Mainstream Aromatherapy

Neuragen® is a product I recently saw an add for in a magazine.  The ad describes the product as being a homeopathic, but further investigation shows that it’s actually an aromatherapy product that contains mainly essential oils.  Take a look at the label (I highlighted the part listing the active essential oil ingredients):

Note – the company has this label available to view on their website.

This is a product that is used by people suffering from neuralgia, especially patients with diabetes.  It is recommended by many doctors and has scientific studies to back up the claims.   Because it has a prescription medication looking label, and is marketed as a medical product, it’s taken seriously by those in the field of traditional medicine. Yet an aroma-massage performed by an aromatherapist using the exact same essential oils would be considered quackery by many allopathics.  

I set out on an internet hunt to find some other aromatherapy products masquerading as mainstream medicine.

Vicks Vapo Rub.  This product is likely everyone’s first experience with aromatherapy medicine.  As an aromatherapist, however, I do not recommend this product for young children.  Read more about that here.

Tiger Balm.   Love this stuff.  I just wish it didn’t use a petroleum base.  I’ve been trying (with little success) to emulate the blend of oils and put it in a beeswax base.  Of course, I would never market and sell such a product since it is copyright infringement, but it would only be for my own personal use.

Head On.  Apply directly to forehead! Apply directly to forehead!  Apply directly to forehead! (No link because their website is currently under construction.)This is another one that masquerades as a “homeopathic”.  Although it does contain some homeopathic remedies, it also contains menthol (that is what produces the tingle).  Menthol/peppermint is contraindicated in homeopathic medicine, and therefore the remedies in the product are essential useless; it’s the menthol that is working to “cure” the headache.

Johnson’s Sleep Care Baby Products.  Sigh.  This one actually makes me angry.  Please look at the ingredients.  It claims to use  “a unique blend of patent pending essences that has been tested and proven to have relaxing properties.”  First of all, you cannot patent lavender and chamomile!  Second of all, the product does not even contain essential oils, it contains fragrance.  Fragrance oils have no medicinal properties.  Zip.  Zilch.  If these products help your child fall asleep faster and sleep longer, it is likely more to do with the bath/massage/bed routine, rather than the fake lavender smell.  It could be scented with bananas and apples and still have the same effect.

Go read the labels of everything in your medicine cabinet.  If there are any ingredients you think may sound like an essential oil, or anything your aren’t sure about, post it here and I’ll find out for you.