[A revisit to an archived blog from March 14. 2012]
Health Alert: Avoiding Synthetic Fragrances
This was the headline in a Consumer Reports newsletter in my mailbox years ago. Now, I have been avoiding synthetic fragrances for decades. But… for those who don’t know:
Consumer Reports issued a report criticizing the use of synthetic fragrances in the dryer. “Consumer Reports environmental experts say you should get nervous about smells that won’t quit, especially when you don’t know what you’re smelling. The product’s label just says “perfume dispersant, perfume and dyes.” The manufacturer, Procter & Gamble, told Consumer Reports that perfume ingredients are “proprietary information,” but it says that the chemicals they use are at safe levels.” I am sure we all find that reassuring.
The good news is that it is possible to add fragrance to your laundry, and know exactly what you are using!
This is what I do. (Years ago a serious case of contact dermatitis landed me in the ER. I was taught there to *never* use a “dryer sheet” to soften cloths, to buy and use only the “FREE” detergents – unscented with no color – and to put some white vinegar in the fabric softener cup of my Washing Machine. Two washing machines later, I’m still following that advice.)
If I’m washing clothes that may have a bit of musty mold scent… a generous splash of Palma Rosa or Eucalyptus citrodora (Lemon Eucalyptus) goes into the wash water with the detergent. Anti fungal oils will freshen towels that perhaps sat, damp, too long. If clothes are grease stained, some Orange essential oil with the detergent will remove any greasy aroma. (Be aware though, that Orange Oil CAN discolor white clothes.) LilBit slept too long on my quilt? Fresh Aire synergy does a GREAT job at removing the scent of wet dog.
Other things that I do. (For various reasons I can’t dry my clothes on a clothes line. Cold water washing and low heat drying is as “green” as I can be.) There is NOTHING like the smell of sheets and pillowcases, blown dry on a line in the sun and freshly made up on your bed.
Lacking that option… I have two or three old washcloths (rags!) that sit on the dryer. When a load of clothes I want to subtly scent goes in the dryer, a few drops of essential oil or blend go on a rag, and it gets tossed in with the wet clothes. Normally I am aiming at a VERY faint aroma, and use only a few drops of EO. More essential oil, obviously, makes the scent of the clean and dried clothes a bit stronger.
Fresh Aire, again, for towels, and a lot of my clothes. Linens? Lavender, or, if I am feeling decadent and self indulgent..a drop of Rose. A man’s laundry could be scented with Cedarwood or Sandalwood.
Asthma and Aromatherapy
Since I need something to direct folks to for the answer to a “frequently asked question” I found an article I wrote over a decade ago and thought it should be shared.
SAFETY FIRST:
Please be aware that there is NO WAY to predict what oils can or will trigger an attack in an individual. Quite obviously, if you know you are allergic to, let’s say pine and spruce trees, then avoid the use of the various conifer (needle) oils. If most flowers bring on an attack, avoid the floral oils, and so on.
Any oil you intend to try should first be “tested.” Put a drop of the essential oil on a tissue or cotton ball and hold it at arms length from the sufferer. If it seems well tolerated, gradually bring it closer until the tissue or cotton ball is right under the nose. If it can be inhaled with no negative effects it is safe to try.
Do not try testing more than two essential oils per day, separated by several hours. (There are some who think I’m overly cautious advising this approach, but I’d much rather you stay safe than advance too quickly.)
WARNING:
Please don’t use any of the essential oils in a steam inhalation during an asthma attack. The use of steam, I’m told, almost always worsens the attack.
PREVENTION
There are two oils that are said to have ‘antihistamine like’ properties and are said to prevent asthma attacks.
BLUE TANSY OIL (tanecetum anuum) There are authorities who state that Blue Tansy oil can halt an asthma attack in its tracks (Jeanne Rose is one of them)…and I have clients who say that diffusing a bit of this oil in an aromalamp each morning has allowed them to cut way down on allergy medications. Blue Tansy may prove useful both as an antihistamine to help prevent attacks, and as a treatment during an attack.(Jeanne Rose writes that she personally will put a drop of Blue Tansy on a sugar cube and take it internally to ease an Asthma attack. Our clients feedback indicates that inhalation is just as effective. The choice is up to you, but it is certainly the first essential oil I would reach for.
AMNI VISNAGA (khella) oil is supposed to have a similar effect, however it’s only fair to say that most people enjoy the scent of blue tansy (sweet and apple scented) and find the scent of ammi reminiscent of last week’s coffee grounds. The drug Intal (cromolyn sodium) has its origins from ammi visnaga. Khella Oil must be used (by inhalation) on a daily basis, not just when an attack threatens.
TREATING THE SYMPTOMS:
One of my French mentors wrote, years ago: “Asthma is a tricky thing, different circumstances can trigger attacks in different people, so caution is important here. A large number of Essential Oils have(or are reputed to have) effects on the respiratory system, which isn’t very surprising considering that they are breathed in and that scents are often very pleasant things. A large number will also carry warnings that they may trigger an asthmatic attack. Also, not a surprise when you consider things.” It is because of the oils powerful effects on the respiratory tract that well tolerated essential oils can bring swift relief to Asthma sufferers.
ESSENTIAL OILS THAT HAVE PROVEN HELPFUL FOR SOME ASTHMA VICTIMS:
The following oils are listed in order by both their ability to be tolerated without causing a reaction, and their effectiveness.
Blue Tansy (tanecetuum anuum) Jeanne Rose states that Blue Tansy is a natural source of theophylline, a bronchiodilator,which would explain its being recommended for asthma crisises. Many sources write of the links between childhood asthma and adult eczema and other dermatitis conditions. Although we do not recommend internal usage, she says she personally uses one drop of this oil on a sugar cube for bring her asthma attack to a halt. Kurt Schaubelt extolls this magnificent deep indigo oil for its antihistamine/anti-allergen properties. He suggests using it (applied to the solar plexus) in blends for asthma, or diffusing it in blends for emphasema…blending Pine, Cypress and just a touch of this lovely Tansy. (Obviously it is first necessary to test all the oils, as described above, before blending!)
Hyssop montana/canescens (ex decumbens) My French mentor writes that in his experience this particular Hyssop (and no others!) is the safest essential oil to use with Asthma sufferers. It appears that the pino-camphone content in this hyssop chemotype is very low so I believe there is no toxicity, compared with the other hyssop types. He says he has had years of experience with it, mainly with diffusers and really love the oil! Best results with asthma patients, little children and allergic people. He says it is the first oil he will reach for in cases of Asthma. This hyssop ssp montana/canescens (ex decumbens) is only found in the Haute Provence, France. Blue Tansy and this Hyssop are the first two essential oils I would test.
Litsea Cubeba. Litsea, sometimes called May Chang, has a clear lemony scent that also has bronchio-dilator and antispasmodic effects. It is normally well tolerated, but should be tested. It also blends aromatically well with amni visnaga (see above) and makes inhalation of the Khella Oil a lot more palatable. If I were to try daily inhalation of Amni Visnaga, I would most definitely blend it with the Litsea, both for the antispasmodic effect, but, more important, because the blend is amazingly pleasant from an aromatic standpoint.
Cypress Oil Cupressus sempervirens All of the conifers may help with respiratory problems. Cypress, in addition, is an antispasmodic which can help relieve bronchial spasms. However, any of the “Evergreen” oils can cause an allergic reaction to many people, so please be very sure to test this with your asthma patient. (See test method above.)
FRAGONIA(tm) Our experience is that is is a very useful oil for inhalation with any sort of lower respiratory issue, especially for asthma. We know of people who have been able to forego use of their daily Rx inhalers by the use of a Fragonia Inhaler on a daily basis. As with any other natural remedy, the cautions listed above still apply. One oil that has proven VERY helpful by regular use in lessening the frequency and severity of Asthma outbreaks is Australian FRAGONIA essential oil. We have seen very successful results by the use of this amazing oil, which was not even on my horizon when this original article was written. Yes, you should test with your Asthma sufferer, all the warnings above still apply, but it is an amazing addition to the arsenal of respiratory essential oils.
Essential Oils: Try them in this order: Hyssop, Cypress, Lavender, Litsea cubeba, Petitgrain (or Mandarin) for stress and anxiety relief.
ASTHMA BLEND for inhalation use:
One drop of each on a cotton ball to smell at will whenever breathing feels constricted.
Try the combination and if the effect is positive, mix as follows:
In a small colored glass bottle (amber or cobalt) mix equal parts of the three oils. (1 15 ml (1/2 ounce) bottle will hold one measuring teaspoon of each oil.)