The FDA has been cracking down on what claims people may or may not make about essential oils. This is because some people claim that various oils do everything from easing autism symptoms to preventing the contraction of the ebola virus.
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
Products are classified as drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act if they are intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.
The “intended” use of a product may be determined by, among other things, its labeling, advertising, and the circumstances surrounding its distribution.
Compliance
The first warnings were sent out to Natural Solutions Foundation, Young Living, and dōTERRA International LLC.
Some people who post inaccuracies or at least claims which are not approved by the FDA will get a compliance email from Pinterest informing them that their pin has been removed. This can also happen if you operate a blog, Facebook page, or other page on the web which claims in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
The most common offenders are:
- Thieves
- Cinnamon Bark
- Oregano
- ImmuPower
- Rosemary
- Myrtle
- Sandalwood
- Eucalyptus Blue
- Peppermint
- Ylang Ylang
- Frankincense
- Orange
Non compliant language includes terms about diseases such as mitigate, prevent, cure and treat. The FDA has a page in place discussing compliant language here. A private Facebook group also exists to help people stay compliant in their essential oils claims.
Do essential oils actually cure diseases?
I have personally had bug bites and various itches soothed by some sort of oil. Which one, I couldn’t tell you. As for the actual effectiveness of essential oils curing diseases, you’d be best off reading this article using essential oils to cure diseases.
Recap
Essential oils are interesting, rubbed, diffused, and even, yikes, inserted…
I hope this article explains why some Essential Oil Pins are banned on Pinterest. If you’re a blogger or a pinner, be compliant!
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It is October 2015 and I have had several pins deleted from my boards on pinterest. The pins that were deleted were for my eyes only (secret boards). Your article was very helpful. Thanks