Essential oils are distilled from plants and the part of the plants such as seeds, bark, leaves, roots, flowers, fruit, etc. There are many oils on the market that one can choose from. Low quality brand name oils on the market may not produce desired results and at times, can be very toxic to ourselves or our pets. It is your responsibility to take all precautions in choosing the brand of oil that you choose to use for therapeutic reasons.
Essential oils are utilized for three purposes. Adding fragrance to various personal bath and beauty products. cleaning products, candles, laundry, etc. Essential oils are also used to improve a person’s or pets mood or health.
Oils used for enhancing various products are usually compounds that are synthetically made, or they are adulterated oils and have various chemicals, solvents and other toxic additions to the oils.
“Therapeutic Grade”, a term that has offered much controversy over the years in the aromatherapy world. At once honored by some as a recognition to identify a high quality pure essential oil suitable for healing purposes, which has evolved into being a widely overused and mis-used, over the years. We can no longer to determine purity in oils using this term.
Using this term it became a strategy of marketing instead of an identification of a safe and quality oil. That is why it is important to focus on other aspects of the oil and the company to determine if is is truly a high quality oil.
A high quality oil should ensure purity, be free of additives, or any adulterated (made less pure) process, or any other chemicals or contaminants have not been added. It should be distilled at proper temperatures along with timing of distilling and harvesting each oil, is safe use for skin, aromatherapy and pets.
It is important to know that ‘therapeutic grade’, ‘medicinal grade’, ‘aromatherapy grade’, ‘certified therapeutic grade’ or ‘veterinarian grade’ are labels that have been assigned by different oil companies (or individuals) for the purpose of distinguishing the quality of their oils. However, there is no governed body that monitors the labeling of these titles. Just as the term ‘natural’ is grossly misused on our food labels, because there is no governed standard to meet such a labeling.
Although, there are certainly food companies that truly and honestly package nothing but natural in their product, while there are others that slap on that label with no guideline as to how they need to live up to such a label.
So what is PURITY when it comes to looking at an essential oil? Here are some points that would be important to consider when choosing a pure essential oil. This list may not include all important points to consider. I also hope to add more to the list, as the information comes in. You are also welcome to add or correct any findings you may have by filling out the contact form on this website.
They contain the actual living plant, without adding synthetic or other additives
2. Understand that quality can be related to pure, it does not always mean the same thing. Be careful to decipher a play on words with marketing strategies or a truthful intent with the words. Understand the each essential oil is compromised of many constituents. Each batch may offer a purity result but due to the natural variations with the components (no synthetics or additives) of each oil. This is natural and in essence is a sign of a purity product. For example, one bottle of Lavender from the same company, may smell differently when compared to another bottle of Lavender from the same company.
3. The soil that the plant is grown in, how it is grown, the harvesting and the distilling methods of each plant determine the purity of each oil. Understand that each oil is harvested and distilled differently to maintain the living compounds of that plant.
4. Using a Gas Chromatography to test for the purity of each batch of distilled oil. Some companies have the integrity to discard any oils that do not pass the purity tests.
5. There is also organizations that have outlined standards and created guidelines for certification of high-quality, pure essential oils. Such as; International Organization for Standardization (ISO), National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) and Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists (CFA). However, there is no requirement by any company to meet these guidelines.
As you can see it is more complex then just slapping a label on a bottle to determine if an essential oil truly is pure and safe for use.
In order for safe application of your oils on yourself and your pets and to achieve desired health benefits from essential oils it is important to choose a high quality and pure essential oil.
Low quality essential oils can cause side effects and even cause serious health results such as irritations, adverse effects, sickness and even death. Pure essential oils are necessary to receive the many healing abilities of the oils. Poor quality essential oils can be ineffective and harmful.
Also understand that there are different models of aromatherapy, which offer completely different views and practices. The British, French & German model (brief overview of the aromatherapy models will be discussed later).
Here is a list of criteria that you can use in helping you determine if your brand choice of essential oils are indeed a quality oil safe for use with pets and people to be used for healing purposes. Presently without standards in place (except USDA Organic labels) it is the consumer’s responsibility to determine the quality of your essential oil and the safe use of the oils on yourself or your pets.
Below is a guideline of how to choose your essential oils for healing. The more criteria you can meet with the list below, the higher the quality and grade of essential oil it will be. (not in order of priority)
The genus and species name of the plant should be listed on the bottle
Essential Oils should be bottled in a dark bottle that is sealed until opening
Price. Determine the market value of the oil you are interested in. If it ranks at a much lower price than oils from competing top quality suppliers, then you are probably looking at an oil that does not offer any purity.. The old saying “you get what you pay for”, runs as true to form as with any other product or service.
Buy from a reputable source. Street vendors, grocery stores, gift shops, etc. are low quality adulterated oils primarily used for fragrance purposes. Synthetically produced oils are in many products and are now widely used in various forms. Which might include colognes, perfumes, beauty products, cleaning products, plug in’s, aroma sticks, in dish and laundry detergents, and the list is wide and long. It is less expensive for a company to add synthetic essential oils that to add a truly pure essential oil that is actually derived from a plant with not additives. They are not going to go through the whole process of where it is grown, how it is distilled, how or when it is harvested, to add to their detergent products. So, when a label on a dish detergent bottle says, ‘Essential Oils’ recognize they are using adulterated and/or synthetically used oils. Its less expensive to do so! Oils used for fragrance purposes are not intended for using as a health benefit to heal.
Does the company know the source(s) of it’s oil and how each source produces their oil? Can they track the farm where the oil was from?
Does it have an expiration date (usually oils that have expiration’s on their bottles is due to adding other ingredients to the product, which is what you DO NOT want). High quality pure essential oils if stored correctly will not effect the effectiveness of the oil. This will also be determined by the quality of oil you have purchased and how you have stored your oil(s). Exposed conditions such as to heat, light and oxidation (exposed to oxygen). Oils should be stored in a cool, dark place to preserve the quality. of the oil. Low quality oils are more prone to oxidation. There is one exception to this rule. Citrus, wood and root oils tend to be more prone to oxidation and the quality may degrade over time. Over time they be less effective.
7. Plants are harvested at different times of the year and based on weather
conditions so will be slightly different from batch to batch. Also note that
companies with integrity will run out of certain oils from time to time.
Sometimes for months at a time. This is a sign that they are using actual plants
For they are using essential oils and not mass producing synthetically produced oils.
8. Are the oils 3rd party tested by Independent labs and why is this important?
Lab testing can test for harmful chemicals, additives and contaminants.Independent lab testing allows for transparency so that the consumer can make an informed decision. This testing determines the quality of the oil which is important if using oils for the purpose of healing or internal use. With a lab test you can verify the consistency of claims the company is making with the results of the lab tests. This protects the consumer. It’s also important that they are using 3rd party labs that are independent of the company so there is no conflict of interest involved.
9. Does your essential oil company grow and distill it’s own plants/herbs?
Essential oil companies may source out their oils to other smaller farms, as well as grow some of their own plants/herbs. With each outside source adhering to the standards of that company.
Outsourcing allows the company to provide more production at lower costs. They may choose farms that have an expertise and knowledge resulting in more production. Allowing on outsourced several farms they can diminish risks with plant failures such as weather, disease, or pests. This also supports sustainable farming practices and provides communities with jobs and teaches environmental practices.
10. The distilling is an extraction process of oils that is a very delicate matter. It is a balance of temperature (low), pressure (low), heat source, filters, collection carriers, the cooking chamber itself (should be a non-reactive metal) and timed processes. Each oil is distilled or extracted differently. There is steam, water & straight steam distillation while others are cold pressed. Low pressure, low temperature ensure the pH and polarity are not altered. Solvent extraction involves shorter periods of time distilled and steamed resulting in a cheaper essential oil that is not pure, but may still have plant material that smells similar to a pure essential oil. This distillation process can be repeated again and again to product more essential oil. This produces a very poor quality and weak essential oil.
11. Is your essential oil company listed as one of the top reputable companies ?
What classifies an essential oil company as reputable?
As mentioned in the previous lists, the company is transparent, 3rd party tests, high quality plants are used from where and how it is grown to how it is processed. Quality control is ongoing. Customer satisfaction and service are important. They provide education about how to use the oils. They use sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
12. Safety information should be on the bottle (see #15 for more detail)
13. Organic essential oils are considered pure essential oils that are sourced from live organic plants, herbs, flowers, shrubs, trees, etc. They are free of GMO (genetically modified organisms), they do not use pesticides or herbicides, including glysophate (known to be a carcinogen chemical). They utilize natural farming practices to fertilize the plants and promote a ecological balance of the soils. Keep in mind there are many essential oil providers that do not offer the USDA organic or organic label but are offering a quality pure essential oil without chemicals or pesticides.. There are farmers that produce organic essential oils but do not have the official label due to the high cost of certifying their products with that label. It is up to you to do the research on the company.
Plants, flowers, shrubs, trees directly from nature
14. Different Models of Aromatherapy is the English, French and German model. There also is the model of self-selection for using oils with pets. Allowing the animals to choose what oil is best for themselves. Not a well known method but interesting view that people have been trained in. (Nayana Morag has several books out on using essential oils for pets) Each of these models may differ in their standards of what a pure essential oil is.
The French model with an emphasis on medical aromatherapy, advocates the ingestion and neat (undiluted) topical application of therapeutic grade essential oils. In France, aromatherapy is a specialized field of medicine. They focus on the spiritual and energy aspects of essential oils. Utilizing it with such therapies as Reiki and medication. Up until 1990, all phyto-aromatic prescriptions filled by pharmacists were reimbursed by the government health care system. Today that policy is determined by each province within France.
The British model advocates diluting a small amount of essential oil in a carrier oil and massaging the body for the purpose of relaxation and relieving stress. They use oils for physical and emotional benefits, utilizing them with complementary therapies.
A third model of aromatherapy comes from the Germanic countries – Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Known as the German model, it focuses on inhalation of essential oils for healing purposes. They generally do not apply topically at all, and certainly do not consider ingestion.
In the United States, we can and do incorporate all three models for therapeutic use of essential oils. Each model has its purpose and strengths depending on the oil used and the effects desired.
15. The most adulterated essential oils on the market today. Lavender, Bergamot, Lemon, Tea Tree and Frankincense. Check for a warning label. If it is a quality oil one way is to see if there is safety label.
Warning label and safety labels differ. Warning labels will list potential hazards such as ingesting or doing a patch test on your skin.
Safety labels will inform you about how to store your oils or safe usage of your oils.
Choosing high-quality essential oils isn't just about finding pleasant aromas—it's about ensuring the safety and well-being of both you and your pets. By being diligent in your selection process, from researching reputable brands to understanding the sourcing and testing of oils, you can confidently use essential oils for their therapeutic benefits. Remember, not all oils are created equal, and the term "therapeutic quality" is often used loosely. Prioritize safety by making informed decisions, and you'll be able to harness the full potential of essential oils in a way that supports health and wellness for both you and your beloved pets.
By Diana Wanamaker
This website (Peacock Pet Cafe) and all web/blog pages associated with it is under copyright protection. All rights reserved and all texts is intellectual property,
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