Aromatherapy has been around since ancient Egypt, but over the last decade its popularity has grown exponentially. For those of us that have been die hard aromatherapy fans, it is exciting to have so many great brands offering essential oils. But for every high-quality option, a few less than desirable have snuck in. Time to clear up the confusion!
- Essential oils should not all be priced the same. One quick way to determine if a line is reputable, is that the oils should all be different prices. Citrus oils are plentiful, so they tend to be less expensive. On the other hand, it takes 150 lbs of rose petals to make 1 oz of rose oil, resulting in a higher cost.
- Oils should indicate their botanical name. Shakespeare may have written, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” but in the world of aromatherapy, it is important to look for the botanical name of the oil. Slight variations in breeds can result in a large difference in quality and performance of an oil. Knowing the botanical name and where the plant is grown is key. Simplers Botanical & Ancient Apothecary lines of essential oils clearly list the botanical name on the front of their bottle, so there is no confusion as to which type of essential oil you are using.
- Essential oils should be 100% pure or list their carrier oil. Recent research by independent organizations show that essential oils may be diluted or blended with other less expensive oils to cut costs. High quality oils should have chromatography results to back up their claims. If an oil is blended, it should clearly indicate the carrier oil it is mixed with. Aura Cacia offers a fantastic line of Precious Essential oils, featuring higher cost oils blended with jojoba oil. Jojoba makes an exceptional carrier, as it will never go rancid. All bottles clearly indicate that the oils are blends.
- Distillation methods matter. The type of distillation equipment, the method and the time of distillation all play a part in the quality of an oil. “All flowers must be steam distilled on site,” reports Cindy, Bradley Fair HABA buyer. “If they are transported, they will rot and the oil will be compromised.” Now Foods clearly lists the extraction method on each bottle of oil and the team at Aura Cacia visits each growing site for their oils and connect with farmers to ensure high standards for all their oils.
- Certification matters. As oil brands have been introduced into the marketplace, standards have been raised. Several companies now offer certified organic and non-gmo verified options. Certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified third-party certifications aren’t easy to achieve, but well worth the effort to ensure that essential oils are clean and without added carrier oils or synthetic ingredients. GreenAcres proudly carries Nature’s Answer & Garden of Life lines of essential oil. 100% of their oils are certified organic and Non-GMO.
While it is great news there are lots of options for high quality essential oils, it is important to understand not all oils are created equal. One of the most important tools you can use is your own nose. Over time, you will quickly be able to tell the difference between a high quality and lesser quality essential oil. Your nose knows! Stop in at GreenAcres today and discover the high-quality pure essential oils and blends we offer for your aromatherapy needs.
