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Purity Test for Essential Oils
posted by Annie B. Bond May 27, 1999 8:53 am
Essential oils, used for everything from insect repellents
to aromatherapy and fragrance, are very strong and need to
be used with care, but they can cause environmental health
problems if the brand doesn’t provide pure oils. Some oils
have petroleum-based solvents added, which can be very toxic.
Petroleum-based solvents are often long-lasting in the
environment, are stored in our fat, and are a source of
volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) that negatively affect
indoor air quality.
Do an easy blotting paper test to see if your oils are pure.
Put a few sample drops of your oils on a blotting paper. Pure
essential oils will not leave any residue once they have
evaporated, whereas petroleum solvents will.
Annie B.
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9 comments
add your comment »I have had good results with Absolute Aromas pure essential oils - they also have an organically certified line for extra peace of mind. They're an english company, but they sell them in the US as well. I've used them for more than 6 years as a massage therapist and love them!
I agree about the Young Living Oils - they are pure but with the Multi-Level Marketing schemes they become super expensive, and they have no qualms about claiming almost anything with regards to benefits of use.
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By the way, Shane you are a distributor that gives Aromatherapy a bad rap in this country with your crazy claims and no science to back it up. Your brand is the most expensive on the market, any reason why?
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Petroleum based solvents,where is this information coming from Annie? Most essential oils are adulterated with their own synthetic components. These components are sometimes naturally occurring or often made in a lab. Some unscrupulous manufacturers cut their oils with vegetable or seed oils to stretch out the product but this practice greatly reduces the shelf life of a pure and natural essential oil.
I advise my clients to put their oils to a "smell and taste test." Without a fancy gas chromotography machine you will never know what is in the bottle. And always ask for a specifications sheet or a Certificate of Analysis or a MSDS sheet, if you know a little chemistry you can discern what is real or not.
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I have worked with essential oils for many years and prefer Young Living oils to any I have come across so far, but will look into the other brand suggested. I agree that Battaglia's book is a good reference.
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There are lots of good oil companies, I don't think anyone has cornered the market and I'd love to see the evidence on that 21% claim below. But also, other oils will leave a mark on blotter paper...those from resins for instance, like Myrrh or even those with color, like Cedar. Oils can be cut with a carrier oil that is not a petroleum prodcut...like almond oil, etc. I really wish people would get their facts straight before putting out info like this. Most aromatherapists would tell you testing purity is much more complicated than this. Try reading a quality book, like Salvatore Battaglia's "The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy" for more reliable information and the truth about using essential oils on the skin.
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OK, since the last comment I made last year I have learned so much about my essential oils. Dana Clay Young and Forevergreen have the best oils hands down. They aid in every ailment you have. they bring 21% oxygen to your skin and blood and all the cells. myforevergreen.org/shanestauffer and I can answer any questions you have. check them out and let me know. You should also check out the videos about Frequensea. I guarantee you'll fall IN LOVE, I did!!!!
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If you are interested in several differant essential oils with the HIGHEST quality and purity, you should visit www.myforevergreen.org/556945 foreverYoung oils are some of the best in the WORLD!!! I love them
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Thanks Care2 and Kathy! Very good information.
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