EO Facts #4 : Essential Oil Labeling

I am an avid label reader, anyone who shops with me can testify to that fact! When it comes to aromatherapy it sure can be confusing to figure out WHAT is actually in the bottle you are purchasing. In the previous installment of EO Facts I have explained that all aromatherapy is NOT created equal. We must obtain the purest therapeutic grade essential oils if our intention is to use them for medicinal/therapeutic purposes and achieve the results we desire. I have seen many people "quit" aromatherapy because they were using inferior oils that yielded little to no results.

When it comes to labeling, essential oil producers can legally state that the bottle contains "100% pure essential oils" if the bottle does contain SOME essential oils that are 100% pure and the rest of the contents can be who knows what.

A common practice of adulteration or stretching of EOs is the use of essential oils from another similar smelling species of plant or synthetically produced substances created in a lab that mimic certain chemical characteristics of the essential oils.

Remember that it is the chemistry of EOs that gives them their therapeutic properties. True lavender produced according to the therapeutic grade standard contains around 400 different therapeutic molecules. Synthetic lavender contains about 7. We can't expect a product with 393 types of molecules missing to offer the same results as the pure plant oil!

Some examples of essential oil labeling that I have encountered over the years:

• 100% Pure Essential Oil ( how much of it is pure and is it produced for therapeutic use?)
• Certified Organic Essential Oil (grown without pesticides-not necessarily therapeutic quality)
• Analyzed Essential Oil (huh?)
• 100% Natural Essential Oil (natural doesn't mean therapeutic)
• Wildcrafted Essential Oil ( from wild plants, not necessarily therapeutic quality)
• 100% Guaranteed Essential Oil (guaranteed what?)

In the following posts we will explore what sets Young Living Therapeutic Grade essential oils apart from these and other EOs that may even be labeled as "therapeutic grade".

EO Facts #3: What Makes EOs Therapeutic?

Q: What makes an essential oil therapeutic?

It is the chemistry of an essential oil that gives it the therapeutic properties.

Essential oils contain hundreds of different chemical compounds, which in combination, lend important therapeutic properties to the oil.

Although chemists have successfully recreated the main constituents and fragrances of some essential oils in the laboratory, these synthetic oils lack therapeutic benefits and may even carry risks. Also, many essential oils contain molecules and isomers that are impossible to manufacture in the lab. This is one of the main reason why essential oils cannot be classified as "drugs".

Because essential oils are composites of hundreds of different chemicals, they can exert many different effects on the body. For example, clove oil can be simultaneously antiseptic and anaesthetic when applied topically. It can also be antitumoral. Lavender oil, often called the "Swiss Army Knife" of aromatherapy, is beneficial for various uses such as burns, insect bites, headaches, PMS, insomnia, stress, and hair growth.

One very important thing to note is that because of their complexity, essential oils do not disturb the body's natural balance or homeostasis. If one chemical constituent exerts too strong an effect, another constituent may block or counteract it. A great example of the intelligent molecules of plants working in harmonious synergy within the human body to enable healing!

Synthetic chemicals, in contrast, usually have only one action and often disrupt the body's own balance. So, we begin to understand that not all "chemicals" are created equal!

EO Facts #2 : What is Aromatherapy?

Q. What is the true definition of "aromatherapy"?

Currently this term is used to market pretty much any scented item such as candles, potpourri, lotions, and room deodorizers. Its true definition is " the use of essential oils for therapeutic purposes". We will explore the crucial meaning of therapeutic grade essential oils in a future EO Facts post.

There are three different models or frameworks followed in therapeutic treatment using essential oils.

• The English 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.
• The German model focuses on the inhalation of essential oils.
• The French model utilizes the ingestion and neat (undiluted) topical application of therapeutic-grade essential oils.

Note that the majority of aromatherapy books and reference guides available, as well as aromatherapy educators, only promote the English and German models of aromatherapy. The reason for this is largely due to the fact that most EOs commonly sold in health food stores and online are NOT labeled as EO Supplements, and are NOT safe for internal use. If your EOs do not carry this label, don't use the French method.

For an excellent selection of EO Supplements available from Young Living Essential Oils , you may visit my website.

EO Facts # 1: What are Essential Oils?

Q : What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are aromatic volatile (quickly evaporating) liquids that are the end result of plant metabolism, the biological activity of plants. They are synthesized by the plant's chemistry and circulate through the stems, leaves, flowers, and roots. Though called "oils', EOs are not greasy and do not clog pores like many vegetable oils can.

Essential oils give the plant its aroma and flavor. They are "essential" for a plant's survival and a key component of its immune system. Different varieties of plants use EOs to repel unwanted insects, heal the plant when it has been injured, prevent water loss in arid climates, attract bees and other insects that aid in pollination.

Essential oils are stored by plants in oil and resin ducts, hollow spaces and cells. They are found in the leaves and stems of plants, flowers, rinds of fruits, herbs, grasses, and the twigs, bark, needles and resins of trees.

Essential oils are highly concentrated and far more potent than dried herbs. The distillation process is what makes essential oils so concentrated. It often requires an entire plant or more to produce a single drop of distilled essential oil.

Did You Know?

100+ Pounds of eucalyptus leaves = One Pound of Eucalyptus EO

2,000 Pounds of rose petals= One Liter of Rose EO

One drop of peppermint EO = the equivalent of approximately 30 cups of peppermint tea!

Back to Basics

I have decided to add a new weekly posting called EO Facts which will focus on some of the basic aspects of essential oils and aromatherapy. After reviewing my entries from the onset of my blog, I've realized I sort of jumped into posting a lot about the "how to" but have not included much regarding the "what" and "why" of aromatherapy. Some of my readers may be brand new to the concept of using therapeutic essential oils for wellness, so hopefully the EO Facts will be helpful for everyone at different knowledge levels.

Currently I am updating the post labels which will soon be available in alphabetical order on the sidebar for easy reference when looking for a specific topics.

If you are interested in receiving a periodic ezine about essential oils you may subscribe by dropping me an email at JenniferNordin@marketingscents.com

Please feel free to "bug" me with questions you may have or request further information. I enjoy doing personal online aromatherapy consultations and offer them free of charge with no obligation. Young Living is the company that sources my oils and I do receive commission should you decide to purchase which helps cover the cost of this service.