Opinions on the essential oils Young Living sells? Worth the money?
January 20, 2016 2:33 PM Subscribe
My friend sells the products and I'm tempted to as well just for the discount. I've been researching the benefits of essential oils, especially for respiratory issues/illness.
Is this just another MLM scam? Reviews online seem to be mixed but hard to separate if it's just competitors putting them down or if they truly are not worth the money.
Any other companies worth trying? Ideally in Canada or ships to Canada?
Is this just another MLM scam? Reviews online seem to be mixed but hard to separate if it's just competitors putting them down or if they truly are not worth the money.
Any other companies worth trying? Ideally in Canada or ships to Canada?
The quality of the lavender I bought from Escents (Canadian company) was really good. At least if quality is determined by how good it smells. All the other lavender oils I've tried smell bad in comparison, but Escents was a lot more expensive too.
posted by Blitz at 2:53 PM on January 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Blitz at 2:53 PM on January 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
Essential oils smell nice. If you like the way an oil smells, buy it if the price seems fair.
As for curing things....eh. Eucalyptus oil does open you up a bit. So does Vicks Vaporub. Lavender does help with calming. So does meditation
If you're paying a premium for an oil based on some healing properties that are claimed. That's a scam.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 3:23 PM on January 20, 2016 [8 favorites]
As for curing things....eh. Eucalyptus oil does open you up a bit. So does Vicks Vaporub. Lavender does help with calming. So does meditation
If you're paying a premium for an oil based on some healing properties that are claimed. That's a scam.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 3:23 PM on January 20, 2016 [8 favorites]
"The published evidence is sparse to nonexistent. There are clinical studies to support a few of the recommended uses, but they are generally poorly designed, uncontrolled, and unconvincing. Research is difficult, because patients can’t be blinded to the odors, and mental associations and relaxation could account for most of the observed effects.
The claims for essential oils are handily summarized and debunked in articles like these..."
(click through here -- sciencebasedmedicine.org)
MLMs are by nature scams, yes. Don't get involved. If you want stuff that smells nice, buy stuff that smells nice, but don't expect it to do much of anything else, and, don't use a pyramid scheme to obtain it.
Virtually all positive reviews for MLM products you're going to find on the internet are astroturfing from people who are pushing the MLM. Okay, anecdata, but I Google that sort of thing semi-regularly to try to find stuff to discourage people who ask "Should I get involved in this MLM?" on the internet, and I have never ever found a positive review that didn't reek of astroturfing. Note how many of them have 'drank the Kool-Aid' and end the glowing review with "it was so great I decided to join the company!"
posted by kmennie at 3:23 PM on January 20, 2016 [5 favorites]
The claims for essential oils are handily summarized and debunked in articles like these..."
(click through here -- sciencebasedmedicine.org)
MLMs are by nature scams, yes. Don't get involved. If you want stuff that smells nice, buy stuff that smells nice, but don't expect it to do much of anything else, and, don't use a pyramid scheme to obtain it.
Virtually all positive reviews for MLM products you're going to find on the internet are astroturfing from people who are pushing the MLM. Okay, anecdata, but I Google that sort of thing semi-regularly to try to find stuff to discourage people who ask "Should I get involved in this MLM?" on the internet, and I have never ever found a positive review that didn't reek of astroturfing. Note how many of them have 'drank the Kool-Aid' and end the glowing review with "it was so great I decided to join the company!"
posted by kmennie at 3:23 PM on January 20, 2016 [5 favorites]
I have noticed that there are subcultures in the US that now regard MLMs as kind of a game to beat: it's a scam, but you just gotta get in and get out on time, and that's normalizing some of the talk about MLMs but they are scams, they are pyramid schemes, and they prey on both "got mine!" assholes and people with a lot of hope and poor math skills. Don't participate in that.
And people's health is suffering - often children-people who don't get to demand medical care but are hostage to the prey of the nearest adult - by the claims these items make.
If essential oils had high medical value, they would cost $100 a bottle. Someone would corner the market instead of using market-saturating selling schemes to drive the price to pennies.
posted by Lyn Never at 3:32 PM on January 20, 2016 [8 favorites]
And people's health is suffering - often children-people who don't get to demand medical care but are hostage to the prey of the nearest adult - by the claims these items make.
If essential oils had high medical value, they would cost $100 a bottle. Someone would corner the market instead of using market-saturating selling schemes to drive the price to pennies.
posted by Lyn Never at 3:32 PM on January 20, 2016 [8 favorites]
My friend sells the products and I'm tempted to as well just for the discount.
Discount is one thing but for you to sell means you burning through your family and friends. They deserve your respect and compassion, but if you get sucked into mlm you'll end up hustling them all the time. Go through your contacts list and figure out if fifteen dollars + from each one is worth not meeting them socially ever again.
They claim to be able to cure ebola ffs. Anyone making false public health claims like this should be imprisoned.
see also
posted by sebastienbailard at 3:35 PM on January 20, 2016 [17 favorites]
Discount is one thing but for you to sell means you burning through your family and friends. They deserve your respect and compassion, but if you get sucked into mlm you'll end up hustling them all the time. Go through your contacts list and figure out if fifteen dollars + from each one is worth not meeting them socially ever again.
They claim to be able to cure ebola ffs. Anyone making false public health claims like this should be imprisoned.
see also
posted by sebastienbailard at 3:35 PM on January 20, 2016 [17 favorites]
It isn't necessarily true that you will need to burn through all your family and friends. Many years ago, I joined a different MLM for the discount. I can't sell to save my life and I never sold a thing. I only used my account to order products I was interested in. I likely still technically have an account with them. I would be hard pressed to figure out how to log back in. I haven't used their products in years.
I know nothing at all about this organization. But if you want to join for the discount, the odds are good you can do that without ever selling a thing. They may send you emails, etc, trying to get you to sell, but they can't really force you to sell. At most, they can cancel your account and then you are back to where you are now. (Though do read the fine print and make sure you are NOT on the hook for selling X amount of crap per month or eating the cost of it yourself.)
I joined the MLM because my friend gave me a free sample (ie about a $60 value of product or more) out of her own money in order to help me with my health issues. Seeing was believing, so I joined. If you don't trust your friend enough to take their word and they aren't willing to hook you up with samples, you probably cannot get better advice from strangers on the Internet. I think you need to decide for yourself if you want to try it yourself and see if the products are the quality you are hoping to find.
Best of luck.
posted by Michele in California at 3:46 PM on January 20, 2016
I know nothing at all about this organization. But if you want to join for the discount, the odds are good you can do that without ever selling a thing. They may send you emails, etc, trying to get you to sell, but they can't really force you to sell. At most, they can cancel your account and then you are back to where you are now. (Though do read the fine print and make sure you are NOT on the hook for selling X amount of crap per month or eating the cost of it yourself.)
I joined the MLM because my friend gave me a free sample (ie about a $60 value of product or more) out of her own money in order to help me with my health issues. Seeing was believing, so I joined. If you don't trust your friend enough to take their word and they aren't willing to hook you up with samples, you probably cannot get better advice from strangers on the Internet. I think you need to decide for yourself if you want to try it yourself and see if the products are the quality you are hoping to find.
Best of luck.
posted by Michele in California at 3:46 PM on January 20, 2016
Here's the rub about most MLM scams - besides the fact that you generally annoy everyone around you. That is also because you generally can make more money just by getting other people to sign up. (And I work in Marketing, and MLM is abundant in the industry and I've had friends and family members get into various things.)
You have to place a minimum order. So you HAVE to spend a certain amount of money every month, regardless of what you sell. Now, if you were going to use that much of something anyway - let's say makeup or cleaning supplies - then yeah, maybe the discount is good enough and you don't have to worry about selling.
However, I can't imagine needing THAT MUCH essential oils for yourself unless you have a soap-making business or something. For example, from this document from Young Living that you would sign up with, here's the minimum monthly order. And I have no idea how much amounts to 50 Personal Volume.
So, if you want to get some good smelling stuff, just get some oils from Amazon that have good reviews.
posted by Crystalinne at 4:10 PM on January 20, 2016 [2 favorites]
You have to place a minimum order. So you HAVE to spend a certain amount of money every month, regardless of what you sell. Now, if you were going to use that much of something anyway - let's say makeup or cleaning supplies - then yeah, maybe the discount is good enough and you don't have to worry about selling.
However, I can't imagine needing THAT MUCH essential oils for yourself unless you have a soap-making business or something. For example, from this document from Young Living that you would sign up with, here's the minimum monthly order. And I have no idea how much amounts to 50 Personal Volume.
You agree to place a minimum order of 50 PV (personal volume) inAnd I agree that while oils and scents can impact your mood and therefore possibly have some effect on your overall health, they do not treat or cure illnesses. OILS themselves may have benefits (for example I oil-cleanse my face.) The podcast Oh No Ross and Carrie did a great episode on Essential oils.
Young Living products to be sent to you or a Young Living Will Call
location for pickup each month. Essential Rewards orders will replace
any existing monthly order placed on your account. The products that
you select will continue to be sent to the address listed every month as
you have indicated, unless you make changes to your product selection...
So, if you want to get some good smelling stuff, just get some oils from Amazon that have good reviews.
posted by Crystalinne at 4:10 PM on January 20, 2016 [2 favorites]
Benefits of essential oils, in general, aside: Young Living is highly overpriced, and its founder is a scam artist and under investigation by the FDA (US) for a treasure trove of unfounded claims concerning the benefits of his oils. Note the FDA's direct quote from one of his consultant's websites: "Viruses (including Ebola) are no match for Young Living Essential Oils."
There is evidence that some of his oils are adulterated with synthetic oils.
Scroll to the bottom of that last link. Interesting Editor's Note:
The above video has been removed. Young Living has a very intimidating legal team who apparently are especially good at getting YouTube videos removed (as was the case with Sultan Yusuf Ahmed Salah’s video). It’s too bad that YouTube (owned by Google) doesn’t support corporate whistle blowers. (Underline emphasis my own.)
Not dissimilar to Scientology's legal tactics. I wouldn't be shocked if they started harassing me over this very comment.
With no disrespect meant to your friend, it has personally been my experience that Young Living's sales consultants are aggressive, defensive and dogmatic about the use of Young Living oils.
Mountain Rose Herbs is a respectable, affordable essential oils provider and they ship to Canada.
posted by nightrecordings at 4:47 PM on January 20, 2016 [9 favorites]
There is evidence that some of his oils are adulterated with synthetic oils.
Scroll to the bottom of that last link. Interesting Editor's Note:
The above video has been removed. Young Living has a very intimidating legal team who apparently are especially good at getting YouTube videos removed (as was the case with Sultan Yusuf Ahmed Salah’s video). It’s too bad that YouTube (owned by Google) doesn’t support corporate whistle blowers. (Underline emphasis my own.)
Not dissimilar to Scientology's legal tactics. I wouldn't be shocked if they started harassing me over this very comment.
With no disrespect meant to your friend, it has personally been my experience that Young Living's sales consultants are aggressive, defensive and dogmatic about the use of Young Living oils.
Mountain Rose Herbs is a respectable, affordable essential oils provider and they ship to Canada.
posted by nightrecordings at 4:47 PM on January 20, 2016 [9 favorites]
Seconding Mountain Rose Herbs. Their prices are reasonable too, but try to order all you need at once since their shipping fees are pretty high.
posted by OkTwigs at 5:41 PM on January 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by OkTwigs at 5:41 PM on January 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
I buy certain oils. I would never buy them from this type of company. I buy from small organic farms instead.
posted by Vaike at 9:16 PM on January 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Vaike at 9:16 PM on January 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
Quintessence Aromatics is based in Saskatchewan. I've loved their oils for about 15 years now. I tried the ravensara from Mountain Rose Herbs once and am sorry to say that it smelled both harsh and diluted, compared to Quintessence's. Possibly I got a bad batch, but I haven't tried them again.
I have friends who used to sell Young Living, who have stopped because, they say, 1. the quality of Young Living oils has deteriorated significantly in recent years but Young Living won't cop to that, and 2. they got tired of dealing with Young Living's pushiness -- yes, as nightrecordings comments above, the aggressive dogmatism is exactly it.
Now my friends are selling oils from Doterra, which i think is another MLM company, hah. The oils I've tried from them have been decent. Having to dodge the friends' invites to attend Tupperware-type Doterra parties is kind of a pain, though.
posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 11:12 PM on January 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
I have friends who used to sell Young Living, who have stopped because, they say, 1. the quality of Young Living oils has deteriorated significantly in recent years but Young Living won't cop to that, and 2. they got tired of dealing with Young Living's pushiness -- yes, as nightrecordings comments above, the aggressive dogmatism is exactly it.
Now my friends are selling oils from Doterra, which i think is another MLM company, hah. The oils I've tried from them have been decent. Having to dodge the friends' invites to attend Tupperware-type Doterra parties is kind of a pain, though.
posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 11:12 PM on January 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
I was going to recommend Mountain Rose Herbs, and also New Directions Aromatics. They're based in Ontario. I use them for soap making and while I'm not crazy about their fragrance oil blends, their essential oils are very high quality.
posted by MexicanYenta at 3:05 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by MexicanYenta at 3:05 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
Don't get involved in an MLM scam. There are other places to buy these oils if you like the smell, but as others have said do not expect them to cure anything. As someone else said, check Amazon for legitimate dealers.
posted by mermayd at 3:29 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by mermayd at 3:29 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'll agree with the general sentiments here:
1) Essential oils have no proven medical effects. They are not -- to the best of my knowledge -- a treatment option for any disease, condition, or illness supported by any reputable peer-reviewed research.
2) If you like the way they smell and want them for that, get some! Good smelling stuff is cool! But personally I'd shy away from buying them from anyone making medical claims on the basis that they're *already* being shady by claiming something that the facts don't support...
That said, I'm not your doctor. If you're sick or have a condition that needs treatment, please consult a medical professional rather than buying scented oils or asking strangers about buying scented oils. ;)
posted by -1 at 11:18 AM on January 21, 2016
1) Essential oils have no proven medical effects. They are not -- to the best of my knowledge -- a treatment option for any disease, condition, or illness supported by any reputable peer-reviewed research.
2) If you like the way they smell and want them for that, get some! Good smelling stuff is cool! But personally I'd shy away from buying them from anyone making medical claims on the basis that they're *already* being shady by claiming something that the facts don't support...
That said, I'm not your doctor. If you're sick or have a condition that needs treatment, please consult a medical professional rather than buying scented oils or asking strangers about buying scented oils. ;)
posted by -1 at 11:18 AM on January 21, 2016
Response by poster: Thanks for the posts so far, I definitely don't think oils will cure anything, I've had success with help relieving symptoms when sick with a cold, headaches and such but by no means expect miracle cures from the stuff :)
posted by bluehermit at 2:54 PM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by bluehermit at 2:54 PM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
I did research on Young Living for a friend a few years ago. nightrecordings has linked to some of the same stuff I found. Please do nothing that supports the continuation of this MLM monstrosity in any way. Get your oils from a reputable source like Mountain Rose.
Essential oil is just a deceptive marketing name for strong chemical compound. Either way they should be used with care. Always dilute!
posted by monopas at 8:08 PM on January 22, 2016
Essential oil is just a deceptive marketing name for strong chemical compound. Either way they should be used with care. Always dilute!
posted by monopas at 8:08 PM on January 22, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by bluehermit at 2:37 PM on January 20, 2016