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Author: Viv Hinks
PII: S2210-8033(14)00046-3DOI: http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.hermed.2014.05.002Reference: HERMED 81
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Please cite this article as: Hinks V, Journal of Herbal Medicine (2014),http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2014.05.002
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Book Review
Essential Oil Safety, A Guide for Health Care Professionals. R. Tisserand and R. Young. 2nd Edition Churchill Livingstone (2014) 780 pp Hardback: Price;£59.99
This text is for those serious aromatherapists and healthcare professionals wishing to use essential oils in their clinical practice. It is a revised and expanded edition, the first edition being published in 1995(R. Tisserand and T. Balacs), which, at the time provided an innovative and fresh approach to information on essential oils and aromatherapy practice. It has become a cardinal text in aromatherapy education, one of the few text books on this topic based on evidence and scientific principles, unlike many aromatherapy books based on anecdotal and less reliable information. This is a welcome new edition, which includes updated guidelines, use restrictions and new data relating to essential oils. In response to reader feedback on the earlier edition, essential oil profiles and constituent profiles have been expanded and new material has been added, to include 400 essential oil profiles, compared to 95 in the original edition.
For each of the profiled essential oils there is a complete analysis of component constituents with clear classification of safety aspects, hazards, risks and recommended dosage. Within each of these profiles there is a useful ‘safety summary’ which provides an ‘at a glance’ hazard indicator for essential oil users. Information is provided relating to systemic and organ specific effects. The information is fully referenced. This book provides accurate safety information for the global market involved in the purchase of essential oils including;- cosmetics, the flavour industry, pharmaceuticals, cleaning products, hair and skin care products, aromatherapy, herbal and therapeutics, and the fragrance industry.
The introduction identifies the large amount of misleading information in print and online regarding essential oils. It is a balanced discussion recognising both the absence of dialogue around potentially dangerous essential oils and the alternative scenario where certain oils are inaccurately purported to be hazardous. The introduction sets the tone for the book concerning purity and accuracy of constituents, and the importance of quality particularly in therapeutic applications. It tackles concerns around erroneous conclusions drawn from research papers that are inaccurate or ambiguous and considers the inevitable problems of extremely high dosage administered to mice and rats and how that translates when discussing the use of essential oils in humans.
Chapter 2 covers essential oil composition giving a brief overview of essential oil structure and chemistry. The reader is introduced to how essential oils are analysed and how they can potentially be adulterated. This chapter is like a brief revision of essential oil data leading into Chapter 3 which gives detailed discussion on toxicity. Adverse effects and resulting possible tissue damage are covered along with contributory factors. Useful terminology and how to estimate the margin for safety is clearly presented. The concepts of dermal, oral and inhalation toxicity provide insights into practical aspects of risk assessment, minimising risk, packaging and labelling. Tisserand and Young provide a tabled format to compare acceptable daily limits (ADL) and tolerable daily limits (TDL).
Chapter 4 introduces the reader to Kinetics and dosing. This chapter takes us through the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of essential oil constituents. The role of
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bioavailability and differing routes of administration are co-ordinated and supported by numerous research papers. Relevant user information is helpfully tabled, including - percentage absorption over a 24hour period, maximum dermal absorption, age-related concentration recommendations, calculating essential oil concentrations, daily oral doses and excretion of constituents. The chapter also incorporates an extensive table on the effects on essential oils and constituents that effect cytochrome P450 isozyme.
The following 7 chapters overview body systems and relevant essential oil reactions and safety. These comprise Chapter 5 the Skin, adverse skin reactions, irritation, sensitisation, photosensitisation, photo-carcinogenesis, managing skin reactions and regulation. As the traditional form of aromatherapy practiced in the UK uses essential oils applied dermally, often in corporation with a massage this chapter is ‘a must’ for aromatherapy practitioners. The authors have also commented and recommended on IFRA guidelines concerning skin allergenic constituents and essential oils. Chapter 6 presents the respiratory system, volatile organic compounds, adverse effects of airborne substances, respiratory diseases, olfactory hypersensitivity, and pulmonary toxicity. Health professionals using essential oils frequently prepare inhalations of essential oils and this chapter is indispensable reading.
Subsequent chapters continue in the same structure. Chapter 7 –the cardiovascular system, chapter 8-the urinary system, chapter 9- the digestive system, chapter 10- the nervous system, chapter 11 the reproductive system. Although necessary for anyone using essential oils these chapters may have varied relevance to different practitioners depending on their area of work, (for example midwives who use aromatherapy) Each chapter concludes in a useful summary very clearly providing key safety points and cautionary advice, and ‘notes’ which give enhanced information on specific points that require further explanation. Chapter 12 considers cancer and the immune system, identifying carcinogenic essential oil constituents and providing a table of constituents for which carcinogenic activity has been reported. Risk factors, defence mechanisms and the immune system are discussed along with possible adverse effects of essential oils. Aromatherapy and essential oil preparations are now frequently used with oncology patients and in hospices, Chapter 12 is indispensible reading for practitioners working in these areas.
Chapter 13 provides the reader with the largest amount of material as a very comprehensive set of 400 essential oil profiles. These are organised alphabetically by the common plant name, rather than by species name, helpful if looking up an oil in a hurry or for a student who may still be unfamiliar with botanical names. Each essential oil profile provides key constituents, a safety summary and specialised safety advice from the authors, organ specific and systemic effects and a final comment. Chapter 14 continues with constituent profiles, providing a table on restricted constituents, and an explanation on isomers. Each constituent profile provides the source (which essential oils in which it is present) followed by the type of reaction for which the constituent is known, for example an adverse skin reaction or inhalation toxicity. Where a constituent has several known toxic effects these are supported by relevant referenced papers. Regulatory guidelines and specialised safety advice from the authors are included with a clear safety summary.
Chapter 15 covers general safety guidelines, first aid, signs and symptoms, patient and practitioner safety, packaging, storage and waste disposal. The book concludes with several extensive appendices and wide ranging references, an excellent glossary and thorough list of abbreviations.
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Nearly 20 years after the first edition of this book was published this remains an important text for everyone concerned with essential oils and their safety. The authority of the authors is indisputable, and the accuracy of information is as near perfect as is possible. Importantly it is a very readable book, and has rich discussion which brings new information to each topic. The book is a prerequisite for all students on relevant courses and health professionals working with essential oils.
Viv Hinks Bsc (Hons) MA MIFPA
E-mail address: [email protected]
Viviane Hinks is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing. She has been a practising aromatherapist for 30 years and is an Aromatherapy lecturer and international advisor in aromatherapy education.
