Why no oil in eliquid? Medical studies suggest it might be good for us.

[imogene]

Why no oil in eliquid?

Why the recommendation not to use any oil at all in eliquid?

I researched on scholar.google.com for studies on potentially harmful or healthful additives, such as vitamins. The only positive evidence I could find from research done on inhaled substances that have been steam vaporized are all about various positive effects from certain essential oils. However, I've read on this board that it's not recommended to ever use any oils at all in ecigs. From some of the medical research, it might be beneficial to add one drop of essential oil to a large bottle of blending solution, so that I can experience the benefits of steam inhalation.

Some examples of some interesting medical studies I've found

Antibacterial activity of essential oils and their major constituents against respiratory tract pathogens by gaseous contact
Antibacterial activity of essential oils and their major constituents against respiratory tract pathogens by gaseous contact -- Inouye et al. 47 (5): 565 -- Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy

On valerian root to cure insomnia via inhalation
SpringerLink - Journal Article

(BTW, the largest amount of research I found on any topic discussed at length here on these forums is the frightening amount of research on the dangers of wool fibers in the lungs. I would NOT recommend that method!!!!)

I think I need to clarify that I'm not talking about vaping straight oil, a concentration that would be not only unpleasant, but possibly very harmful! I'm talking about one or two drops into a 1/2 oz bottle of blending fluid, PG, or VG.

 

[Rogue X2 v2]

There are good oils and bad oils -- both for ingesting, not so for the atty!

I thoroughly enjoy eating bacon. Wouldn't even try vaping it!

 

[Father Luke]

Like Rogue X2 v2 alluded to: It clogs yer atterys.

- -
Okay,
Father Luke

 

[SLDS181]

The big reason is that oil will gum up the atomizer. There are other types of vaporizers for oil - these aren't it.

EDIT: I could see using oil with what is apparently the new model of the 510, which uses a foil lined cart - the liquid never touches the atomizer, so there I could see it being ok. But they aren't available yet to see how well they are working.

<<<<< will be ordering one

 

[imogene]

The big reason is that oil will gum up the atomizer. There are other types of vaporizers for oil - these aren't it.

EDIT: I could see using oil with what is apparently the new model of the 510, which uses a foil lined cart - the liquid never touches the atomizer, so there I could see it being ok. But they aren't available yet to see how well they are working.

<<<<< will be ordering one

What is the new foil lined model called?

 

[SLDS181]

What is the new foil lined model called?

I think some people have said it was a 510A - its not out yet.

 

[imogene]

I think some people have said it was a 510A - its not out yet.

I'd definitely be interested in that! I've seen other vaping tools that would certainly be more useful for vaping oils dispersed into water, but they all looks like ray guns from 1950s Sci Fi movies, or worse, like illegal drug devices that start with "B" and end in "ong". Not something I'd actually carry around and use.

I think I need to clarify that I'm not talking about vaping straight oil, a concentration that would be not only unpleasant, but possibly very harmful! I'm talking about one or two drops into a 1/2 oz bottle of blending fluid, PG, or VG.

 

[Kate51]

I'd definitely be interested in that! I've seen other vaping tools that would certainly be more useful for vaping oils dispersed into water, but they all looks like ray guns from 1950s Sci Fi movies, or worse, like illegal drug devices that start with "B" and end in "ong". Not something I'd actually carry around and use.

I think I need to clarify that I'm not talking about vaping straight oil, a concentration that would be not only unpleasant, but possibly very harmful! I'm talking about one or two drops into a 1/2 oz bottle of blending fluid, PG, or VG.

Hi imogene, I just had a very bad experience with an essential oil flavored with caramel. From Perfumer's Apprentice. In all fairness, these oils are made more for diffusers, it smelled lucious but killed all my vapor and made for very excessively oily liquid. Very tiny bit of flavor when vaporized. Was totally unpalatable for PV use. They do make abosolutes from various plants, maybe check out some of those, but again I would be a little skitterish about using in e-juices. Some made more for cold vaporizers or other expensive inhalers. ong's, if you will!

 

[fantasia]

I am also confused about the "no essential oils -- they will kill your atty" admonition. Most eo's are really volatile -- they evaporate at room temperature unless they are mixed into something else. So I am not sure why they would gum up anything. Try an experiment, put a drop of eo on a regular piece of paper, usually it will evaporate and leave no trace. If it leaves no trace, why would it gum up your atty? If it leaves an oily trace, it's probably not pure eo.

Some eo's are not pure eo's -- they are eo's mixed in with something else -- some of the more expensive eo's come this way, and some eo's are not really eo's -- things like frankincense are actually resins and they have to be made into "eo" by solvent extraction. Those would probably gum up an atty, but most regular eo's shouldn't.

You can usually mix pure eo's with alcohol (that's perfume) or oils (other types of stuff like massage oil) How much eo are people trying to vape? I wouldn't try drops of eo straight from the bottle, a lot of eo's are toxic used straight from the bottle. You are supposed to dilute them for use. So for instance, one drop of most eo's would probably be too much for a 5ml bottle of vg or pg /alcohol base -- you would be better off making it up in a larger batch
like 30 ml or even more. They are really really concentrated. Good quality eo's are expensive but when you use them right they go a long long way.

Anhyways, excepting the ones that are solvent produced, and the toxic ones that should never be taken internally, you still have hundreds of volatile eo's that I suspect might be good for vaping. When I get my 510, I'll experiment. If I kill an atty it will be a lesson well learned.

 

[imogene]

Hi imogene, I just had a very bad experience with an essential oil flavored with caramel. From Perfumer's Apprentice. In all fairness, these oils are made more for diffusers, it smelled lucious but killed all my vapor and made for very excessively oily liquid. Very tiny bit of flavor when vaporized. Was totally unpalatable for PV use. They do make abosolutes from various plants, maybe check out some of those, but again I would be a little skitterish about using in e-juices. Some made more for cold vaporizers or other expensive inhalers. ong's, if you will!

I wouldn't try vaping an oil that wasn't made for human consumption! Lorannoils.com carries several types of essential oils that are meant for food, and I thought I would try those. They are called "Food Grade" essential oils.

I have been experimenting with just one drop of "vitamin e oil" in an my cart, just to see how long it takes before my atty dies. Tastes quite nice. I'll probably add a little essential oil as soon as it arrives!

 

[imogene]

I should update this post with my latest medical journal find: Yes, scientists at least one study has shown that taking Vitamin E by inhalation increases the presence of the vitamin in the lungs and blood, by more directly adding the vitamin to the bloodstream.

Unfortunately, I just did something super-dumb and I broke my "experimental" atty that I had been using with Vitamin E oil to see how long it would take to clog it. Doing an unrelated experiment, it no longer will get hot, so I'll have to start over with a different atty when I get a new one (don't want to use an old atty for this experiment, want clean evidence).

 

[imogene]

I am also confused about the "no essential oils -- they will kill your atty" admonition. Most eo's are really volatile -- they evaporate at room temperature unless they are mixed into something else. So I am not sure why they would gum up anything. Try an experiment, put a drop of eo on a regular piece of paper, usually it will evaporate and leave no trace. If it leaves no trace, why would it gum up your atty? If it leaves an oily trace, it's probably not pure eo.

I'm going to try and find out for sure if a food grade essential oil will ruin an atty, as soon as I resupply!

 

[imogene]

Update on Vitamin E oil experiment:

The atty wasn't broken at all! However, after puffing on my vitamin E formula for a while, the flavor turned on me. After a while, it went from a pleasant nutty aftertaste to horrible. And it stayed. I had to use soap and water to get the horrible flavor out of the atty. Thankfully, I also now have proof that the metal screen washes easily, even with soap and water. I'm using the same atty and metal cart filler now, and the bad flavor is gone, so my equipment still works just fine.

BTW, the vitamin e oil dispersed totally when I added a drop of it to my homemade concoction. Too bad it doesn't work, I have to throw it out!

I'm still planning on trying a food grade essential oil. It might behave differently.

 

[kellie]

Update on Vitamin E oil experiment:

The atty wasn't broken at all! However, after puffing on my vitamin E formula for a while, the flavor turned on me. After a while, it went from a pleasant nutty aftertaste to horrible. And it stayed. I had to use soap and water to get the horrible flavor out of the atty. Thankfully, I also now have proof that the metal screen washes easily, even with soap and water. I'm using the same atty and metal cart filler now, and the bad flavor is gone, so my equipment still works just fine.

BTW, the vitamin e oil dispersed totally when I added a drop of it to my homemade concoction. Too bad it doesn't work, I have to throw it out!

I'm still planning on trying a food grade essential oil. It might behave differently.

You might wanna try these alot of great flavors but I haven't had the money to try them my mom is in hospice so it's been rough the past couple of weeks