If you've been following this series you've been armed with the right questions to ask when checking out an essential oil company, as well as the warnings you should be seeing for ten popular essential oils.
Some of you have been disappointed in the lack of transparency when it comes to essential oil safety precautions, and don't blame you!
As a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist who doesn't sell essential oils, I'm going to address why it matters that a company provides proper safety info, and what to do about it. I'm also going to touch on GC/MS and third-party testing, and the myth that "you get what you pay for."
And at the end of the episode we'll talk about what the term "therapeutic grade" means - and why it was banned. |
When Essential Oil Companies Fail You (How to Choose the Best Essential Oil Brand Part 5)
You may be asking why it matters if the information provided is safe, as you don't have to follow their unsafe usage recommendations.
While this is true, and you can certainly use any brand of essential oil safely, a company that provides unsafe usage recommendations points to something greater – lack of education about aromatherapy that can spill out into areas that can affect the product itself.
For example, without proper training, a company may not realize essential oils have a shelf life and need to be stored properly. I have come across more than one company that believes essential oils do not expire, and I choose not to do business with them, as I don't want to end up with oxidized oils. Other companies may not store their essential oils in a cool place before shipping your product to you, which can also shorten shelf life.
It also reflects the fact they are strictly a business focused on marketing and selling a product they know little to nothing about. This leads to customers getting hurt because they purchased essential oils they had no idea were carcinogenic, phototoxic, unsafe for use while they're pregnant, or unsafe to use with their children and pets.
Remember, we have lots of options and can be as picky as we want when making this decision.
So what is GC/MS testing and what do I mean by "3rd party testing"?
A GC/MS test stands for "gas chromatography/mass spectrometry" and is a method that combines both tests to identify different constituents in essential oils and other substances. It is a good sign when a company sends out samples of their supplier's essential oil batches for testing to verify purity before selling to customers. A 3rd party chemist is a wise choice, rather than in-house testing, to prevent bias.
Since I hosted a 3rd party testing a dozen years ago (with much global attention as some of you may remember!), more and more companies are claiming to offer these tests. Keep in mind that just because a company tests an essential oil, does not mean the essential oils have passed. Ideally, a company will provide these GC/MS reports on their website so you can see the reports for yourself before you buy.
And if you're curious about those test results, refer to Part 1 of this series.
Does a high price indicate high quality?
Although “you get what you pay for” is true in most cases, you really can't make a decision on price alone when it comes to essential oils. There are a few affordable essential oil brands out there that are also high quality. Likewise, you can pay a lot for an essential oil and not get a better product. For example, our first round of 3rd party testing showed a $15 bottle of Myrrh was as good or better than the $69 and $85 bottles.
If a company is using consultants to sell their products, they need to add commissions to the cost of the essential oil, which can inflate the price by 40% or more. It goes without saying (yet here I am - saying it!) if you are in your local drug store and you see a row of essential oils all with the exact same price (I saw that!) avoid them. Frankincense does not cost the same as Eucalyptus and Tea Tree.
So let's talk about "therapeutic grade."
Most of us have heard the term "therapeutic grade" - but what does it mean?
When I was new to essential oils a dozen years ago, this one never made sense to me. Essential oils are supposed to be therapeutic - right? All essential oils are, by definition, therapeutic - except the toxic ones, of course.
Not only that, there are no “grades” of essential oil. There isn't a governing body reviewing essential oils and determining the quality (that's what GC/MS reports are for!).
I've always taught that if a company is claiming to have special “therapeutic grade” essential oils that are superior to all other brands, consider that a huge red flag. Any certification in this area is self-certification and not from a neutral party.
Annd the FDA agrees with me and has sent letters to the companies who were using this term and told them to stop. And they did.
The next and final episode of the series will discuss pre-made blends. Should you buy blends made by companies who don't even warn you when an essential oil is blood thinning or unsafe for kids? Are they effective? We'll find out...
If you found this helpful, share with a friend so we can use essential oils safely together.
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DISCLAIMER: You may have a serious health issue that requires medical attention. The information provided is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking care because of something you have read here. Read full disclaimer here.
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