Lubricant Selection for PE

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Don’t know how I missed this one, definitely a good read.

I use aqueous cream, it is really silky and with a bit of water makes Jelqing really easy.

My mum uses it because she has psoriasis.

I agree, this is a very informative article.

Here’s something that might interest people with acne. My own personal experience.

I’ve suffered from acne for over 10 years now and I’ve tried almost everything to treat my acne except Accutane. I never wanted to try accutane because of it’s unwanted side effects particularly it’s harsh effect on the liver. So far from what I’ve read about acne, DHT is one of the main contributors to the problem. DHT is required by the body for many reasons one of which is to encourage the sebaceous glands to produce sebum. Sebum is the oil that our skin produces in order to protect itself and function normally.

It’s believed that excessive amounts of DHT in our body ends up being absorbed by androgen receptors like for instance the sebaceous glands in our skin. When these sebaceous glands receive excessive amounts of DHT they becomes overstimulated and produce more sebum which in the end causes more blockages to occur in the pores. When the blockage occurs there is quite often some form of dirt, germ or bacteria in the pore and because it’s moist, warm and has a continuous supply of nutrients (perfect environment for germs and bacteria) it becomes infected which leads to acne.

If the sebaceous gland keeps receiving DHT and produces more sebum which can’t be excreted then the gland becomes inflamed and forms a cystic nodule. A comodone is essentially the next step up from a cystic nodule where the skin surrounding the pore becomes infected and begins to fester, peel and/or die which results in what can only be described as a "volcano". (Not all comodones and cystic nodules are the same, everyone is affected differently). Very severe comodones in large numbers looks a lot like small pox.

The influence of sex hormones on acne.
Topical spironolactone inhibits dihydrotestosterone receptors in human sebaceous glands: an autoradiographic study in subjects with acne vulgaris.

Seeing as Olive Oil is (supposedly) a DHT blocker I thought I would try this little experiment on myself.

For the last 7 or 8 weeks I’ve been using an oil mixture to treat my cystic acne. The mixture is 100ml of Cold Pressed Virgin Olive oil, 10 drops of Eucalyptus Essential oil and 5 drops of Lemon Essential oil.

Olive Oil is (supposedly) a natural DHT blocker so by using it locally in areas affected by acne it could reduce the severity and/or possibly reduce the rate of occurence.
Eucalyptus oil is an antiseptic so it should kill any unwanted germs and bacteria in the pores themselves; it is also good for circulation.
Lemon oil is also an antiseptic and is great for circulation (especially good for the liver). Lemon is also effective when used as a minor treatment for acne.

I’ve been applying this to the isolated areas where there are cystic nodules or comedones present and I’ve noticed the following:

Cystic Nodules
- After 1-3 days of applying the mixture to the affected area(s) the pain and inflammation has subsided but the nodule still exists.
- A further 2-3 days and the nodule has disappeared almost entirely (around 75% gone).
- Another 1-2 days and the cystic nodule along with any acne symptoms in the immediate area have disappeared entirely with no signs of scarring or skin damage.

So in 4 to 8 days (depending on the severity) the problem has been resolved completely.

If I leave the cystic nodule untreated it seems to take between 2 to 4 weeks to heal on it’s own.

Comedones
- After 1-2 Days the comodone has dried completely and the pain and inflammation has stopped.
- Another 1-3 Days and the skin surrounding the comodone begins to dry out and peel (or flake if you prefer).
- A further 2-4 Days and all the dry skin is gone, the "volcano" has sealed over and a soft, smooth surface remains however there is still slight swelling.
- 1-2 Days more and the area is as good as new.

So in 5 to 11 days (depending on the severity) the comedone has disappeared and the skin looks and feels healthy.

If I leave the comodone untreated it takes up to 4 weeks to heal and quite often leaves a small scar.

The cost of this treatment:
500ml of Cold Pressed Virgin Olive Oil : $16.25
11ml 100% Organic Eucalyptus Essential Oil : $16.95
11ml 100% Organic Lemon Essential Oil : $12.95

This will last a minimum of 12 months for less than $50 and has been more successful than the $60 to $100 per month treatments I’ve used in the past.

Is EVOO bad on tubes or seal from like Pump Toys.

I assume you’re referring to Eroset’s Oil?

The recipe I know of contains an extremely large amount of essential oils (5% total blend) which can react badly with plastics, rubbers, wood varnish and paint. The rosemary essential oil used is a very strong oil and can quite possibly damage pumps.

Essential oils need to be used carefully, just recently my carpal tunnel syndrome has been made worse through the use of Ginger and Juniper Berry essential oils and I used less than 1% total blend.

I have just realised now that I never posted contraindications for essential oils. I’m saying this because rosemary essential oil is contraindicated in people with high blood pressure, suffering from hypertension and/or insomnia, or epilepsy.

I’ll write up what information I have shortly.

The following oils are either contraindicated or have precautions for use.

This is not a complete list of all essential oils available on the market but these are the most common and easily available.

Basil Linalol
• Skin irritation and sensitisation to sensitive skin types. Half dose recommended. Patch test required before use due to potential allergic reaction.
• Toxicity levels restrict use to 2 weeks of continuous use.
• Contraindicated in pregnant and breast feeding women.
• Contraindicated in people with epilepsy.

Black Pepper
• Toxicity levels restrict use to 2 weeks of continuous use.
• Skin irritation to sensitive skin types. Half dose recommended.

Clary Sage
• Contraindicated in pregnant and breast feeding women.
• Contraindicated in people with Epilepsy.

Eucalyptus
• Skin irritation to sensitive skin types. Half dose recommended.
• Contraindicated in people with Epilepsy.

Geranium
• Skin sensitisation to sensitive skin types. Patch test required before use due to potential allergic reaction.
• Contraindicated in people with hypoglycemia.

Lavendar
• No contraindications recorded for lavender use however individuals may have allergies to use.
• Can be applied neat however it is not recommended.
• It is commonly believed to cause Gynecomastia however there is very little scientific evidence to support this notion and what evidence there is, is in chubby, pre-pubescent boys who are already more likely to develop the condition due to body physiology.

Lemon
• Skin irritation and sensitisation to sensitive skin types. Half dose recommended. Patch test required before use due to potential allergic reaction.
• Phototoxicity: Do not use if applied area will be exposed to direct sunlight within 30 minutes of application.

Orange
• Skin sensitisation to sensitive skin types. Patch test required before use due to potential allergic reaction.
• Phototoxicity: Do not use if applied area will be exposed to direct sunlight within 30 minutes of application.

Rosemary
• Contraindicated for people with high blood pressure and on blood pressure medication.
• Contraindicated in people with hypertension and/or insomnia. (Rosemary is a stimulant and can possibly make these conditions more severe).
• Contraindicated in people who suffer from epilepsy.
• Contraindicated in women who are menstruating. (Can cause unnecessarily heavy bleeding).

Ylang Ylang
• Skin sensitisation to sensitive skin types. Patch test required before use due to potential allergic reaction.
• Can be applied neat however it is not recommended.
• Caution required when low blood pressure is present.

All citrus based essential oils can be treated as pretty much the same. The most common citrus based essential oils are Lemon, Lime, Mandarin, Orange and Grapefruit. These oils are phototoxic and can increase the risk of developing skin cancer and skin damage when applied to skin before sun exposure occurs.

A bit of caution when using essential oils with plastic, rubber and silicone “utensils”.

I’ve been using an oil mix for jelqing and I tried wearing a silicone cock ring during one session of exercises a few days ago.

The oil is comprised of:
50ml Cold Pressed Virgin Olive Oil
50ml Cold Pressed Virgin Sweet Almond Oil
3ml Geranium Essential Oil
2ml Lemon Essential Oil
1ml Lavender Essential Oil

After approximately 10 minutes of jelqing I removed the cock ring to find some of it had been dissolved and stained the skin around the base of my penis which even after soaking in a bath tub didn’t completely come out.

I meant extra virgin olive oil.

Good thread TS ;) I use hair conditioner to jelq with, a moisturising one usually. What are the benefits or downfalls from that?

Any comment on cold pressed coconut oil?

Vegetable oils can get gummy over time. I don’t think it would hurt the tube, but not sure I can say the same about the pump seals.

I’ve been experimenting recently with coconut oil. A little goes a long way. I like it. It has much of the same qualities as Albolene.

I don’t know, you’d have to check what sort of ingredients they use. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is common in shampoo’s, conditioners and most soaps and it’s not exactly beneficial to the skin.

SLS Materials Safety Data Sheet

From what information I’ve read so far it’s probably one of the best oils available but it needs to be the non-bleached variety.

There’s a heap of research articles on Coconut Research Center

This one was interesting The Fat that can make you Thin .

Covering cooking utensils with a thin layer of olive oil can protect them from rust so I’m wondering if it might be good for the seals as the oil will prevent oxidation (or is it oxidising? what’s the correct term?). Although regular cleaning might be needed.

ESSENTIAL OILS
THEIR LACK OF SKIN ABSORPTION, BUT EFFECTIVENESS VIA INHALATION.

By Martin Watt

Poppers UK | Buy Poppers Online | Next Day Delivery

Original version published in Aromatic Thymes. 1995. Vol. 3. No. 2. 11-13.
Note: An extra article has been added at the bottom of this one.

Introduction to the article:

I am anxious that people do not misconstrue my articles as indicating that I don’t think aromatherapy works. This is far from the truth as I wholeheartedly agree the therapy can have wonderful healing benefits. However, I am certain some of the traditionally held views on how it works are misleading.

Please also take note of the original date of this article. In the intervening years I have only heard of one recent and as yet unpublished research project, where adequate methods have been used to prevent the inhalation of the oil vapours. Preliminary results indicate no skin absorption.

Aromatherapy can be a potent tool for:

• Unlocking the brains inhibition of normal bodily processes caused by various emotional factors.

• It is excellent for giving relief from many musculo-skeletal ailments.

• Essential oils can achieve spectacular results when treating various kinds of skin trauma.

However, much confusion and misinformation exists about two relatively separate forms of treatment:-

1) massage.

2) The use of aromatic oils with or without massage.

Therapeutic activity:

Some of the aromatic ‘essential’ oils used in aromatherapy do have well-documented therapeutic actions. However, many of the oils for which aromatherapists claim physiological medical activity, in fact possess no recorded historical medicinal actions. Oils such as: Moroccan chamomile, Citronella, Clary sage, Geranium, Rosewood, Vetiver and Ylang were originally produced solely for the perfumery and fragrance trades.

On the other hand, certain oils such as aniseed, cubeb, dill, fennel, peppermint, rose, sandalwood, etc. have been used over several hundred years for a variety of ailments. However, such oils were mainly used internally as medicinal agents. The vast majority of reports within aromatherapy about therapeutic activity are based on information gleaned from the ORAL consumption of herbal remedies which differ a lot from essential oils.

Most aromatherapists claim explicit physical effects after massaging with oils, for example: "Fennel is diuretic," "Geranium regulates the hormonal system," "Grapefruit is good for cellulite." However, none of these effects have been proven when these oils are applied to the skin during massage.

One example of the misleading hype is found with Fennel oil. It is well known for producing an increase in urine output when it is taken as a medicine. However, when the volume of fennel oil used in the average massage is applied, it is doubtful that enough can be absorbed through the skin to elicit any such diuretic action. If very large amounts are used on the skin, or it is occluded - such as with compresses - or the essential oil is used in hot humid environments, then I am prepared to accept some oil may get into the subcutaneous tissues. Diuresis has though been proven to occur following ordinary massage without the use of any essential oils. (1).

I believe the modes of action of essential oils used in aromatherapy are:

1. The psychotherapeutic effects of the oils on the olfactory system and the brain.

2. The absorption into the circulation of some of the oils constituent chemicals via the nasal membranes and lungs.

3. For muscular problems; if much higher percentages of essential oil than are normally used in massage are ‘rubbed in’ or applied on compresses.

4. Damaged skin can often benefit from using ‘healing’ essential and fixed oils. This form of treatment may not be strictly ‘aromatherapy’, but it is closely allied. This is because the essential oils can have a direct pharmacological action on damaged tissues, as well as indirect beneficial effects on the mind if the aroma is perceived as pleasant.

The effects of essential oils on the brain via the olfactory system:

This is the basis on which the perfumery trade functions, and is the way I believe most aromatherapy works. The fragrance trades have sponsored substantial research on the psychological effects of aromatic substances. It has been clearly demonstrated in animals and humans that brain wave patterns are affected to quite a remarkable degree when aromatic vapours are inhaled. It has even been shown that brain wave patterns are altered, when human subjects inhaled aromatic vapours at such a low level that they said: "they could not smell the substance that was being administered." This experiment in particular clearly demonstrates that the human sense of smell is much more acute than it is normally credited with.

Perfume manufacturers have based their business around the effects that certain perfumes can have on the emotional state of both the wearer and people they come into contact with. Therefore, businesses that worldwide are worth billions of dollars, are largely based on the psychological and emotional effects of fragrance. It is therefore somewhat peculiar that this most important aspect of the use of fragrant plant oils, is not the linchpin of aromatherapy. Rather, most courses insist on dogmatically sticking to the hypothesis that the oils achieve a pharmacological effect by being absorbed through the skin and into the circulation - a fundamentally flawed concept

Skin absorption of essential oils: <—- This would be relevant to PE

I remain extremely sceptical that this is a route by which significant volumes of most essential oils can enter the body. After years of looking at so called ‘scientific’ research, I have failed to find one trial where the methodology used has been adequate (2). Generally researchers have taken no precautions to prevent the inhalation of the volatile molecules. This is the critically important area that I have found time and time again being overlooked by researchers. They always fail to understand the fundamental nature of most essential oils, which is that they are extremely volatile substances. As such, they quickly find their way into the respiratory tract epithelium and thence to the bloodstream.

Currently a lot of theoretical skin biology is being taught in aromatherapy courses. Most tuition is based on theoretical models of how essential oils may be metabolised once they have gained access to the layers of skin where enzymatic reactions are known to occur. As a small number of drugs are now administered in the form of skin patches, this is promoted as being "conclusive evidence" that essential oils are freely absorbed in a similar manner. Yet, even hormone patches require the solution of the hormones in alcohol or other solvents in order to permit their absorption.

Scientific references supplied by various authors about ‘evidence of skin absorption’ frequently refer to experiments of little relevance to aromatherapy such as:

1. Individual fragrance chemicals (usually synthetic) are used - not the WHOLE oil with its hundreds of different chemicals. (3).

2. The substance being tested has often been applied under occlusion (covered) (4), which does force the substance into the skin. However, this ignores the fact that when essential oils are used in massage, body heat will quickly evaporate the vast majority of the highly volatile chemicals away from the skin, thus permitting quick inhalation.

The use of a vegetable carrier oil probably makes little difference to the amount of essential oil absorbed by the skin. This is because the volatile chemicals in essential oils evaporate within seconds of application to a warm area. Also, the rate of evaporation from the skin is likely to be substantially enhanced by the heat generated by the massage. I have to remind you that even when using carrier oils you can quickly smell the essential oils used. The mere fact that you can smell them means the vapours are gaining immediate access to the respiratory tract.

3. Of Major importance, is the most fundamental error of all research that I have come across which is that inadequate precautions have been taken to prevent inhalation of the essential oil vapours. I have read all of the paper published by Rommelt et al. in 1974 (5). However in the oft quoted 1974 paper, aromatherapy writers and some scientists, simply overlook the fact that 150 ml. of a Pine bath oil was added to the bath of the subject, and no mention was made of how he breathed. It does not surprise me that he excreted a-b-pinene and camphene for several days. How on earth can anyone compare the effects of 150 mls. with the few drops of essential oils used in the average massage.

This team published a subsequent paper (10) on absorption of essential oil compounds from a bath, but this time inhibiting breathing of the vapours. They subsequently detected fragrance chemicals in the blood. However the use of essential oils in a bath is nothing like the same as their use in aromatherapy massage. In the presence of heat and more importantly humidity, the skin will absorb compounds. Again in this experiment far larger volumes of oil seem to have been used than are used in massage.

The same researchers indicated there might be some absorption of essential oils from ointments. Indeed, there may be a little absorption by this method, but I do not know if the inhalation factor was excluded in any trials. Ointments have an extremely ancient history of being used as local applications for musculo-skeletal problems, but there is little sound data suggesting that the volume of essential oils so absorbed, can have anything other than a localised effect.

I am not aware of any evidence suggesting that enough essential oil is left in the bloodstream to have any effects on other organs. Until experiments are conducted with the people being massaged having an air supply under pressure and from a remote source, then all these tests are unreliable. Interestingly no one in complementary medicine seems interested in sponsoring such a simple trial, I wonder why?

4. In fact, there is far more evidence to support the opposing view, which is that most essential oils are NOT FREELY ABSORBED. Human skin seems to more readily permit the absorption of a number of water soluble plant chemicals such as the nicotine anti-smoking patches - nicotine being a water soluble alkaloid unrelated to essential oils. Many National pharmacopoeias contain formulations for lotions, creams and ointments for painful conditions such as sciatica, neuralgia & arthritis based on water soluble plant alkaloids. There is however little evidence to support the theory that human skin will readily permit the passage of the lipid (fat) soluble portions of plants - barring a few exceptions. In traditional medicine we find few examples of plant oils being used for anything other than localised treatments. Fixed and volatile plant oils have always been used principally for cosmetic and skin care purposes.

Of utmost importance, is not if essential oils are absorbed into the superficial dead layers of the skin, as clearly this does occur. But, does sufficient find its way into the body via the skin to have any clinical effects? My investigations of dermatological literature have led me to the following conclusion: When a few natural chemicals in essential oils are absorbed by the skin, with a few exceptions, it is found that those same essential oils are well documented as causing adverse dermal and systemic reactions. This seems to me to indicate that many essential oils are alien to the immune system when they are taken into the body via the skin.

I offer the following evidence on skin absorption or the lack of it:

The monographs published by the R.I.F.M. provide the following unless indicated. There is insufficient space to give full references, but they are available in their monographs. I must add here, that even where absorption of volatile chemicals has been indicated, without exclusion of the inhalation factor the results must still remain questionable.

Note on the chemicals below: Frequently these are lab grade synthetic chemicals.
Absorption tests are via the skin of animals, but of note is that human skin is far less permeable than animal skin.

CHEMICALS - ABSORBED:

Benzyl acetate, benzoic acid, camphor, d-carvone, cinnamic acid, coumarin, para-cymene, d-limonene, methyl salicylate, a-phellandrene, terpineol, a -b -pinene & camphene.

With d-limonene only 3% was absorbed in vitro across isolated human skin, while in rats the figure was 6%. (6). Note: One probably gets higher levels of d-limonene in the blood from eating orange flavoured drinks, candies, cakes, liqueurs, etc.

CHEMICALS - NOT ABSORBED:
linalool within 2 hours of application. (7)
d-pulegone in pennyroyal.
carvacrol in some thymes and mints.
eugenol, isoeugenol & methyl benzoate in clove, tuberose and ylang.
fenchone in anise, fennel & some lavenders.
geraniol in geranium & palmarosa.

WHOLE ESSENTIAL OILS - ABSORBED:
Cumin, Tansy.

WHOLE ESSENTIAL OILS - NOT ABSORBED:
Lavender (see reference above on linalool), Tolu balsam oil, Copaiba balsam oil, Parsley seed, Patchouli, Pimenta berry and leaf.

The absorption of aromatic molecules via the nasal passages and lungs:

This method by which aromatic molecules in essential oils gain access to the body has been demonstrated: Rosemary oil vapours were introduced into the atmosphere of caged mice. It was shown that their blood contained a substantial proportion of one of the chemicals present in the inhaled essential oil. This proved the volatile chemicals in essential oils can gain access to the bloodstream in significant amounts if the concentration in the atmosphere is at an appreciable level. (9).

UPDATE: Since the time of writing, trials on humans have confirmed that indeed, significant volume of essential oils do gain access to the blood via the respiratory tract.

As the brain is a ‘blood hungry’ organ then clearly the first port of call for aromatic molecules absorbed via the olfactory epithelium is likely to be the brain. It is of course well known that certain drugs are known to act extremely quickly when they are sniffed up the nose.

CONCLUSION:

I believe it is likely that we get a complexity of effects when essential oils are inhaled:

1) A direct pharmacological effect via the blood supply to the brain.

2) An indirect effect via the olfactory nerve pathways to the brain.

3) The beneficial effects from the massage and the touch receptors.

4) The powerful placebo effect, caused by client therapist interactions.

5) Possibly, a regulation of energy flows via similar pathways to accupressure/acupuncture.

With that kind of bombardment, it’s not surprising that aromatherapy can achieve such excellent results. The therapy is clearly potent at reducing the brains capacity to inhibit the body from carrying out its routine regulating and healing activities.

(1). E. Ernst M.D. et al. 1987, Physiotherapy vol. 73, no. 1. Back to ref 1

(2). J. Buchbauer et al. Jan-Feb. 1992. J. of Am. Soc. of Cosmetic Chemists, 43; 49-54. Back to ref 2

(3). Bronaugh et al. 1990. Fd. & Chem. Box. 28, (5), 369-373. Back to ref 3

(4). Hitchhike et al. 1992. FD.& Chem. Box. 28, (6), 443-447. Back to ref 4

(5). H. Roomette et al. 1974. Munch. Med. Waster. 116, 537. Back to ref 5

(6). S. Hitchhike, St.Mary’s Hospital, London. Published; New Scientist, Jan 1994, p.24-27. to ref 6

(7). Meyer & Meyer 1959, Arzneimittel-forsh 9,516. Back to ref 7

(8). E.J.Lee et al. Arch. Dis. in Childhood 1993,68: 27-28. Back to ref 8

(9). K. Kovar et al. 1987. Planta Medica 53, 315-318. Back to ref 9

(10). H. Roemmelt, H. Drexel and K. Dirnagl Die Heilkunst, Vol 91, no. 5, 1978. Back to ref 10

Original © 1995 Martin Watt. Revised 2006.