Quality of Essential Oils

While there are many different factors in determining whether an essential oil is a quality, non-commercial grade essential oil, a commercial grade essential oil, or a synthetic substance, the final analysis lies in "the nose" and the results obtained from using the product. Dr. Jean Valnet has stated:

The quality of essential oils depends on many factors. The process by which a substance is obtained, its state of maturity and preservation and its source are all important. There are "prize localities" for certain essences: Ceylon, for cinnamon, the West Indies for lemongrass, Reunion for thyme, and so on. The yield may vary from one to ten - which is to say that quality in essential oils, as in anything else, has to be paid for...

Of course, quality, non - commercial grade essential oils, even though more costly, are the best to use. The secret is finding a source which can provide them. If you do, treat it with respect as it is almost impossible to find quality, non - commercial grade essential oils. (At least 90% of the production of essential oils are used in the perfuming business.) Some of the information which you should have before purchasing an essential oil for therapeutic use should be contained on the labeling or package insert; the common name of the essential oil, (e.g. Lavender); the Latin name from which plant the oil was obtained (lavendula officinalis), as different plants render different chemotypes of oil which will affect the body in a different way than another chemotype of oil from a similar plant; and the country of origin (France), as there are "prize localities" for certain essences. The glass bottle should be dark or opaque, as light will quickly destroy the properties of the oil. The vendor should, if asked, be able to give you the chemical information concerning the oil, which information may be disclosed on a Material Data Safety Sheet. If an oil, such as Lavender, is listed in the National Formulary, it may be identified as "Lavender NF". If an oil is listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia it may be listed as "(oil) U.S.P.". Some vendors claim that they have tested their oils with gas chromography, a sophisticated device that measures each chemical in a substance. However, adulterated essential oils can fool even the most sophisticated diagnostic testing. So, after all is said and done, smell several "brands" of the same essential oil which you want to purchase and select from it the one that most smells like the flower (or at least fresher and better than the others). Then ask the vendor if there have been any studies done with the particular oil (such as the ones done on the acneic skin or burn, or the EEG study). After all of the foregoing has been considered, make your selection wisely, as the essential oils will be absorbed into your body.

Many vendors are selling to the uninformed public synthetic substances which are claimed to be essential or aromatherapy oils. While they may smell very pleasing, and in many instances better than a true essential oil, these oils have no anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal or any of the other properties of true, quality essential oils. These are the type of substances that should be used in "aromatherapy" candles or incense.

There is a debate pending about the benefits of organic vs. inorganic growing processes. When applied to essential oils, most of the countries from which the oils are obtained do not have the economic means to add the extra cost of the pesticides used to grow plants inorganically. Furthermore, with the "acid rain" problem that exists globally, the question of inorganic vs. organic may be mute. One thing is certain, though, there is still an element of trust necessary to believe in the "organically grown" label, as unless you are there during the entire process from sowing through harvesting the crop and then its distillation process through bottling and distribution, you will never know what you are getting.

Trust your nose after comparing all the essential oils that you can.