Quality

Question 1

What makes an essential oil “quality”?

Answer 1

• Quality essential oil means genuine essential oil produced in a manner that preserves its chemical components. The chemical constituents of an essential oil work together in a harmonious manner to provide an aromatherapy benefit. There is no one “active” constituent that can be measured to quantify the quality of an essential oil. Therefore, a quality analysis of an essential oil must include a complete picture of all of the constituents to make sure that the right combination is present in the proper range of amounts for that plant and that the constituents are all naturally present in the oil (not added and not synthetic). The oil must have a characteristic appearance and aroma and not be degraded in any way. The combination of constiuents should also show the oil was correctly extracted from the correct species and that the plant was properly cultivated and harvested.
• Quality of essential oils is important to ensure the aromatherapy user is getting the full benefits of the chosen plant. Oils that are made from a different plant, or that have added synthetic constituents, won’t have the same aromatherapy benefit as the true oil. Essential oils that have degraded may include chemical by-products of degradation that are not present in good quality essential oil and may even be harmful or irritating

Question 2

Quality tips for essential oils

Answer 2

• Avoid fragrance oils. Fragrance oils are a combination of various natural and synthetic aroma chemicals, created in the lab by an aroma chemist. Fragrances attempt to mimic the aroma of an essential oil or the aroma of a plant that doesn’t have an essential oil (apple, lilac, gardenia and carnation, for example), or to create an entirely new scent. Fragrances are used in perfumery and to scent all types of products such as toiletries, soaps, room fresheners, paper, tobacco products and paints.
• Fragrance oils that are synthetic versions of expensive essential oils like rose and jasmine are often sold. They are a great way to save money when making a rose-scented potpourri, but fragrance oils are not appropriate for use in aromatherapy.

Question 3

How to ensure that an essential oil is of quality

Answer 3

• The best way to be sure that your store carries only good quality essential oils is to carry oils only from companies that have a quality assurance program in place that will ensure their oils are high quality and authentic.
• The components of a good program are reliable sourcing, clear specifications, sampling, careful handling and rigorous quality testing.

Question 4

Common Adulterations and Quality Problems

Answer 4

• Substitution is where less expensive oil is labeled and sold as more expensive oil.
• Synthetic adulteration is mixing together various aroma chemicals to simulate the fragrance of the authentic essential oil.
• Stretching is adding an odorless solvent to an authentic essential oil in order to stretch or make it go farther. Oils are being adulterated in this manner because it is so easy to do and difficult to detect without GC testing.
• Commonly adulterated essential oils: avender, rose otto, neroli, rose absolute, jasmine absolute, peppermint, bergamot, clary sage, myrrh, frankincense, juniper, clove, cinnamon bark, anise, oregano, thyme, rosemary, vetiver, wintergreen, ylang ylang, cedarwood, geranium, patchouli, sandalwood, and melissa

Question 5

Essential Oil Storage and Shelf Life

Answer 5

• As far as natural products go, properly stored essential oils are pretty stable
• Oils should be stored in tightly closed glass bottles in dark, cool conditions (and be sure to store the bottles right side up to prevent leaking). When stored in this manner, most oils should remain stable for two or more years. (The more a bottle of oil is opened and used, and the emptier it becomes, the faster it may degrade.)
• Some oils are especially vulnerable to oxidation such as those with significant levels of terpenes. Monoterpene-rich oils include all citrus oils and conifer oils. These oils are best when used within 12 months after opening.
• Anise oil contains anethole that solidifies at cooler temperatures. (We most often hear from customers during the winter shortly after their anise essential oil arrives with a residue on the bottom of the bottles.) The solidified anethole will appear as a white, crystalline substance in the oil and can be liquefied again by gently warming the oil
• Myrrh thickens at colder temperatures and liquefies again slowly with consistent warmth for a period of time. You may find it thickened in a tester bottle and crusted around the top so that the bottle becomes hard to open and the oil won’t stick to the applicator.