Bygone Bugz™
Testimonials and Commentary~Safe for Children and the Chemically Sensitive

We originally developed Bygone Bugz(tm)Herbal Outdoor Formula to fill a niche in the market for a natural repellent that was completely non-toxic. We knew that there was no need to use essential oils with liver damaging components such as cedarwood or pennyroyal, or that might cause uterine contractions such as pennyroyal, or those that might cause an increase in blood pressure such as citronella often associated with lightheadedness or inflammation of delicate skin. These two testimonials, one from 2002 and a recent testimonial speak to this gentle yet effective product. Thanks to our customers for these helpful testimonials.

I am a scout leader and have used your Bygone (Bugz) Herbal Outdoor (Formula) for many years and have found a lot of people asking me to supply it to them. I have sent it to friends and used the product in Florida as well. My wife and I are actively involved with youth and the outdoors . . .Victoria is in the middle of the rainforest...and I have tested your product on lots of bugs.

Best Regards, RW. 12/30/2008

BYGONE IS NOT ONLY SAFE FOR CHILDREN, CUSTOMERS WITH MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES HAVE BEEN USING THE PRODUCT FOR YEARS.

Tracy Atchison submitted the following Bygone Bugz(tm) testimonial to the publication CanaryNews (http://www.mcshealthenviron.org/freeCN.htm) a newsletter for the chemically sensitive. 

"Tracy Atchison writes to tell us of a "wonderful bug repellent" by Lakon Herbals, called "Bygone Bugz", which does have essential oils but no citronella or pennyroyal. "I'm very sensitive to essential oils, yet I tolerate this well because of the small amounts of each." "It works in southeast Arizona, and it repels mosquitoes and no-seeums! I love it! In six years of looking for something I could use that wasn't chemical, I finally found this."(March 2002).

Many of our customers have chemical allergies or are chemically sensitive, but find they can still use our products. Often a customer will report that they are allergic to essential oils but find they can use our products even though they contain the same essential oil. Our response to this is that we think that the problem they are having with other products is not the botanical essential oil but other ingredients that may not be disclosed on the product label. Many essential oils are not pure or genuine. Many are extended with chemical adulterants or non-organic, non-pure vegetable oils, or, are extracted with solvents such as hexane or petrol. It is also a common practice in the industry to extend essential oils with a vegetable oil, mineral or a water based surfactant or emulsifier. Essential oils are not miscible in water; therefore, if a drop is placed in a cup of water it should float on the top...if it is unadulterated. If it produces a cloudy or milky reaction then the oil has been extended or treated with an emulsifier or surfactant. Another common industry practice is to extend essential oils with ethyl alcohol. There should be no trace of an alcohol odor in a pure essential oil or pure botanical product.

With the increased customer interest in pure botanical products, manufacturers are anxious to get in on the growing market. Thus follows the inevitable consequence of diluting through adulteration to increase profits. Manufacturers have and will continue to use chemical adulterants to extend the pure essence as long as they can get away with it. Pure, genuine and complete essential oils processed by steam distillation and which have not been adulterated, extended or blended, should not ordinarily trigger an allergic reaction in a chemically sensitive individual, unless that individual has an existing allergy to one of the naturally occurring organic components of the botanical. There is the possibility for allergic reaction to certain products containing essential oils if the essential oil in the product has been deterpenated (separation of the terpenes), a common practice in the food and perfumery industry. Deterpenation chemically alters the natural chemistry of the oil and in some cases can cause it to be toxic, such as in the case of thyme oil.

The essential oil industry is hundreds of years old. Essential oils can be produced without chemical solvents. The oldest methods involve soaking and boiling the botanicals, which is still preferable and quite effective. However, modern methods such as steam distillation and cold pressing have been perfected and result in high quality, pure, chemical free essences. However, a few essential oils such as jasmine, lilac and lily of the valley are so resinous or volatile that they cannot be successfully steam-distilled; therefore the practice of solvent extraction has become acceptable. These solvents are not chemically pure and often contain toxins that can trigger allergic reactions in the chemically sensitive.

If you find that you have an allergic reaction to a product containing ingredients that would not otherwise aggravate your condition, you might consider contacting the manufacturer and inquiring about their ingredients. You also have the option of contacting the FDA or USDA and urging them to increase the labeling regulations for personal care products. LAKON HERBALS 609-536-2269 www.lakonherbals.com

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