I have had several people ask if I have tried doTERRA's line of essential oils, and besides that they are a multi level marketing company, here are my issues with them:The claims they make are not even possible, and the "Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade®" claim is in itself misleading. The reason there is an ® at the end of that phrase is because there is no such thing as a certification for pure therapeutic grade. It is possible to have oils tested in a lab to see if they have been adulterated, but a reputable seller would have the gas chromatography analysis available to customers.
® means "registered trademark," which means they invented and own the term "certified pure therapeutic grade®" and are using their trademarked phrase in a way to mislead consumers. It also reserves the phrase to be something only THEY are legally allowed to use. If no other essential oil supplier is allowed to use this phrase, even if their oils are 100% purely distilled from organic plants from a biodynamic farm with lab testing to prove it, they still will not be allowed to say they are also "CPTG" because A. There is no way to actually get this certification B. It is simply a trademarked phrase owned by a corporate business.
Many distilleries have organic oils available, and doTERRA does not seem to carry any organic oils, a standard that actually exists in the industry. This makes me doubt further that they actually have the best sources for their essential oils. They do not even list the country of origin or botanical name of the oil which is info you want to make sure is always available on essential oils.
Young Living oils encourage their customers to use essential oils recklessly and wastefully; ingesting them (which is ridiculous because essential oils are specifically the smallest, most volatile compounds of the plant that can be inhaled), applying even the irritating ones to skin without dilution, and they make medical claims that are not even remotely true. But the FDA disclaimer at the bottom means that they do not need any evidence to support their claims. Essential oils do have some therapeutic benefits if they are used correctly and for the appropriate applications, but chugging questionably sourced frankincense is not going to cure cancer.
Young Living also claims to oversee the entire production of the oils they sell, but this is not possible in Iowa. There are few essential oils besides lavender, citrus, and mint that are grown and distilled in the United States. There are also small boutique distilleries that specialize in a handful of plants that they grow or wild harvest in their local region (and no; clove, lemon, and rosewood trees do not grow in Iowa). The rest is imported.
If you want to buy essential oils, the ones available at health food stores, such as Auracacia, Windmere etc. are fine and they are more reasonably priced than MLM distributers. I am not fully aware of the sustainability practices of all the commercial brands but I do know what shady claims to look out for, and when I see an outright lie.
I've read about Young Life oils but not doTerra....I'm glad you wrote about them!
ReplyDeleteI definitely knew when I got the oil samples from your shop that they were NOT synthetic whatsoever. Hopefully people will realize those other companies aren't up to any good
Pyramid scheme is defined as a scheme where money is put in and funneled to the top. No produut to support it.
DeleteThe claims are backed with scientific research. The team has over 120 years experience collectively.
Registerd trademark? Really? That comment is degrading to the masses.
Organic, you are right! They don't use that word. It is only a term used in the US and not recognized in the multitude of other countries they source their product from. The oils are better than organic (which now 'organic' allows some of the most deadly pesticides to be used on the products.)
Pricing - I have bought other oils from other companies (at wholesale) in 10 ml bottles for the same or more than the wholesale pricing of doTerra's oils.
Ranting is one thing, knowledge is another. Peace
From one Anonymous to another: You stated, "It (organic) is only a term used in the US." Google Neal's Yard Remedies.
Delete"....better than organic." A slogan straight from the DoTERRA website....
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELDEV3004446
Deletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_certification
And who knows how many of sellers are just like that but we have no proof of it.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about this! I remember someone telling me about young living oils and as soon as I saw the info on being a product consultant, I knew it was a scheme just like Amway and etc.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that they don't sell organic essential oils and give shallow details shows that their company isn't up to par. On top of that...$28 for 15ml of Basil essential oil is insane especially if it's not organic.
I am an entrepreneur and run a successful business in the beauty industry. I was recently introduced to essential oils. I am doing my research because I have found from past experience there are many perspectives on any given subject and most importantly when giving an opinion, to back it us with reference and data. Do the homework and find out the truth about oils, direct sales, and the integrity of your sources. May your words have power. Sincerely, Arlene Young
ReplyDeleteHi Jill,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Trey Blanks and I found this page while searching through various essential oil
links. I distill natural oils and I also make my own oil paints. I really like your work and also
the other beetlejuice stuff. I saw that movie at the theatre when I was 17. I live in Tennessee.I am 41 years old. treyblanks@mail.com
My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!
ReplyDeletedo pheromones work
I found your blog after ordering something from your Etsy account and I'm so very excited to try them! I'm a consumer, crafter and creator of natural and pure products and I'm curious which E.O's you DO you. I have been using Young Livings oils for years now, and have truly loved them. I don't like the marketing, or the business model, but their oils are truly wonderful and have been my families first aid kit for everything. We heal wounds, illness and emotional issues with them by ingesting, applying and diffusing them. Of course, we've spent a fortune on them, but I wasn't aware that there were any other such 'pure' brands out there. I am usually not one to buy from large corporations or companies (thus why I shop primarily on sites like Etsy) so perhaps you could enlighten me with your Essential oil secrets. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteDon't you realize doterra oils are FDA approved. So the grade is not misleading, ma'am.
ReplyDeleteEssential oils are not drugs. They don't have FDA approval, and specific health claims can't be made about them. Plus, we know that the FDA approval means nothing when it comes to quality of product and safety. doTerra calling themselves the only "Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade" is true. This is because they have trade marked the phrase. This in itself is very misleading and now claiming they are FDA approved is a lie. How can one trust a company that purposely misleads and their distributor gives false claims?
DeleteWhere on earth did you get the idea in your head any essential oil is FDA approved for any application? Do you realize for FDA approval, it is for an individual product for a specific application? And you just factually said, all Doterra's oils are all FDA approved? For what?every single little claim for every single little oil? Some of their claims have nothing to do with their oils but from the sources the oil is attained from...
DeleteYou have a lot of opinion, little self research, and are very uniformed and unprofessional. The moment I read you were denegrating a company (that I too am not impressed with either by the way, but I would never say something against them, especially the word you used) it let me know you are unprofessional and don't know what you are talking about. I encourage everyone to do their own research and not believe the "stated as fact" opinion of others.
ReplyDeleteYOu're one of those sad ones too, arent you? Bought the whole bit, can't make a cent, and must live with your pathetic self by tearing down the truth. Sort of sadly transparent though, isn't it?
DeleteI would have to agree with you Rachel- I have spent the last three months doing research on 10 companies.....the research that I came up with.....independent labs...etc DoTerra came out #1 for purity and complete lack of added chemicals etc. Young living was 2nd, and others had a few discrepancies etc. The Now brand that the article mentioned had a lot of junk in the oils....not as bad as some, but still not pure....Aure Cacia was much better than NOW brand. This information is public, you can do a google search on independent labs etc. I did research for the purpose of purity. I use all the brands mentioned and I wanted to verify if what I use was safe for my family and I. I have decided after doing my research that I am going to purchase the DoTerra brand moving forward. Regardless if they are a MLM company and the costs are a bit higher etc. You get what you pay for. The reps for the company are helpful. I think this article above was written in bias for the sole purpose of marketing it's own company.
DeleteHi (AnonymousOctober 22, 2015 at 11:24 AM) it is very interesting that you have done research on doterra. Do you have any certification of what you have found as I can't find anything and I actually don't have any way to test doterra's oils.
DeleteThank you so much.
Hi (AnonymousOctober 22, 2015 at 11:24 AM) it is very interesting that you have done research on doterra. Do you have any certification of what you have found as I can't find anything and I actually don't have any way to test doterra's oils.
DeleteThank you so much.
Do you know what a pyramid scheme is? Might want to look into that. Network marketing is a legitimate business model, and very successful one with the right product. Its the equivalent to word of mouth. The great thing about it, if it is not marketing a legitimate product, it will not last. Nobody is forced into buying a network marketing product. Why waste your time thinking about it? Move on. Complain about our Government. Now that's a scheme that needs some attention!
ReplyDeleteNetwork Marketing, Direct Selling, Party Plan companies and MLM's - are all the perfect home business choice for many millions of people and they are legitimate, honest, hard working people who choose to set their own hours, determine their own futures and if you'd do some research you'd see how many moms are out there contributing to their family income AND have the luxury of staying home with their kids because of it. Do you consider Avon's prices too high? They have a huge mark up too, they just sell a less expensive product line in general, but their markup is still sizable and they make a fortune as a company- what's wrong with that? Avon is one of the oldest most profitable network marketing companies around - I'd hold your tongue if I were you until you've done your homework. Get your facts straight and stop bashing a industry that supports the US/foreign economy in a big way. The only way to be 100% certain about the quality and purity AND chemical constituent percentages of your oils is to do your own personal testing -good luck with that- unless you own or have access to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry testing. Aside from that you have to trust some company at some point and of course continue to use your intuition, experience and wisdom to make the best choice you can. You're profile says you hope to "inspire; well, you failed on this one. Do your homework.
ReplyDeleteA lot of these comments that are pro-network marketing, direct selling and/or doTERRA are doing so anonymously. I won't hide behind that moniker, and I'm about to call you out ...
ReplyDeleteMy name is Chris. I live in Utah. I, like yourself, was a skeptic about doTERRA, and, quite frankly, "snake oils" in general. I mean, how can a drop of lavender oil POSSIBLY help someone fall asleep at night? Or how can a proprietary blend of EOs possibly help my ADHD daughter calm down during a particularly energized behavior?
Except they do. I don't know all the chemistry behind the oils, nor do I need to. I see the effect they have on my daughter. I understand just enough of the science behind how EOs can get into the blood stream and break through the blood/brain barrier to be effective ...
You state that doTERRA's claims "aren't even possible," yet you never once state what those claims are. Care to pontificate? Or are you just spouting off the "seasoned EO guru" mantras, and would claim to know more than an entire medical board whose reputation is above questioning? Do you question the work of Dr. Robert Pappas? Because he is squarely in the forefront of EO chemistry and science, and he supports doTERRA firmly. Don't believe me? I shook his hand and held a wonderful conversation with him recently. I've listened to him speak on how EOs function--the chemistry behind them. My point is this: well-respected scientists, who have access to GC/MS hardware,and independently test doTERRA's oils, have stated that they are indeed as pure as they claim. You ... with your lovely little blog, I'm pretty sure don't have access to GC/MS machines, do you? If not, you are in no position to speak to their value,their quality, or their purity. You want others to do their own research, yet you do none of your own--just spout opinion.
I'm sure your oils are great. That's fantastic. However, I've been using these oils for well over a year. The health benefits they provide far out-weigh whatever cost you feel is too high. And I respectfully disagree that they are, but that's my opinion. For someone who's had nothing but back pain and tension headaches for the last 20 years, these oils are a God-send. I don't have to go to the doctor every few weeks for a new Lortab scrip; I use the oils to relieve the pain and tension. My 6 year old daughter was on a 27mg dose of Concerta. AT THE AGE OF 6. That's ridiculous. Ohhh ... but here comes that "pyramid scheme" company, and guess what? Her 27mg dose is down to 9mg (we cut her 18mg dose in half), and we use EOs on her. SHe does better now than she EVER has on drugs. And there are no long-term side effects like there are using a meth-based drug to help her sit and focus in class. At home, she can be as wild as she wants (though we find things to help her use her energy constructively, like dance, soccer, tumbling, etc).
Look, if you don't want to like doTERRA because they're a network marketing company, fine. Don't like them. But you are, in no way, in any position to discuss their quality or purity if you don't have access to a GC/MS machine, or you're not willing to accept the words of respected scientists in the EO community.
Again, my name is Chris, I live in Utah, and yes--I use doTERRA EOs because I know they work. I know this because I've SEEN THEM work. I've actually USED them.
chris, i wonder if you would be willing to talk a bit more on how they are working for your daughter. i am on the fence about EOs in general and also YL vs. doterra.. if you can, just leave a comment on the blog i have attached and we can exchange emails perhaps. thank you
DeleteI have also seen great results with doTERRA's oils on my children as an alternative to ADHD meds- specifically the peaceful child recipe and their proprietary In Tune blend. I am sensitive to plants and have never been able to use EO's due to allergic reactions. That is, until I tried doTerra's oils. Although there is great science behind the oils, all I had to do was smell and apply them to know there was something different about them. And they do work amazingly well.
DeletedoTERRA reps will let you try the oils for free before you choose whether to order them or not- do you offer free samples prior to purchase? doTERRA oils are safe to take internally and their quality is consistent. You pay a premium price for a premium product, no matter what marketing method the company chooses. And you are not buying diluted oils that may contain as little as 10% eo's, so in the long run the oils are less expensive from doTerra. Just my well-researched two cents, rather than a rant.
Tom J.
DeleteChris is right about doterra and for those wanting to know more...do your own research other than a complaint board such as this. I sat in a room full of 200 plus people that were consultants for Doterra and the question was asked "how many of you would still use the product even if there was no business side to the company...Every hand in the room went up. These people are not just in it for the money, my self included use the oils each day and share it with others in need. And that is how Doterra is built! It sells it's self.
We all do network marketing and most don't even know it. How about the last awesome product you just bought from the store...how many people did you tell about it? And how many did they tell? The sad thing is just by you opening your mouth to how great a product is you became a network marketer, the big difference is...you didn't get paid for it.
Thanks for the input! I've tried doTERRA, and really liked them... They do test each batch for impurities, etc., etc., I'll check to see if they have that available, where would one find the info. And based on a distributor I spoke with, their sources come from where these oils naturally thrive... I guess there would be a difference between that and home grown? I believe Young living grows theirs at the owners property. I heard some oils (The healing constiuents) don't work in the long run? I guess I need to start sampling, and checking out different carriers, and do more research. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat does "Certified Organic oils" mean? And how easy is that attainable? More research for me I guess.
Hi thank you for this great post...it was very helpful! I was vacillating on my opinion about whether or not i should invest in doterra or if there were just as quality oils without the hype.Quality and company integrity are to me the things I want when making an investment in my health.What you said about the company having the gas chromatography analysis available was a great help. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteI believe that when choosing between these providers, it makes a big difference when you go with people whose personalities you are drawn to. You will feel more open and trusting and therefore I think those oils will benefit you most. I believe the oils carry the qualities of those promoting them, whether good or bad. Go with your own "hunch".
DeleteI will have to stand up in defense of MLM's as well. Pyramid schemes are illegal. MLM's are valid ways that people like myself sell a product that we think valuable. I am a proud doTERRA Independent Product Consultant and am happy that the people I am affiliated with are working so hard to allow me to work independently and make a very good living. We seem to agree that essential oils are beneficial, so I hope that we can all continue to educate the public on their positive qualities instead of discrediting other companies.
ReplyDeleteIgnorant people always use the word PYRAMID for network marketing. The only thing they understand is the concept of having people join your team. The idea of that freaks them out and they demonize network marketing companies based on a dreadful experience they've encountered.
DeleteAnd who were your "reputable" wholesalers, you've dealt with in the past? No I didn't think, you would mention them. Yes Young Living's prices are "high" but you wouldn't expect to pay 12,000 for a Jaguar or Alfa Romeo, would you? Quality comes with a price! Anyone can take a bottle of toluene, make it smell flowery and call it an essential oil! Get a clue and sight some sources for your rants or just keep quiet!!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU for addressing this. I hate when evil conventional companies take something that has been used for centuries by those who live a healthy lifestyles and muck it up as a fad and use multi-level marketing to make a buck. No one should buy these products. If you want good quality, organic oils, go to your nearest health food store and buy a legitimate, established brand.
ReplyDeleteactually, my local natural health food company sells crap quality. They stink and don't smell right at all. Even the owner of the store doesn't use the brand she sells (I think she uses YL in her personal life). The reason she sells the brand she does is b/c 'people want cheap'.... so she sells them b/c they are cheap, not b/c they are good.
Deletethank you for posting this.
ReplyDeleteessante organics compensation plan
this really helps me. thank you for posting!
ReplyDeleteessante organics compensation plan
Thanks for this post! I, too, am turned off by companies who overly inflate their prices while adding no additional value, and pay multiple levels of [unnecessary] sales associates and team leaders. I prefer to buy as directly as possible from reputable, high-quality companies.
ReplyDeleteThere are apparently some of said associates from YL and/or DT commenting above, trying to defend their beloved companies. Why don't they go out and find their own dreams, instead of over-padding the pockets of others who choose to sell inferior products for inflated prices? Don't they realize how little they are making in the grand scheme of things? Don't they realize they are doing a disservice to themselves and the rest of us by putting their heart and soul into promoting sub-par products to unsuspecting people who trust them?
How silly of a company to create their own meaningless certification, and then to flaunt it as if it means something. Ugh. I'll stick with buying the wonderful local and organic brand at my local food co-op...they are fairly priced for both the company and the consumer, have true transparency and facts to back up their products, and they don't waste resources on many levels of unnecessary employees or packaging. I encourage others to find something similar! Here's the wonderful company I choose to support: http://www.veriditasbotanicals.com/
Just looked at this site and the prices are even higher then Doterra's...And so tell me how they can justify that?
DeleteI to have been with doTERRA for 10 months now and I was never pressured into doing the business. It just happend naturally. I was hesitant at first about seeing if the oils could help some of my small health issues for myself and my family. To my surprise they helped and I love what the company has to offer. I started sharing my story and the oils with people and it spread like wildfire. The doTTERA team is amazing. I would recommend keeping an open mind. This lady above blogging sound like a bunch of horse shit. Im not to sure she has her fact correct.
ReplyDeleteThe guy who wrote rich dad poor dad did some talking about network marketing and how great it was to helpl other people to become successful. THIS COMPANY DOES exactly that. Its a beautiful thing. The products are a beautiful thing. Organic is on the ground- you cant trust that phrase anymore unfortunetly.
Great post. I just located your blog and wished to let you know that I have certainly loved reading your blogs. At any rate I’m going to be subscribing to your feed and I really hope you are writing again soon.
ReplyDeletethis article is so good ..it is very informative !blog readers will truly like it.
ReplyDeleteTry Video Marketing
I've never tried DT or YL, but I have many friends really onto them. I have used the NOW brand for years with much success, but my new oil love is at http://www.anandaapothecary.com/. They have many amazing oils of the highest qualities. I have already bought most of the oils they offer, and can not imagine how DT or YL could be any better. They search the globe for the best oils they can find, and the prices are much lower than the MLM companies.
ReplyDeletegreat blog!it's very informational.hope make more like this. GET EPX
ReplyDeletethis is very informative!from now on i will be subscribing your blogs.hope you post more.great article. EZ Money Formula
ReplyDeleteYoung Living devotee here! Used other brands for years with no result but have seen YL's oils do amazing things for my family and friends. I began teaching classes on them after watching them work, time and again, over a period of three years. I absolutely love watching the oils work for others and enjoy hearing back every day from those who have been helped and healed by them!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the tax break that network marketing can offer. Includes great network marketing tax advice and a list of things you can claim.
ReplyDeleteDear Jill, this is Lawrence Li from Puzhen Life USA LLC, NYC. I am writing to you to see how we can be your vendor of aroma diffusers? thank you, Lawrence
ReplyDeleteHow would one get oils of the quality you speak of that are not MLM?
ReplyDeleteIs a signature required to enroll a new doterra consultant? Someone has enrolled me without my knowledge and im wondering if they also would have forged my signature.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling a little lost in my essential oil research. My gut feeling tells me not to spend the money on doTerra, but I'm not sure what to purchase. My young daughter has horrible eczema, and I'm desperate to help her. The only "recipes" I've found online use doTerra oils. If not doTerra, what would you recommend?
ReplyDeleteChellsam,
DeleteIf your gut is telling you not too, then don't. BUT anything is worth a try, right..? What would be the harm in trying DoTerra products and see for yourself if it works for your daughter or not. As mothers we would do anything for our children to help them. Don't read everything you hear. Try it :).
Before typing I think research and facts are important...To the Anonymous ones above that claim DoTerra is FDA approved...TRUE FACT, They NEVER claim/ed to be FDA approve and they say they aren't on their website.
ReplyDeleteThe FDA doesn't approve a lot of things. It might surprise some. The "FDA does not approve cosmetics, the FDA does not approve medical foods, the FDA does not approve infant formula, the FDA does not approve dietary supplements, the FDA does not approve dietary supplements, the FDA does not approve the food label, including Nutrition Facts, the FDA does not approve compounded drugs, FDA does not approve companies, the FDA does not approve structure-function claims on dietary supplements and other foods". And these is all from the FDA.gov website.
Sounds like this blogger has some personal issue with said company/ies and is trying to make the company/ies look bad to whomever will listen. She almost had me wanting to read some more on her blog until her (un)professionalism came out in the end of this blog. I am not a blogger but I would think being profession is the best way to go if you want people to take you serious.
I just ordered some oils from DoTerra and I am excited to see how they work for myself. I have heard nothing but great things about that company.
I second to that.... they are amazing and great products ! I would say everyone should have and try it to prove it for themselves... before you judge. To see is to believe ! And please respect scientists they have worked so hard, its a gift to all of us. V
DeleteI have no qualms with the company persay, and I don't necessarily think doTerra or Young Living is a scheme, but there is an insanely successful marketing plan. It is pretty genius to make up your own "certification" in such a sneaky way that many people brag about that feature. The lack of science supporting essential oils is a huge red flag. Also, the fact that anyone I have ever met trying to sell this stuff, is a stay at home mom trying to convince everyone else of the medical reasons why they should try doTerra. Interesting, never knew they went to medical school. I'm not saying there aren't any benefits from good smelling oils or natural remedies, I'm saying doTerra and companies like it follow the network marketing model for a reason. So many people out there particularly mothers, desperate to make "easy" money. Mommy circles and church circles are easy to exploit and convince/pressure friends into believing the product/company is worth the investment. Go to any craft boutique run mostly by stay at home moms and churches. You will see Advocare, Herbalife, doTerra, Avon, Mary Kay, Scentsy, etc. There is a BIG reason companies with a worthy product do not use the network marketing model, because they don't need desperate people to convince other people to invest . These companies aren't schemes persay, but people do have to drink the juice or lie a little in order to speak the praises of these products in order to convince people to participate.
Deleteyou have basically said EVERYTHING that I put in my essential oil book! (ESSENTIAL OILS AND AROMATHERAPY: How to Use Essential Oils for Beauty, Health, and Spirituality) Granted, in print I didn’t mention the companies by name but mentioned every single point you touched on. The book just came out in August, 2013, so there aren’t many comments on Amazon yet. But, I’m pretty sure that when some Doterra and Young Living reps read it (that is, if they ever read anything beyond company literature) that they will voice it loudly in my book reviews.
ReplyDeleteWe own an aromatherapy shop here in Nashville, TN. So many people come in and turn their noses up, assuming our oils can’t be as good as “those guys” because the prices are lower. I explain that we buy from a supplier that buys from the farms and we don’t jack-up the price to make multi-level marketing profits. Some listen, others are brainwashed. Greg (aromagregory)
it's lost in a pair of channels, the one that consists of p water along with increased hydrogen ion levels, and also the various other contains the vitalizing alkaline water.
ReplyDeleteBuy Etizolam
Oh so many things wrong with this whole thread I just have to state that anyone who straight up calls a multilevel market company that produces products a pyramid scheme has not done their homework so based on that alone I cannot read anything else this blogger has to say...just really void of anything I feel I can trust after that loony statement.
ReplyDeleteWhere is the middle path here?
ReplyDeleteDoTerra is not necessarily 'evil' but clearly they are an MLM. You make more when you sign other people up underneath you. Draw a diagram, this will look like a pyramid for a reason. But they do sell a legit product. I have used many essential oils for years, are DoTerra's better? I'll be the first to say that some of their blends smell fan-freaking-tastic. But no one without a lab and actual testing can answer that.
Are they more expensive? Yes. For what? Well...back to the MLM. Manufacturers choose to distribute this way because it allows them to charge more money for the product without having to directly compete with what's on the market. Simple example. Go to DoTerra's website and pick out any single ingredient oil so you can do a direct comparison. It will cost more than most available on the market, often 2x as much. Is it a bad oil? No. Is it evil and wrong? No. Is it misleading, well, if you don't comparison shop that's your problem but yes, they 'educate' their consumers to buy their products (sales pitch). And because of the Amway/Avon style approach, you're often being sold to by friends and feel pressure to support them even though it's not the best deal.
This article seemed very fair and unbiased to me. C'mon, why deny the fact that they made up a fake certification. Who cares? It's marketing. Their products look and smell great and make great gifts. Personally, I prefer to support small businesses and especially organic oil producers. It's great that companies provide a way for people to work from home, but I work my ass off and am not spending 2x fair market price so my friends can stay home. I personally couldn't feel good about selling overpriced goods either but would happily rep. organic oils. Time to get a carpet bag, whoot!
Have fun arguing. Just take a pause once in a while to ask yourself...why are you reacting so strongly. If there's nothing to defend, why get so defensive.
I've been looking into doTERRA oils lately and trying to find information on both sides, and I have come to the same conclusion as you- What's all this anger about? If the company is what's being insulted, why are so many taking personal offense?
DeleteI feel one important topic that I never see discussed is the possibility of the placebo effect. If you need it to work, it'll probably work. If it relieves your personal headaches and tummy problems, then that's fantastic. But that's just one person and one opinion. Science is not conducted in that way.
It's just strange to me that people expect a personal account to convince the masses. Things rarely convince the masses. People think what they want to think.
Look at any corporate structure and that is the true definition of a pyramid! CEO, President, VP etc. MLM is simply a different sales model and payment structure. Warren Buffet owns an MLM, Donald Trump says he would be in MLM if he lost all his real estate. If you all want to work for someone else for the rest of your life, go for it!
DeleteI have been using doTerra oils for 2 years now. I speak from my heart. I had an asthma attack in the middle of the night. DoTerra Breathe essential oil saved my life. The digestZen has helped with all kinds of digestive upset. I have so many dear friends and feel so much support within from this company. Many of my good friends are certified aromatherapists from Bastyr University. One of them taught a Chemistry of Essential Oils class. It is your choice what oils you use but I stand behind doTerra because the oils are but tools that allow the body to heal itself. I choose to keep it positive and let people decide for themselves. Spread some love!
ReplyDeleteYou used 3 oils and made a decision? And how many times did you use each one? Do you get a headache and take an aspirin and say....ok I will never get another headache?
ReplyDeleteAnyone who puts their oils through the same standards are welcomed to use CPTG. It is a quality control ensuring their product is same. It sets them a part from many adulterated oils out there. There is no regulation on essential oils and people can produce their oils any way they like including using harsh chemicals such as turpentine. CPTG is a standard so that those using essential oils medicinally can be assured they are safe.
ReplyDelete@jillmckeever in my research I stumbled onto your oils blog post. I appreciate your honest feedback on the big companies like young living and doterra. I am trying to find pure and true oils that i can use to improve minor health concerns. However, it is really difficult to navigate all the different claims. Do you have any small pure and authentic oil companies you do feel confident recommending? Thanks again for sharing this blog, I may have gotten lost in the scheme if I hadn't tripped over it in my research. Thank you for your time and assistance!
ReplyDeletehello,
Deletemost essential oil brands sold in health food stores are pretty good, altough sometimes not as fresh if they have been on the shelf too long.
Great post, factual and timely. I also make my own products, and I find myself using less essential oils than I once did anyway. It takes a massive amount of plant material to harvest a very small amount of essential oil. Therefore, I've modified most of my recipes to include the plant itself instead of it's essence (for instance, tooth powder which uses powdered citrus rind for flavor and to whiten teeth as opposed to just putting a few drops of sweet orange e.o. into some bentonite clay. The reasons for this are many, but it's mainly because I can sustainably grow an orange tree in my geographic location, dehydrate and save the rind, and make an organic ingredient in my own back yard... without needing to irrigate an entire orchard to do so. I'm thinking that bartering citus powders from Arizona, in exchange for some bentonite clay from Wyoming (just an example), just might be the most cost-effective approach to make quality products in our current market. Just a thought. My point is that perhaps we are focusing on the problems (misleading trademarks, MLM's, brainwashing, etc.); when we could be focusing on possible solutions (sustainability, fair trade, etc.) So I propose a different strategy for entrepreneurs of health & beauty products: rework your recipe to include ingredients you can procure from yourself, or from people you know and trust. If you feel you can't trust a sales rep/company/agency, etc., then bypass those ingredients in your recipes altogether. Don't waste your energy; instead, focus on an alternative solution. I personally prefer the taste of my products now that I've begun using the physical plant material instead of their essences (when I can, and it's appropriate.) What I won't do is waste my time debating about a company's legitimacy, nor will I go on a crusade of damage control in defense of said company. My reason is because in the time I've wasted reading all of the negative bickering in these comments over essential oils, I could have already designed a recipe which does not include them anyway. I would like to thank the blog writer for her perspective, and I do hope that we can all begin to work together.
ReplyDeleteReply to Lacey J:
ReplyDeleteI'm no expert, but I personally enjoy Essanté Organics Essential Oils. Essanté oils are 100% pure, organic, therapeutic grade essential oils. You can learn more about their selection and quality, in addition to how they meet the criteria to be USDA Organic and Therapeutic grade at this link: www.DoctorEmilyMD.com/oils.html . I personally find it comforting to know that these oils are 100% pure. As a physician, I think it is very important to use high quality products. Essante Organics product info (including the essential oils) can be found at www.EssanteOrganics.com/DrOrganicMD .
I have recently decided to join Essante because I love their products and mission, so if you have any questions or are interested in trying samples, please feel free to contact me anytime at DrOrganicMD@gmail.com. I am also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DrOrganicMD.
Emily, www.DoctorEmilyMD.com
Send your different oils in question to EssentialOilUniversity.com for testing, even leave the brand off the bottles, use another identifier...and see for yourself how the oils measure up to each other. Most cheaper health store oils would not measure up to doTERRA, I cannot speak for Young Living as I know their oils have failed comparative tests.
ReplyDeleteIt caught my attention that doterra's melaluca oil is said to be fit for internal use. NEVER before have I seen it said that melaluca should be used internally. But when I had a bad cold and painful respiration, my mother-in-law gave me a mix of oils to take in a capsule, and it included melaluca. I told her I was hesitant to take it internally, but I gave it a whirl, half expecting to get sicker. But within 20 minutes I actually felt better, and the pain with breathing never occurred again during the short time I still had the cold while using the oil blend.
ReplyDeleteStill, no company is perfect, and sometimes things happen when management or suppliers change, and so I personally recommend to consistently check what results other people get from anything one may consider putting into one's body. I live in a little town practically in the middle of nowhere and can find people who use doTERRA everywhere it seems. If they started saying they took it and felt bad, it would catch my attention. And if another brand starts working better for other people and for me, I would switch up accordingly.
I AM NOT A doTERRA REP, just a girl sayin' as I see it. Peace!
Anyone with access to the Internet can find out the long and disheartening history of Gary Young, the founder of Young Living Essential Oils. He posed as a doctor in California and was arrested in 1988, he also caused the death of his own child during a waterbirth with his first wife because he held his baby under water for one hour, leading to the death of what would have likely been a healthy child.
ReplyDeleteAnyone with that same access would also be able to find that doTerra CPTG trademark is a complete marketing garbage. They trademarked the phrase and the logo so that they could ONLY put it on their bottles but the reality is there is no true therapeutic grade for essential oils. There is only the following:
E.O.B.B.D.
Essential Oil Botanically & Biochemically Defined.
Third party gas chromatography tests have shown that both Young Living and doTERRA Essential Oils have been diluted in carrier oils, and have added synthetic fragrances that create a false veil of strength and lack the purity to which they claim so highly.
Please do some research before blindly accepting some marketing and PLEASE pay attention to the claims made against the original blog poster as they are often sounding like the words coming from multi-level-marketing reps trying to protect their own pocket.
Theres no reason to create a comment war about character of the writer, especially when you make ludicrous claims such as one by another Anonymous user:
"Don't you realize doterra oils are FDA approved. So the grade is not misleading, ma'am."
Don't YOU realize that the company you represent "doTerra" is doing a great diservice to the aromatherapy community with the quackery of claims of miracle cures.
I personally recommend to NEVER ingest essential oils without the direct guidance of a certified aromatherapist from a country that is highly regarded in the field of aromatherapy such as England or France.
ONE LAST THING:
I am only using a anonymous name to avoid the spam that would ensue from the misguided folks hiding behind marketing jargon and misguiding people with their B.S. claims to having a superior product.
You have your own oils shop? No wonder you criticize the competition.
ReplyDeleteOh the fun and fickle behaviors of perspective.
ReplyDeleteI just wasted AND enjoyed the last 30 minutes of reading this whole blog.
I'm an avid Young Living "sucker," by the way.