Where do I find high quality, genuine and authentic essential oils?
Since I am not an aromatherapist, I have asked myself the same question. I use essential oils in my massage practice and am mindful of using high quality products. No company selling essential oils claims to sell low quality or adulterated essential oils. In my search to understand the fundamental issues when looking for high quality, unadulterated, genuine and authentic essential oils in the market place I look to the experts in the field like Jade Shutes, B.A., Dipl. AT.,Cert. Herbalist and author of “Aromatherapy for Bodyworkers”.
This is what I have learned on my journey. The concept of “Therapeutic Grade” or “Grade A” arose in the 1990’s invented by marketers who wanted to promote their essential oils as superior to other essential oils. Shortly there after other companies quickly joined the band wagon and marketers were successful getting the coined “therapeutic grade” words into the vernacular of the aromatherapy industry. There is no such thing as a “therapeutic grade” or “Grade A,B,C” essential oil line that is universally accepted. And the term “Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade” is nothing more than a registered word mark. There are no universally accepted quality standards for the authentication of essential oils specifically that exist in aromatherapy.
However, there are many therapeutic grade standards. The problem is, which one do you trust? It’s important to realize that all of these standards are internal standards developed by companies selling oils and may or may not include quality control by a third party lab. Furthermore, if a third party lab is used, does this lab really know what they are doing? It’s also important to know what the company defines as being “therapeutic grade” does it simply mean that the oil is pure or does it mean something beyond purity and carry with it a quality standard as well? While many companies promote their own therapeutic grade standard, be aware that there is no universally accepted independent body that certifies essential oils as therapeutic grade.
What is an Essential Oil?
The international organization for standardization (ISO), who is the main certifying body, defines an essential oil as follows:
“An essential oil is a product made by distillation with either water or steam or by mechanical processing of citrus rinds or by a dry distillation of natural materials. Following the distillation, the essential oil is physically separated from the water phase.”
According to Burfield and Kirkham, the ISO does not set standards for differentiating the quality of essential oils, but rather provide specifications for industries to use as a guide to essential oil compositions so new batches could be utilized with minimum alteration in flavour or fragrance to the finished products. An essential oil can be very therapeutic and yet not fall within any acceptable standard.
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So what should I be looking for?
It is a given that most aromatherapy practitioners and home users seek genuine and authentic, plant derived, preferably organic or wild crafted, unadulterated essential oils. Unadulterated simply means no additives, no extenders, no price reducing ingredients, nothing except what was there after distillation or expression which can reduce therapeutic benefits and increase the likelihood of adverse reactions and potentially introduce toxic compounds into the body.
How do I choose a supplier?
Choose a supplier who is dedicated to supplying essential oils to the aromatherapy practitioner market and educated public. A supplier who has a strong unquestioned noncontroversial reputation in the field. And who has preferably been in the field for a number of years and is well-known to other aromatherapy practitioners and educators.
Another very important criteria is using your own ability to smell or sense the ‘quality’ or ‘wholeness’ of an essential oil. To understand and interpret the differences between qualities of essential oils, one must be exposed to different qualities. Even high quality authentic and genuine essential oils have subtle differences and nuances. An essential oil should not just smell good but rather reawaken our sense of smell to the fullness of the aroma. Be willing to explore different companies regardless of their marketing and discover which essential oils speak to you!
I encourage you to follow your own essential oil journey. If you are interested in the essential oils that I use in my massage therapy practice, contact me and I will be happy to provide you a website link.