Sourcing
When it comes to sourcing essential oils, the terrain and soil of origin matter. If a field is sprayed with toxic chemicals, or these chemicals are added to the soil, it affects the chemistry of the plants. The distillation process, temperature, and the use of toxic solvents and chemicals for extraction also affect the purity and potency of the essential oil.Variations in the natural chemistry of oils is permitted, as this is a legitimate expression of nature. As one truly studies the art of growing, harvesting, and distilling essential oils, one discovers the grower's craft and the beauty of this expert human art. Today we experience the best tradition in growers' expertise and wisdom handed down through the generations, combined with advancements in science, farming, and distillation practices.
Supplier
When it comes ti healing, choosing a supplier of essential oils who is well known for quality and efficacy is, well, "essential." Every oil has specific constituents, which provide varying levels of therapeutic effects. Therefore, it is necessary to sort through dozens of species of a single plant source, from a myriad of geographical locations, to find the right combination of therapeutic compounds.This is one of the supplier's greatest tasks: to responsibly search the world for the highest quality compounds that produce the best possible essential oils nature can provide. One of the best ways this is accomplished is by creating trusted alliances with honest growers and distillers.
Authenticity
Regulation of therapeutic grade essential oils is limited and standards are minimal. This leaves suppliers to self-regulate quality. The term "therapeutic grade" is simply insufficient to identify a level of quality. There exists, therefore, two very distinctly different views. In one, compromised sourcing is permissible and synthetic addictive are acceptable components. In the other, true holistic healing requires unprocessed oils that are sources directly from nature with nothing added. These strict standards allow the oils to remain rich and complex as nature created them. One should expect to pay a higher price for these genuine, authentic, pure, and potent superior-grade essential oils.
Quality
To be truly therapeutic and superior grade, an essential oil needs to be tested and certified as pure, potent, genuine, and authentic. Each of these terms is important and meaningful in reference to measurements of quality. It is vital to note that although chemists have successfully recreated multiple constituents of plants, they have never replicated a complete essential oil. Why? They simply have not discovered or identified every compound nature produces.
Process
To protect and maintain the highest quality essential oils, plants must be patiently harvested by those who are knowledgeable, honest, and committed to gathering only the "one" specie, and who allow the plant proper maturation time.
After harvesting, the plant material is ready for distillation. In order to carefully extract the precious constituents, this process must be conducted gently, slowly, and skillfully. Quality distillation requires reduced pressure and temperature, protecting these essences from being oxidized or destroyed by excessive heat.
Once distillation is complete, the essential oils are moved to distribution companies or to middlemen, known as brokers. As a general rule, the farther down the supply chain you go, the less likely you are to get pure product. Most companies that sell essential oils have no ability (or in many cases no desire) to verify the quality of the oils they receive from their supplier before they pass it on to their customers. Look for companies that work directly with growers, sources from all over the world.
There is a growing number of products falsely claiming to be an essential oil or to contain essential oils. Too often, these products use fragrant synthetic chemical substitutes to dilute or replace more expensive essential oil extracts. These claims deceive many consumers who believe they are using natural products.
Essential oils are comprised of only three elements: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The molecules in essential oils are derivatives. Essential oils are volatile organic liquids. There are no vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, or hormones in essential oils. Any claim of such ingredients simply reveals the impurity of a product.
Aroma
One of the most telling ways to detect pure, high-quality oils is by the aroma. Superb aroma is earned and is the result of quality plant sourcing, quality distillation processes, and the absence of chemical solvents. Generally, the more pure and "sweet" an aroma, the greater the purity and the better the sourcing.
Supplier Responsibility
It is the distributing company's responsibility to provide the consumer with carefully extracted, pure (to fillers or artificial ingredients) essential oils. Rigorous quality testing, above and beyond the minimum required, helps ensure oils are free of contaminants. Look for companies that verify the quality and purity multiple times prior to making the product available to the consumer, Additionally the distributor is responsible for labeling products according to FDA GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) standards.
Measuring Quality
Measurements of quality fall under specific categories of genuine, authentic, pure, and potent.
Authentic
In the world of essential oils, the term "Authenticity" means:
- The composition of an oil is equal to the plant specified on the label
- The oil is not a mixture of plant species, rather the plant specified.
- The oil is not the product of a mixture of plants or weeds growing alongside the species.
- The oil is comprised of and distilled from only the plant parts clearly identified.
- In total, the oil is characterized precisely so as to clearly identify its healing qualities through consistently occurring compounds.
Genuine
The term "Genuine" is equivalent to the term "Unadulterated," meaning:
- The essential oil is 100 percent natural and contains no addition of any other substances - even other natural substances. It contain NO synthetics, agents, diluents, or additives.
- The essential oil is 100 percent pure and contains NO similar essential oil or hybrid, added to extend supply.
- The essential oil is 100 percent complete and has been fully distilled. Almost all essential oils are distilled in a single process. Ylang Ylang is an exception, as it passes through more than one distillation to be complete. Distillation processes that are disrupted can produce I, II, III, and "extra" essential oil classes.
Pure
Purity alone does not necessarily mean an oil is good quality. A pure oil can be distilled incorrectly or many be obtained from a particular variety of inferior plant species. Additionally, oils may contain contaminants, pesticides, herbicides, solvents,inferior and/or unlabeled plant sources, other unlabeled species, and synthetic compounds. The distillation process may magnify the concentration of these undesirable elements.
Potent
Essentials oils are the most potent form of plant material. The chemical constituents found in the plant material will either increase or decrease the potency of the essential oil. The climate and soil composition affect the potency of plant matter. This is why sourcing an oil from its native habitat is essential.
Personal Responsibility
When it comes to obtaining quality essential oils, the consumer must do his own research, use common sense, exercise prudence, and do what is best for himself and his family. Education is key to becoming a skilled user of these potent plant extracts.
