With so many oils on the market, knowing which ones are pure and therapeutic can be challenging. Choosing a trusted supplier is the key to getting the best quality essential oil possible. The first thing to look for is third-party certifications and sustainable sourcing practices. Then ask about pricing and shipping options.
Check Out Reviews
Essential oils have been proven to offer a natural, effective, and safe remedy for many common health concerns. They can help relieve irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, calm nerves, and promote relaxation and sleep. They can also be used to enhance the flavor of food and beverages. But not all oils are created equal. It is essential to find pure essential oils and make sure you are purchasing a quality product. This is why it’s essential to check out reviews. This way, you can understand what other people say about the oil. Generally, high-quality products will be made from pure, single-ingredient essential oils, not blended with other ingredients. They should be distilled or steam-distilled from the source plant and contain no additives. Look for a label that clearly states the distillation method, country of origin, and botanical name of the oil. It should also include a warning to always dilute essential oils before applying them to the skin and to perform a patch test before use. Finally, the bottle should be dark in color to protect the oil from light and heat, as these can affect its quality over time.
Look for Certifications
Essential oil manufacturers should be able to provide you with the purity test results for each of their oils. This is one of the best ways to gauge whether they sell a pure product. Look for a label that clearly states the common and Latin names of each oil, what plant parts were used (i.e., neroli: ‘Lavandula angustifolia’), how it was extracted, and what dilution level it is sold at (if applicable) in metric measurements. If it simply says “essence oil,” that is likely a blend of essential and carrier oils, not pure oil. Per ounce, good quality essential oils can be pretty expensive; it takes a lot of plants to make just one bottle! So if an oil is very cheap, that is usually a red flag. Look for a manufacturer participating in industry certifications, such as the International Organization for Standardization and American Standards Institute (ANSI).
Compare Prices
Whether you’re shopping for lavender, peppermint, or other commonly available essential oils, it may surprise you that there are significant price differences between companies. These large price differences exist because not all essential oil companies are created equal. The lower-priced oils are often adulterated with synthetics or other cheaper ones (cut oils). This practice makes the essential oil less expensive for the consumer and can compromise their therapeutic benefits. A quality supplier will only offer pure, 100% organic certified essential oils that have been distilled according to their specific distillation method and tested for purity using gas chromatography. These oils will also be packaged in dark glass bottles. Oils are highly concentrated and can dissolve plastic bottles over time, which will taint the oil. The best way to evaluate a company’s prices is to compare them with those of reputable suppliers. If you want a specific oil, start small with a 5 ml bottle or 10 ml bottle to see if you like it.
Ask Questions
Since the FDA doesn’t regulate essential oils, it is easy for disreputable distillers to cut or adulterate their products. This is why it is so important to ask questions of your potential vendors! If a vendor cannot answer your questions, that is a red flag! A good vendor will be willing to answer any questions you have and clearly understand how their products are used. It is also a good idea to ask about the origin of their essential oils. A reputable vendor can tell you where the oil came from and provide pictures of the plant if it is not grown on their farm. It is also a good idea to ask for samples before making a large purchase. This will allow you to see if you like the quality of their oils before spending a lot of money on them. Ask for 2-4 samples of the oils you want to try. This will save you from wasting money on a big order you do not like!
Check Out the Reputation
Even though there is no governing body for essential oils, some unscrupulous companies claim their products are therapeutic or aromatherapy grade. Generally speaking, there is no need to pay a premium for an oil adulterated with fillers or other ingredients. In addition, it is a good idea only to buy essential oil sitting around for a short time. Over time, most essential oils will oxidize and lose their therapeutic properties. To avoid this, purchase oils from a reputable supplier that offers transparency regarding testing, uses GC/MS technology and discloses the country of origin for each product. Lastly, buying essential oils in dark-colored glass bottles is vital, as these will help prevent light from damaging the product over time. This is why many quality aromatherapy brands offer a wide selection of singles, blends, kits, organic oils, children’s oils, and roll-ons packaged in dark amber glass. This is a great way to ensure you are getting the most pure essential oils possible for your money.
