Essential oils - The case of dōTERRA

Reading time 10 minutes

A podcast was published in February 2024 The case of dōTERRA from the series Quarks Science Cops (episode 73) and raised a lot of eyebrows. What is the truth behind the content of this podcast?

Apart from the initially lurid presentation and presentation of the video linked above, it is unfortunately sometimes reported suggestively, e.g. using "allegedly" or "theoretically".
Interestingly, the source references attached below the video put this impression into perspective and even prove the effectiveness of the essential oils.

Unattractive and rather counterproductive: right at the beginning, the viewer is set up for an "uncovering of scientific nonsense" and the "clarification" by Maximilian Doeckel and Jonathan Focke.

Maximilian Doeckel is described as follows (quote):

"Max studied science journalism in Dortmund and has been an editor at WDR since 2017. As host of the Quarks Science Cops podcast, he specializes in investigating unscientific nonsense."

Jonathan Focke (quote):

"Science journalist and editor and reporter at Quarks since 2012. Host of the Quarks Science Cops podcast - and therefore always in action against unscientific nonsense."

In the following, I would like to address the topic objectively without exception and, in addition to the articles I have already written here, I will also provide links to other sources that will give the interested reader an insight into the background, also of a technical nature.

Essential oils vs. fragrance oils

Essential oils

Essential oils are substances obtained from parts of plants, usually by distillation or cold pressing, including the plant's immune system, which offers the plant protection against pests, fungi and bacteria, for example. They are formed in the secondary plant metabolism, while the primary metabolism is related to photosynthesis.
Conversely, this means that the active ingredients act as repellents, for example, or fulfill antifungal, antibacterial functions. They therefore have health-promoting potential and can be used in different ways.

Essential oils are non-greasy as they evaporate quickly (ether = volatile) and therefore do not leave any grease stains.

Carrier oils counteract the rapid volatilization of essential oils on the skin and also promote the transport of the oil molecules into the skin.

Olfactory

The fastest onset of action is achieved with olfactory (inhalation) application within approx. 8 seconds: the fragrance molecules of the essential oil reach the skin via the ethmoid bone (Ethmoid bone), more precisely the Lamina cribrosaa thin, horizontal plate of the sieve leg with many small openings (Foramina), through which the nerve fibers of the olfactory nerve (Fila olfactoria), directly from the nasal cavity into the brain.

Mr. Focke's information that the active ingredients are absorbed via the nasal mucosa when smelling is incorrect. This is only true if the oil is applied to the nasal mucosa.

Topical

Topical application, i.e. absorption of the active ingredients via the skin, and internal intake, i.e. absorption via the gastrointestinal tract, are also possible, and are therefore associated with the longest duration of onset of action.

Inwardly

Some oils have a so-called adaptive effect, they adapt to the current need: e.g. one and the same(!) oil acts against diarrhea (Diarrhea) has a regulating effect on the firming of the stool, while in the case of constipation (Constipation) to loosen things up.

Fragrance oils

Fragrance oils are made from synthetic fragrances. Apart from the smell, they bear no resemblance to essential oils. Due to their synthetic production, these oils may be harmful to health when inhaled, causing headaches, dizziness, discomfort, etc.

A critical synthetic fragrance is e.g. the Lilialwhich since 01.03.2022 may only be contained in products in concentrations < 0.3 %, belongs to the so-called CRM substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction) and is classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic to reproduction.

Fragrance oils must NOT be used in any other way!

While essential oils are atomized in diffusers using ultrasound and must NOT be heated in scented oil lamps because the already very volatile active ingredients would also burn, scented oils are added to small bowls filled with water and the mixture is heated using a tea light, which causes them to evaporate.

The disadvantage is that there is no legal regulation for the use of synthetic oils for room fragrancing that would ensure that there is no harm to health through inhalation of the synthetic fragrances, provided they are in lower doses than products with a higher active ingredient content, for which a declaration obligation is mandatory.

Declarations

With regard to the permissible declarations and description of the effects of essential oils, there are different guidelines for each country.

In Germany, for example, it is not permitted to make healing claims. The formulation that this or that oil eliminates headaches, for example, is a healing promise and may therefore only be made by doctors or alternative practitioners. However, even doctors do not make promises of healing, e.g. in relation to medication. They usually say "I'll prescribe you ..., take ... and then we'll see if it helps you".

On the other hand, the formulation that the oil alleviates complaints such as headaches or is helpful, makes you feel better, etc., is permitted. Therefore, in connection with essential oils, the idea of wellness is taken into account so as not to be confronted with legal restrictions.

The "vague" statements on the respective effects of essential oils, which users rightly complain about, are therefore due to the requirements of the legislator. Everyone is free to interpret for themselves what purpose these are intended to serve.

In the video, from around minute 40, the topic of tension headaches is mentioned with regard to the "extensive" and repeated application of peppermint oil at intervals of around "15 minutes", in connection with a study by Kiel University Hospital. It was confirmed that 10 percent peppermint oil had the same effectiveness as the administration of a total of 1,000 mg paracetamol.
Mr. Focke's presentation should be supplemented to the effect that multiple repeated applications, especially in the short period of time, are NOT advisable and that it is essential to make sure that proximity to the eyes must be AVOIDED!

Therefore, there is no list of indications on reputable websites, as is usually the case with medicines.

However, it is helpful to have an analysis of a batch of an oil that reveals all the ingredients, including their proportions.
As shown in this Contribution* dōTERRA labels its oil bottles with a batch number, which is printed on the bottle. website leads directly to gas chromatographic analysis with all ingredients.

Until recently, dōTERRA was the only supplier of essential oils to make these analyses publicly available. It was only later that YoungLiving also made data available on its website, after no information had been published until then, or only on explicit request.

Mr. Focke's comment at minute 50:40, "that you don't really know what's really in it'" is true for all those manufacturers who do NOT provide a batch analysis, not even on request*.

Mr. Doeckel's statement at minute 51:08 "So far, only the effect of peppermint oil on headaches and that essential oils have an influence on our mood and well-being has really been proven" is inaccurate, as numerous studies have shown.

Equally incorrect is his statement at minute 51:15 "that's why you won't find any promises about the products from the manufacturers", because it is not the above quote that is the reason for this, but the legal situation in Germany.

In the UK, for example, the use of essential oils is predominantly topical (via the skin), in France internal on prescription.

At minute 51:17, Mr. Doeckel rightly complains that promises of salvation are made by consultants. This is strictly forbidden, at least at dōTERRA!

Mr. Focke's statement at minute 51:44 "That there is certainly a very, very large placebo effect with aromatic oils" and at 51:53 "There is almost something ritualistic about it" is demonstrably incorrect.

Of course, anything and everything can be misused ritually / esoterically, but this does not change the chemical properties of essential oils and their proven effects on the human body.

Differences in quality

The quality of essential oils depends, among other things, on the type of soil, climatic conditions, time of harvest and method of distillation.

Essential oils are very volatile and may even have to be distilled immediately in the field because the "oil capsules" (such as those on the underside of peppermint leaves) would burst open at the slightest touch and release their oil.

On the other hand, essential oils are chemically unstable if they are distilled under too high a pressure and / or too high a temperature. If this is the case, the active ingredients change and may even be completely lost. Nevertheless, the odor remains. An odor sample therefore reveals nothing about the active ingredient content of the oil.

Some manufacturers ignore this fact out of profit considerations: they distil at a higher pressure and increased temperature in order to generate a larger quantity of oil in a shorter time.
Such oils can only be distinguished by means of gas chromatography, as the content of each active ingredient is quantified and thus recognizable.

A highly effective oil must inevitably be more expensive than an oil with a lower active ingredient content.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy deals with the treatment of illnesses and mood disorders. It is part of phytotherapy, or herbal medicine.

How Paracelsus said "The dose makes the poison." also applies here: The handling of any kind of effective components from the plant kingdom needs to be done with understanding and care. Professional background knowledge, which is taught in appropriate courses of study, should be the basis for responsible handling of essential oils.

It is up to the individual to decide whether to use a knife to peel an apple or to murder a person. Although this decision does not require a professional qualification to use a knife, it is left to the responsibility of the person making it.

Expert knowledge is not replaced by experience, but it is supplemented. While word of mouth recommends the best pizzeria around the corner, this happens in the same way with regard to the effect of essential oils. E.g. "I burnt myself really badly on the baking tray yesterday. I immediately put lavender on it and didn't even get a blister, just slightly reddened!"

It is always the responsibility of the consultant, alternative practitioner or doctor to ensure that their statements are accurate and not exaggerated or understated. If someone were to tell the person seeking help "this will help you one hundred percent." the usefulness of healthy skepticism is certainly not to be dismissed out of hand.

In Germany, the "official" therapeutic use of essential oils is only permitted in palliative medicine. The meaning of this legislation is open to debate.

If, for example, a child is kept in isolation in hospital for almost a year due to the risk of infection because the pathogen does not respond to any antibiotics, but an aromatherapist was able to do just that within less than a week using essential oils, then the obvious question arises as to whether the clinic's treatment does not constitute bodily harm and whether the legislator could have aided and abetted this on the basis of its obstructive legislation ...

Mr. Focke's statement at minute 48:30 "we have not found a single study that refers to oregano in the human body ... " is demonstrably incorrect, as is shown in the following paragraph via the study link.

p.s. In Kiel a Laboratory the "Aromatogram" service. Similar to an antibiogram for determining antibiotics that are effective or resistant to a pathogen (e.g. oregano against the MRSA germ, study in vivo [in the human body] from 08.2021), the aromatogram allows the determination of essential oils that are effective against the pathogen under discussion.

Studies

In connection with essential oils, studies are constantly being published on relevant websites, such as Pubmed or Elsevier published.

From this pool, a Telegram channel fed. It should be noted that the German summaries are sometimes not one hundred percent accurate and therefore the original study should be read to get a complete picture.

It is also recommended to visit the references mentioned under the respective study as well as the thematically similar studies listed via the respective links if you want to examine several aspects of the topic.

Types of studies

In all studies, a distinction must be made as to the stage at which they took place:

in vitro

means that the active ingredients are tested in a test tube.

in vivo

stands for the investigation of active substances on living organisms, which can be animals or humans.

Preclinical study

The influence of active ingredients on the metabolism, mode of action, dosage and tolerability, as well as toxicological properties of the essential oil are investigated experimentally.

Phase I study

The exact dosage is determined with a small group of healthy volunteers by observing active substance concentrations in blood and urine, as well as degradation and excretion processes.
In the case of diseases for which no effective therapy yet exists, only such patients are included.

Phase II study

In this study phase, patients suffering from the respective disease are enrolled in order to determine an effective dosage and its optimization.

Phase III study

It is used to compare a known therapeutic agent with the new one. Here, one group is treated with a placebo and the other with the new active substance.

Phase IV study

In this final phase of the study, patients who do not meet the requirements for Phase III are now also treated, e.g. children or people suffering from multiple diseases.

EFSA

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has NO entries relating to essential oils in its repertoire.

In this respect, Mr. Focke's comment from minute 46 irrelevant with regard to the lack of authorization by EFSA for the sale of essential oils in connection with effects on the immune system, as essential oils are generally NOT regulated by EFSA, regardless of the context.

Evidence

From around minute 34, Mr. Focke considers the evidence for the effectiveness of essential oils in reducing anxiety or stress to be low.

As already mentioned above, there are a number of studies on the medical effectiveness of essential oils, including with regard to Fear and stresswhich prove the same beyond doubt.

If you put some effort into objective research, you will find sufficient evidence of the effectiveness of the oils in question in relation to specific clinical pictures on the aforementioned study platforms.

In every study, however, care must be taken to ensure that there are no financial dependencies on the part of those involved in the study in order to largely rule out conflicts of interest with regard to the study results!

Frankincense - cell effectiveness

At around minute 43, frankincense oil is presented by a consultant as a cell regenerator. Mr. Focke and Mr. Doeckel relativize this by saying that there is too little relevance to the study.

Frankincense is known in English as "Frankincense" or in Latin as "Boswellia".

If you enter the link with the search for "Frankincense cell repair", you will find no less than 23 studies, conducted from 04.2009 to 01.2025, which deal with and prove the corresponding effects of frankincense oil.

Strengthen the immune system

From around 45:30, OnGuard is presented by a consultant as strengthening the immune system.

At the time of the plague, many wealthy plague victims were robbed on the streets. What was strange was that while many people around them all fell ill with the plague, they seemed to remain healthy.
The king then put out a bounty to catch the perpetrators.
It was quite a surprise when the robbers behind their long-beaked masks all turned out to be pharmacists.
They had stuffed herbs into their beaks, through which they drew in the air they breathed. The herbs had an antibacterial effect and thus protected them from the dreaded plague.

The reason for the "strengthening" of the immune system was nothing other than the germ-killing effect of the herbs.

Everyone is probably familiar with the use of clove in dentistry as an antibacterial agent that tastes rather unpleasant. In addition to clove oil, the OnGuard mixture also contains the oils of cinnamon bark, orange peel, eucalyptus and rosemary, which result in the effect described above.

Young Living - dōTERRA

From around minute 13, YoungLiving, the founder Gary Younghis life and work. Due to the truly unpleasant aspects of this history and development, the Emily Wright She left her management position there in 2007. In 2008, she founded dōTERRA together with six other employees.

dōTERRA's business model is primarily characterized by the fact that the philosophy "everyone on all sides of the bottle should do well" enables everyone involved to make a good living, starting with the farmers, through production and research, to everyone involved in distribution.

The farmers are trained to achieve the best possible harvest and are also supported and paid in their livelihoods to enable them to live comfortably even before the harvest. In this way, there is no risk for the farmers that the oils may fetch a lower price than initially agreed. This uncertainty is borne by dōTERRA. dōTERRA is also involved in social development projects and subsidizes each consultant above a certain rank with up to USD 10,000 if they are involved in a social project.

An oil costs one and the same price for every registered customer, regardless of the level of the hierarchy at which it is purchased. There is no need for the consultant to keep stock, write invoices, pack, ship, monitor incoming payments, etc., because dōTERRA takes care of all this.

Mr. Doeckel's objection at minute 1:00:00, "you can of course still consider, if you want to buy essential oils, whether you want to buy them from a company that relies on multi-level marketing or network marketing" ... "Personally, I'm not a fan of ... because in many cases, very few people end up earning money with it and a lot more people don't earn any money at all ..." may apply to some distribution companies that are organized in this way, but demonstrably not to dōTERRA.

Where you buy essential oils should be determined by the quality of the oil and the advice you receive. However, it is up to the customer to find this out.
Anyone who appreciates the good old corner store and the advice it offers on almost all aspects of life will prefer to spend a little more than someone who is on the hunt for the cheapest supplier for a product via the Internet, but is prepared to forego any advice in return.

Sources

On a positive note, the sources provided in the podcast deal with the effects of essential oils from both a medical and marketing perspective. Whether the latter intention, namely to use fragrances to manipulate people into maximizing profits as intended by the manufacturers, is ethically justifiable remains to be seen.

Epilogue

This morning we read the verse of the day Philippians 4:8which concludes this topic:

 "Moreover, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is pleasing, whatever is any virtue or anything praiseworthy, be careful about that!„
_{- Translation according to Schlachter -}

Media that would take this verse as their motto would have little chance of surviving economically. It is a completely different story for those who spread sensationalist and sensationalist news and catastrophes, who use understatements or exaggerations, depending on the target, and are very popular.

Paul, who was a great example to the Philippians according to God's will, reminds them to always be an example themselves according to God's will, to think, speak and act differently from people who do not follow God. Or: to be pleasantly different.