This is going to be an article that ticks people off – and some of those people will be my own readers. I'm sorry for offending you, but it's got to be said. I don't sell essential oils on my website and it's for a very good reason.

It's because there are so many people out there recommending them who have no idea what they're talking about. And then, in turn, people who have no idea what they're doing use those products, often to their detriment.

They got a kit for $200 (or whatever the price is now) that contained a book that told them what all these magical concoctions will do for you.  After reading the book, they know exactly what you need to purchase and dab into your belly button to heal your issues. Many of these distributors are recommending essential oils often in place of prescription medication or therapy by a practitioner who has invested tens of thousands of dollars into years of education.

Hey, I love natural remedies, but I also know there's a time and a place for doctors and pharmaceuticals, too. Even though I know of a couple of bloggers that make – are you sitting down – over half a million dollars per year selling essential oils in an MLM – you're not going to see me doing it.

I'm missing out big-time on that income but I can't do it in good conscience.  I don't want to encourage someone "downstream" who doesn't know what they're talking about to get involved in becoming an essential oil evangelist who gives terrible advice.

So, if I'm writing up a piece on making cleaning products or shower bombs, I might have an affiliate link that'll earn me 50 cents, but I'm not ever going to join a company that encourages irresponsible recommendations.

I'm absolutely not saying that all the websites out there making money from essential oils are bad or that they don't know what they're talking about. A lot of these site owners are very knowledgeable.

But the purpose of an MLM (multi-level marketing) company is for the seller to get people under her to also sell products (from which she gets a cut.) And anyone who can cough up the cost of the starter kit can sell them. There's no test, there's no resume required, and nobody has to provide references. Literally anyone can be out there dispensing medical advice because they got a kit and a book.