As a responsible aromatherapist or brand, how do you define the legal and ethical line between 'sharing user experiences' and 'making medical claims' in marketing?

Hey there! As an aromatherapist, let's chat about this topic

Having worked in aromotherapy for years and helped brands with marketing, I've got some solid insights here. Simply put, when promoting essential oils or aromatherapy products, we must carefully distinguish between "sharing user experiences" and "promoting medical claims." This isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s an ethical boundary to avoid misleading people. Let me break it down step by step, like we’re having a conversation.

First, what is "sharing user experiences"?

It’s like chatting with friends about personal feelings. For example:

A user says: "After using lavender oil, I slept better at night and felt more relaxed."
As a brand, we can repost such genuine feedback or share on social media: "Many friends shared that this oil helped ease their daily stress."

Why is this okay? Because it’s subjective—not a guaranteed outcome. It emphasizes "personal feelings," not medical promises. Legally, in China or abroad, sharing non-medical testimonials is often permitted as long as it’s not exaggerated into "treatment."

Now, what is "promoting medical efficacy"?

This crosses the line—it’s essentially selling oils as medicine. For example:

Claiming: "This oil cures insomnia" or "It treats anxiety and depression."
Why is this unacceptable? Essential oils aren’t medicines and lack rigorous medical certification (e.g., approval from drug regulatory authorities). Such claims violate advertising or consumer protection laws, risking fines or product removal.

I’ve seen brands face lawsuits for claiming to "cure skin diseases"—really not worth it. Ethically, it misleads consumers into seeing oils as miracle cures, delaying proper medical care.

How to define the boundary? My practical tips:

Here’s how I operate to stay safe and authentic:

Choose words carefully: Say "may help with relaxation" instead of "treats illness." Avoid terms like "cure," "eliminate," or "prevent."
Add disclaimers: Always include: "This is not medical advice; results vary. Consult a doctor."
Cite evidence without exaggeration: When sharing research, state "studies show lavender has calming properties"—not "it will solve your problem."
Prioritize ethics: Ask: "Would I market this way to my family?" Aim to share aromatherapy’s benefits, not false hope.
Verify legally: In China, refer to the 《Advertising Law》; internationally, check FDA or EU regulations. Consult legal/compliance experts when possible.

In short: Experience-sharing focuses on "feeling better"; medical claims promise "getting better." As aromatherapy practitioners, we must act responsibly—helping people safely enjoy natural wellness. If you have specific examples, I’d be happy to analyze them!