by burying them in the ground.  Because PG penetrates the skin so quickly, the EPA warns against skin contact to prevent consequences such as brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities.  But there isn't even a warning label on products such as stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than is most industrial applications.  Alternatives:  water extracted herbs, Essential Oils, etc.

Uses: Antifreeze and de-icing compounds; cosmetics; foods ‹ solvents for colors and flavors, emulsifier; household cleaning products; pharmaceuticals ‹ topical corticosteroids; OTC preparations; sterile lubricant jelly; electrocardiogram gels; injectables (intramuscular and intravenous); varnishes and synthetic resins.

Propyl paraben: used to extend a products shelf life and inhibit microbial growth. Highly toxic.  Can cause rashes and other allergic reactions.

Saccharin: known to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Salicylic acid: Salicylate is well absorbed across normal and diseased skin. Salicylate markedly impairs gluconeogenesis and increases glucose utilization, resulting in hypoglycemia.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): Strong detergents and surfactants that can cause eye irritation, permanent damage to the eyes, especially in children, skin rashes, hair loss, flaking skin and mouth ulceration. When combined with other ingredients, can form nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic. Easily penetrates the skin and can lodge itself in the heart, lungs, liver and brain.  Found in hair color rinses, body rubs, hand lotions, after shave lotions, and fragrances. Used in car washes, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers and in 90% of personal care products that foam.  Animals exposed to SLS experience eye damage, depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation, and even death.  Young eyes may not develop properly if exposed to SLS because proteins are dissolved. SLS may also damage the skin's immune system by causing layers to separate and inflame.  Your body may retain the SLS for up to five days, during which time it may enter and maintain residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs, and the brain.  Alternative: Ammonium Cocoyl Isethionate.

Toxic by-product dioxane Synthetic alcohols (anything that contains the phrase benzyl-, butyl-, cetearyl-, glyceryl-, isopropyl-, myristyl propyl-, propylene-, or stearyl-) eg Isopropyl Palmitate, Diglyceryl Caprylate) have been shown to cause allergies and dermatitis.

Talc: Soft grey green mineral used in some personal hygiene and cosmetic products.  Inhaling talc dust is dangerous as it belongs to the same family as asbestos and is a recognized carcinogen. Widely accepted by medical experts as being one of the primary causes of ovarian cancer if used in the genital area.  Condoms and latex gloves were commonly "dry lubricated" with talc.

Tar: black, sticky substance containing many poisonous chemicals. Main cause of throat and lung cancer. Also causes yellowish brown stains on smoker's fingers, teeth and lung tissue and on the ceiling in rooms where people smoke heavily.

a-Terpinene: Causes asthma and central nervous system disorders. Found in cologne, perfume, soap, shaving cream, deodorant, and air fresheners.

Triclosan: synthetic "antibacterial" ingredient - with a chemical structure similar to Agent Orange!  Registered by EPA as a pesticide, giving it high scores as a risk to both human health and the environment. Classified as a chlorophenol, a class of chemicals suspected of causing cancer in humans.  It may produce dioxin in the manufacturing process, a powerful hormone-disrupting chemical with toxic effects measured in the parts per trillion. Hormone disruptors pose enormous long-term chronic health risks by interfering with the way hormones perform, such as changing genetic material, decreasing fertility and sexual function, and fostering birth defects. It can temporarily deactivate sensory nerve endings, so contact with it often causes little or no pain. Internally, it can lead to cold sweats, circulatory collapse, and convulsions. Stored in body fat, it can accumulate to toxic levels, damaging the liver, kidneys, and lungs, and can cause paralysis, suppression of immune function, brain hemorrhages, and heart problems.  Tufts University School of Medicine says that triclosan is capable of forcing the emergence of "super bugs" that it cannot kill.  Its widespread use in popular antibacterial cleansers, toothpastes and household products may have devastating implications for the future.  Alternative: BGSE