Benzoin

[Africa Renee]

Hi all,
In the early stages of Aromatherapy course and the tutor has told us that BENZOIN has been withdrawn because of its (apparently) carcinogenic properties. The VTCT list we were given still contains it and all the books still have it in them.
Also the student kit I bought through FHT catalogue contains it.

Is the tutor wrong or was it withdrawn the reinstated?

thanks
Carolyn

 

[John67]

Well Aromaweb has nothing on this.
The NHS Complementary Health Library has nothing on this.
Wikipedia has nothing on this.
www.essentialoils.co.za has nothing on this.
msds.chem.ox.ac.uk has "Not hazardous according to Directive 67/548/EEC"
Google News has nothing on this.

Could you please get your teacher to give you a source for this information? It's not enough to just say "don't use it" without giving you references!

 

[Dr.A]

Oh no, you can't put a stop on Benzoin, I use it for it's properties but also love it's smell. It's often used in soaps and perfumes too. It's a resin isn't it?

 

[ydvksitm]

I adore Benzoin it has such a warmth and depth to it - however there have been some warnings about it. See this article by Martin Watt regarding benzoin sensitisation.

http://aromamedical.org/articles/04benzoin.html

Love Binah
x

 

[KNGWiFi]

Maybe this is a case of us (ie the human race) "needing" it in only in very low dilution for its mental, emotional and spiritual properties only.

 

[Olive]

Hi i am doing the VCTC aromatherapy course and i have not been told of any warnings about benzoin, and we are using it for the course.
i will mention it to my tutor and see what she says.

 

[Master Road]

Thanks for the replies, I tried to find info but nothing came up and the tutor insisted.
Im going to use it anyway - as earthbabe said if we just continue to use it in moderation (too much of any good thing can be bad!) it should be ok.

Thanks again
Carolyn

 

[old man on the hill]

Here's a warning about benzoin: as it's a resin, it's very hard to clean out of bottles. I was reminded of this the other day when I used it for a massage for the first time in ages!

 

[Nice to meet you]

LOL Nick, I have some in a pipette I can't get out, had to use that as I forgot to leave the bottle upside down

 

[CrazyCal]

I was interested in this thread as I too like Benzoin - its a very warm comforting aroma.

I wonder if your tutors have picked up on this research?

http://www.aromamedical.com/articles/benzoin.html

The guy who has written it is Advisor on essential oils and aromatherapy to the Institute of Complementary Medicine - UK. http://www.icmedicine.co.uk

and although I have heard the name - I don't know much about his credentials although reading his home page blog he obviously feels in a position to comment.

Hope that's helpful

Celia

 

[bellelayne]

Martin Watts is well respected and very knowledgable and his articles on Plant Aromatics A Data and Reference Manual on Essential Oils and Aromatic Plant Extracts are a useful addition to the aromatherapists library on the safety of essential oils including benzoin which is a resin.

If anyone has a copy of Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs, it could help to clarify the situation regarding the safety of benzoin.

Another reference source lists Benzoin as being non-toxic and non-irritant, but describes the tincture of Benzoin as being a sensitiser. Anyone familiar with the remedy Friars Balsam for coughs - I used to use it, but don't know if it's still available.

Love Binah
xx

 

[The CD]

Oops Binah - I hadn't seen your earlier post re that article. sorry..
Interestingly - I did look up Benzoin in the Tisserand Essential Oil Safety book and he doesn't list it -maybe because its not an essential oil as such? But he does sell it on his website as I checked.

Sorry for duplication - got a headache which is affecting my concentration

 

[Pompal 09.]

No probs Celia

Binah
xx

 

[Harnbjordan]

I think she may be confusing it with a known carcinogen called Benzene - check it out on wikipedia! I know this isn't an essential oil but it's possible she read this somewhere and got it confused with the essential oil! I've not heard of any problems with Benzoin.

 

[ladypam60]

Hi, i mentioned this to my tutor at colleage yesterday, and she said she has not herd anything and benzoin is safe to use.
hope this helps