Finding “Quality Essential Oils”

Finding high quality essential oils isn’t as straightforward as one would hope. In fact, it can be a complex process and can cause confusion for the new oiler. This is because individuals have different preferences and beliefs about the “best oils.”

Unfortunately, the feverish loyalty to oils brands combined with differences of opinions on applications of essential oils between healthcare providers, consumers, and trained aromatherapists has diverted many potential users from learning about these holistic healing tools. Additionally, misleading headlines regarding the dangers of essential oils, which have been based on poor research methodology and isolated compounds, has further swayed many from their wellness benefits .

All these aspects have slowed down the integration of essential oils into integrative and conventional medicine practices. As a result, many are missing out on the therapeutic power of our aromatic allies.

For these reasons, I have started a series on the quest for good quality essential oils.

In Part I, we reviewed:

  • The factors related to how people choose their selected essential oils brands. These include their own values, the company reputation, cost, joining a community, a company’s marketing, and more.
  • My intent to stay brand neutral to reach a wider audience about the science of essential oils, without distractions or biases.
  • That the essential oils used in research are often standardized to percentages of active constituents, with few details on the quality and purity of the oil.

Now, in this section of our series, we will discuss the standards and regulations of essential oils and the relationship between these terms to purity and quality.

In this video blog, topics covered will be:

  • The regulation of essential oils
  • Essential oils standards
  • Standardization vs. quality essential oils
  • Essential oils vs. fragrances

In Part 3, we’ll discuss what characteristics I consider when choosing quality essential oils and how I vet the ones I select.

As always, all the research links, references, and previous video blogs will be available in this accompanying article and in the resource section.

Let’s get started!

 

An Overview of Essential Oils Regulation and Standards

Essential oils are not regulated in the United States for quality control or purity during production. They are, however, subject to being pulled from the market based on misleading labeling claims and if there were adverse events reported after the product goes to market.

There are also standards of essential oils, which are based on the potential therapeutic action of the oil due to its agreed upon active constituents. However, there are no agreed upon quality control or purity standards that are universal. There are some expectations if oils are regulated as medicine, which exists in Europe.

Now, let’s dive deeper into these concepts so you can understand how this impacts your experience with your odorous friends.

 

Labeling and Claim Regulations for Essential Oils

Currently, essential oils in the United States are regulated based on label claims and how they are intended for use. This means there are different specifications for usage on the bottles of “aromatherapy products” for cosmetics, drugs, fragrances, food additives (e.g. essential oils used as flavorings certified as GRAS, Generally Recognized as Safe), or “something else.”

Of recent years, several big essential oil companies got warning letters from the government for making drug claims about their products. This means that their labels claimed an oil could treat or prevent an illness.

These regulatory issues for false label claims had nothing to do with the quality, purity, safety, or efficacy of the essential oils themselves. The problem was that the companies had not gone through the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approval process for their oils to be marketed or classified as drugs, substances that treat or prevent disease.

 

Standardization of Essential Oils

Currently, there are some sets of standards and certifications for essential oils through the agencies of ISO (The International Organization for Standardization) and the Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR), the French division.

According to the ISO website: “ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, brings global experts together to agree on the best way of doing things – for anything from making a product to managing a process. As one of the oldest non-governmental international organizations, ISO has enabled trade and cooperation between people and companies all over the world since 1946. The International Standards published by ISO serve to make lives easier, safer and better.”

AFNOR is the French national organization for standardization and its ISO member body. They develop their international standardization activities, information provision, and certification and training through network members of the association. Their English website states:

Standards and aromatherapy, a well-oiled story

For each type of oil and aroma, the standard proposes several criteria, such as the composition or origin of the plant raw materials (‘French thyme’, ‘Spanish sweet orange’, etc.). This is to ensure quality and efficiency, but also to combat fraud, says Laura Solaroli, project manager who leads the AFNOR standardization commission on this subject.

The demand for standardization often comes from manufacturers themselves.

Today, 135 standards are already referenced in sectors as diverse as perfumery and cosmetics, the food and pharmaceutical industries, cleaning products, home fragrances and plant protection applications.

A diversity of sectors for whom the standard is a real guarantee of confidence, all the more so when it is international. As such, Laura Solaroli’s commission follows the work of ISO TC 54.

 

The Quality Caveat with Standards and Essential Oils

Many people feel that if an essential oil meets the ISO/AFNOR standard, it will probably be a high quality oil. However, this is not always the case. Although standardization can imply quality, it often does not.

An essential oil could meet the agreed upon standards of percentages of active constituents in the bottle by distilling in synthetic fragrances and isolated compounds made from chemicals. These oils are not the same quality as those derived from an organically grown or wild plant.

Jade Shutes, pioneer and esteemed clinical aromatherapist, herbalist, and founder of the School of Aromatic Medicine, stated the following from the AFNOR website:

“AFNOR does not set standards for differentiating the quality of essential oils rather they provide specifications for ‘industries to use as a guide to essential oil compositions so that new batches could be utilized with minimum alteration in flavor or fragrance to the finished products’.

She also explained:

Harris states further that “whilst it is sometimes advantageous to know whether an essential oil falls within a ‘normal’ range, it has no inference to therapeutic properties. An essential oil can be very therapeutic and yet not fall within any accepted standard”.

To complicate matters more, various companies consider different constituents within an essential oil vital or necessary for the oils’ actions. This may mean their specific oils, such as lavender or peppermint, may not meet “standardization,” because compounds within them do not meet the ISO or AFNOR percentages. Yet, they could still be quality oils in regard to their raw materials, distillation techniques, testing, manufacturing, and distribution.

 

A Note About Fragrances vs. Essential Oils

Those using essential oils medicinally are hoping to experience the beneficial effects of pure aromatics without adverse events. (R) (R)

Synthetic fragrances can smell like the “real deal,” but be a downright dangerous mix of isolated constituents and unknown chemicals and toxins! (R) (R)

Therefore, we want essential oils that are not just standardized to a specific compound. We want unadulterated essential oils without harmful synthetics, fillers, or man-made chemicals. In this way, you are not only avoiding “toxic scents” but also assisting and supporting all your body’s systems.

 

Summary: Essential Oils, Regulations, Quality, Standards, and Purity

Essential oils are precious and the power, purity, and quality of these secondary metabolites can be altered by production, manufacturing, and distribution. (1) (2)

Essential oils in the United States are not regulated for standards, quality, or purity. They are however, monitored by the FDA for accurate label claims and any potential adverse events.

Various standards for hundreds of essential oils do exist based on consensus from expert representatives of global network organizations (ISO and AFNOR). These standardized essential oils must contain the agreed upon percentages of active constituents. Essential oils that meet organizational standards do not imply the oils are high quality or pure. Nor do high quality or pure essential oils guarantee they meet expert standards.

Therefore, to find quality essential oils that are also pure we need to know what to look for.

This is what we’ll be discussing in Part 3.

I hope this information can help you to better decipher your preferred authentic suppliers for the safest and best outcomes from your essential oils.

I look forward to hearing your comments and feedback.

Thank you so much for taking the time to learn how to nurture your mind, body, heart, and soul.

Sending you many blessings.

 

Safety Disclaimer:

It is important to remember that just because something is regulated, approved, standardized, or widely available doesn’t mean it is inert, especially when misused.

This means for the safe use of any substance, natural or synthetic, following the instructions for intended and proper use is imperative. Furthermore, you want to use correct dosing, common sense, and consider your own unique biochemistry and health history.

 

Interested in Learning More About Essential Oils?

 

Resources

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Disclaimer: This material is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness. You should check with your doctor regarding implementing any new strategies into your wellness regime. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. (Affiliation link.)

This information is applicable ONLY for therapeutic quality essential oils. This information DOES NOT apply to essential oils that have not been tested for purity and standardized constituents. There is no quality control in the United States, and oils labeled as “100% pure” need only to contain 5% of the actual oil. The rest of the bottle can be filled with fillers and sometimes toxic ingredients that can irritate the skin. The studies are not based solely on a specific brand of an essential oil, unless stated. Please read the full study for more information.

Thanks Pixabay and Canva.