It’s been a while since I discussed essential oils on the blog. I’ve spent the last few months reading about different essential oils and I’ve even taken a seriously scientific course that covered several popular oils. With this in mind, I’ve come up with 5 Important Things to Know About Essential Oils that will help you make informed decisions.

To begin with, most likely you’ve seen lots of information {and, mis-information} out there regarding essential oil recipes and miracle cures. While I’ve personally seen EO’s provide excellent results, I am in no way convinced that they are a cure for everything.

So, I thought I would share a few facts, dispel a lot of hooey, and make you a more informed Essential Oil consumer.

1. Definition of an Essential Oil

What exactly is an Essential Oil and how is it made? An essential oil is a volatile* oil that comes from a plant. Have you ever plucked a few rosemary leaves and then rubbed them between your fingers? That strong rosemary scent is the plant’s essential oil. The plant produces it in order to attract pollinators, keep away predators, and protect itself from disease. *Volatile refers to how quickly the oil disperses into the air.

The Essential Oil that you purchase in a small bottle is the product of a plant that has been concentrated using one of three methods:

• Steam Distillation (most EO’s use this method to extract the oils)
• Cold Pressed (used for many citrus oils)
• Solvent Extraction (best used in perfumed products)

Steam distillation, by far, produces the highest quality essential oil and is the preferred method for extracting oils from plant roots, leaves, bark, and flowers.

The cold pressing method used for most citrus oils (lemon, grapefruit, orange, etc.) extracts the oils from the peel.

Solvent extraction uses both toxic and non-toxic solvents to extract essential oils. While most of the solvents should evaporate during the process, there is also the possibility of some trace amounts remaining. The price of solvent-extracted oils is significantly lower and, they are suitable for fragrance-related products.

When considering the purchase of any essential oil it is extremely important to know the method used for any oil’s extraction.

2.What Makes a High Quality Essential Oil?

The answer to this question is so complicated and really needs explaining.

• Botanical Names: When considering an essential oil purchase it is vital that you be familiar with the botanical Latin name of the plant from which the oil is extracted.For example, say you are searching for lavender oil and you come upon Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)  and Spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia). Lavender oil  (Lavandula angustifolia) has very calming properties and is one of the safest oils available. Spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia) is not ~ it is used for circulatory issues, helps with mucus, and can cause redness to the skin. Totally different oils from totally different plants which just happen to share the same first name. Always be familiar with the botanical name of any oil you plan to use.
• Dilution: A quality essential oil is not diluted. Lower quality essential oils can be cut with a carrier oil. Be sure that you are purchasing a 100% pure essential oil that has not been diluted.
• Organics: Again, another tricky question. At its core an essential oil is highly concentrated. Because of this, any pesticides used on the plant could also be concentrated in the final oil. However, there are many, many essential oils from plants that are wild-harvested or grown without chemicals (like Frankincense) and won’t have an organic certification but are very safe to use. This is where you need to trust your EO supplier. You will want them to have a large measure of control over the plant source.

3. Are EO’s Safe?

That’s kind of the million dollar question that doesn’t really have a yes or no answer. When you inhale or topically apply an essential oil it will enter your bloodstream and can bring healing to your body or lift you emotionally. However, once in your bloodstream, your body will still need to process the oil through your liver and kidneys. Therefore, how much oil do you need? How do you know what is the correct amount? How safe is a particular oil?

I am not a physician, chemist, or certified aromatherapist and cannot possibly know how any person will react to a particular oil. Some oils are not safe for children, pregnant women, people with compromised health, and even pets. It is imperative that you seek the guidance of someone who is trained in essential oils before you begin any sort of application. That person is called a Certified Aromatherapist and they will have taken a rigorous course that covers both the chemicals in EO’s and their therapeutic properties. Their certification will be recognized by The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), and the Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA). They are, most definitely, NOT sales people* within a multi-level company that markets essential oils (*unless certified in aromatherapy).

With all that in mind (and assuming you are armed with real knowledge) then some oils are very effective when diluted with a carrier oil and applied topically. Another effective way to use EO’s is by inhalation or diffusing them into the air with a good quality diffuser. EO’s are also very effective in body care and cleaning products, provided they are carefully diluted. Recipes for these applications should come from someone certified in aromatherapy.

I do not under any circumstance recommend ingesting any essential oil. My opinion on this is in line with the international aromatherapy community. It is risky and, if done without caution, can cause irreversible damage to vital organs like your liver or kidneys.

However, ingesting plants and herbs can be super beneficial to your health. A better option for consumption would be herbal teas and tinctures which are equally as effective at restoring the body and much safer for your body to process. A few sources for information and products on herbs, teas, and tinctures are: Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herb Store, and Mountain Meadow Herbs (great source for tinctures).

4. Where to Find High Quality Essential Oils?

I definitely have strong opinions on where one should purchase essential oils. However, I am not here to recommend one provider over another. Instead I want you armed with things to look for when purchasing any essential oil.

• Where is the plant sourced? Who is growing, harvesting, and distilling the oil? Only purchase from a company that knows the answer to this question and is willing to share that information with consumers.
• Is the oil tested for purity using a GC/MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) method and, is this information available for you to see? Once you know some of the main chemical ingredients and their therapeutic properties this information will be invaluable.
• How is the oil stored? It should be kept in dark-colored, airtight glass bottles away from sunlight and stored at a temperature range of 45º-65º.
• Can you purchase small amounts? Because EO’s are so concentrated, a little goes a long way. A half-ounce to one-ounce amount is sufficient for most uses.
• Does the seller share information about where their oils are distilled? Quality sellers will have a relationship with their distillers since distillation is a primary source of an oil’s quality. They may have pictures or videos that show the distillation process.
• Does the seller issue safety warnings with their oils? Do they caution you against certain chemical compounds found in particular oils? For instance, oils that contain the chemical ingredient 1,8 cineole are not recommended for children under age 10. It is imperative that this information be available for oil blends. Not knowing this could cause severe reactions in children. This happened to my niece who has asthma. She reacted to an oil within a blend that was high in 1,8 cineole. Thankfully, no serious damage occurred.
• Does the seller make education a priority? Is there educational information easily available for you to access before you use an oil?
• Does the seller take necessary precautions? Do they make every effort to inform you about the benefits and dangers of each oil you buy. For instance, some oils should not be used on children or pregnant/nursing mothers.
• Does the seller have separate oil blends for children? Not every oil is safe for children and many times a blend will need to substitute with an oil that is safe for children. 

I want to restate here that I am not certified in aromatherapy and am only offering you advice on how to find safe information about the use of essential oils. It is up to you to do your own research and then make decisions based upon your own knowledge. I recommend this Free Introduction to Essential Oils* course for beginners. Scroll to the bottom of the link’s page and you will see the link for a Free Online Intro Class {*affiliate}