How can you tell the purity of essential oils?
Check the packaging for a purity statement. There should be a statement on the packaging of the oil that says “100% Pure” or something similar to this claim. If there is not, it has likely been mixed or adulterated with some other substance.
What kind of testing is done to ensure purity and quality of the essential oil?
Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is conducted to ensure the potency and consistent quality of a batch of essential oil. This testing method identifies the structural components of essential oil compounds.
Does the FDA regulate essential oils?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates essential oils by determining whether they’re a cosmetic, drug, household item or something else. They base their determinations on the product’s intended use. One way the FDA determines your intended use is by the claims you make on your essential oil labels.
Are essential oils considered supplements?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies essential oils as food supplements, not drugs. This means producers of essential oils are not allowed to market the compounds as medicine.
What is pure essential oil?
Purity: Find an oil that contains only aromatic plant compounds, without additives or synthetic oils. Pure oils usually list the plant’s botanical name (such as Lavandula officinalis) rather than terms like “essential oil of lavender.”
Do essential oils contain vitamins?
For example, although they may be a concentrated source of antioxididants, essential oils contain no fiber. Other nutrients, such as water-soluble vitamins and minerals are also largely left behind in the distillation process that produces essential oils.
What are essential oil supplements?
Essential oils are concentrated extracts of various plants. Practitioners use them in natural and alternative health practices, such as aromatherapy and naturopathy. Many plants contain some potentially helpful compounds.
Is there a standard for essential oil purity?
However, without a definitive standard for essential oil purity, doTERRA decided to set the standard for purity in the essential oil industry. Not all essential oil companies choose to enforce high testing standards for their oils. In fact, many companies skip important steps in the testing process in order to save money or time.
How does the quality of essential oil affect its value?
The purity and quality of essential oils affects their therapeutic value, aroma, color and flavor. The higher the quality of a particular distillation of oil, often the higher the price the oil commands.
What do you need to know about essential oil testing?
Standard Essential Oil Testing. Standard essential oil testing is used as a method to ensure product quality, purity and to help identify the presence of bioactive constitutes. Before essential oils can be tested, they must first be extracted from the plant source.
Why is it important to use pure essential oils?
The CPTG process includes a rigorous examination of every batch of oil, along with third-party testing to guarantee transparency. Why Is It Important to Use Pure Essential Oils? Some people ask, “Does essential oil purity really matter?” Or, “What happens if I use essential oils that aren’t pure?” The answer is yes—essential oil purity matters.