Articles on Essential Oils & Aromatherapy

Note: SomaTherapy essential oils are labeled with the part of the plant used, where this is relevant, as well as with the common name and Latin botanical name; the brochure indicates countries of origin (at time of printing) - any retailer or customer can call for any additional information needed, such as extraction methods, specific gravity, optical rotation, etc.

"BE GUIDED BY PRICE" (low price = low quality; jp)

"Because the oils are susceptible to heat, light, and air, they must be kept in dark glass containers. Clear plastic bottles are definitely not recommended."
 
"AROMATHERAPY IS NOT MERELY ABOUT SMELLING NICE... It is a therapy and should be respected as such. Just as you would not expect your medical practitioner to prescribe medication that was substandard, so you should not be prepared to accept anything less than the best that is available..."

"For effective therapeutic use, it is crucial that only pure essential oils be used...reconstituted products or chemical copies of natural essences simply do not work..."

"...a large variety of so-called essential oil products have been devised... In law, all of these products come under the heading "essential oils", which can be confusing to the inexperienced buyer: "reconstitutions"; "nature identicals"; "isolates"; "perfume compounds"; and "aromas", such as "lavender aroma". Apart from the range of products that have been devised to take the place of essential oils in perfumery, there are other essential oils which, when mixed with others, mimic the aroma of the essential oil whose name they carry... This is all very well if perfumery is your concern, BUT NO GOOD AT ALL if the ... oil is required for a therapeutic purpose."

"NO REPUTABLE ESSENTIAL OIL SUPPLIER SELLS ESSENTIAL OILS ALL AT THE SAME PRICE."

"... it is often the case that a synthetic aroma will smell more pungently of the raw material than the real thing. Do not influenced by strength, but rather by price, supplier reputation, and, in time, your own experience and instinct".

The following excerpts are from Holistic Aromatherapy, A. Berwick, 1994, Llewellyn Pub., St. Paul, MN pp. 168.

"It is important to work with high quality, pure essential oils whenever you can. Many of the oils on the market are of poor quality."
 
"LOW PRICES MAY ALSO MEAN THE OIL IS A SECOND OR THIRD DISTILLATION OF THE PLANT MATERIAL, in which case it will have far less therapeutic value. Sometimes oils are diluted with another plant that has a similar aroma, but costs less... Obtaining the specific oil you want is more likely if you know the correct botanical name..."

"The oils should be sold in dark glass bottles, definitely not in plastic".

"Common Methods of Adulteration: A certain quantity of the main chemical constituent may be added to the essential oil to "stretch" it. Oil from a cheaper plant may be added. Citronella may be added to melissa & spearmint to birch.  Synthetic aromatic substances may be added. This can cause irritation, allergies, nausea, headaches, and reduced therapeutic value. Some of the chemical constituents may be removed. Since an essential oil is an extremely complex cocktail of hundreds of chemical constituents, some of them in very small amounts, this will alter the therapeutic value of the oil. Menthol is often removed from peppermint oil and used by the pharmaceutical industry. As a general rule, the more an essential oil is interfered with physically or chemically, the less clinical value it will have".
The above excerpts should make this clear, as it is a point that is repeatedly made in publications on the subject. The seriousness of our commitment to providing high quality essential oils is reflected in our packaging and labeling; in our brochure which provides extensive information on the oils as well as on appropriate use and proper storage; and in our willingness and availability to discuss our oils or aromatherapy with our retailers and/or their customers by phone. You can calls us and expect to speak with someone who is knowledgeable in the field and has experience with the oils. We are not just a company marketing the cheapest product available. We work hard to make professional quality, aromatherapy grade essential oils available to the public, and we provide follow-up and support services to insure satisfaction.
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Joie Power, Ph.D. practices as a Wellness Consultant, Healer, Reiki Master, and Healing Arts Practitioner. Dr. Power is a neurobehavioral specialist with training in the neurological aspects of olfaction (smell) and emotional functioning, as well as psychoneuroimmunology, mind/body approaches, dreamwork, and aromatherapy; She offers workshops and consultation to individuals, physicians and holistic practitioners and is the founder of Dreaming Earth Botanicals, producers of SomaTherapy Essential Oils. To inquire concerning Dr. Power's availability for individual consultations, workshops and educational presentations, send e-mail to info@dreamingearth.com.

Articles by Dr. Power: Aromatherapy: The Basics, Gas Chromatographs: A Basic Explanation, Essential Oil Quality - Is it Important?, Aromatherapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Aromatherapy and Emotions, Psychoneuroimmunology, Aromatherapy and the SARS Virus - Is There a Simple Preventative?

Click on Dr Power to read more about Dr Joie Power.


Aromatherapy Articles /Essential Oil Quality / Aromatherapy
from Dreaming Earth Botanicals
SomaTherapy Essential Oils