Not All Essential Oils are Created Equal
In pure, natural form, essential oils are almost universally safe and harmless if used in small quantities. But what most people don’t know about essential oils and aromatherapy may be hurting them. Most essential oils sold in stores have been adulterated with chemicals that modify the aroma, bulk up the oils’ volume (making them less expensive), or disguise unwanted byproducts from plants not grown organically. These ingredients counter the beneficial aspects of the oils and often cause toxic reactions.
The difference between perfume-grade and therapeutic-grade oils is like the difference between a child’s plastic toy steak and a sirloin served at an expensive restaurant.
Perfume-grade oils can be harmful, causing headaches, rashes, liver toxicity and allergic reactions. They are responsible for the mixed reputation of aromatherapy: people who believe essential oil therapies “don’t really work” or who use essential oils “because they smell good” have usually only been exposed to ineffective, artificial oils.
Because Essential Oils are not highly regulated a claim of “Pure” Essential Oils are easy to make. This claim only means its not diluted with a carrier oil. (such as olive, jojoba, etc) It says nothing about the quality of the oil, how it has been harvested and made, or if its free from other additives such as perfumes, dyes, pesticides, etc.
To determine if an essential oil is of good quality you really need to do your reserach on the company. However here a few quick tips in helping determine the quality of an essential oil:
Price – You get what you pay for! A cheap essential oil probably means it was created in a manner that was inexpensive yet may have actually destroyed many of the medicianal properties of the essential oil. Or the oil may be bulked up with other cheaper additives.
Scientific Name – If the label does not contain the scientific name of the essential oil, it may not be that essential oil at all but a cheap knock off!
Food Grade – Many essential oils have been FDA approved for human consumption. Among a few are Lavender and Frankincense, peppermint, cinnamon, geranimum, eucalyptus, lemongrass, lemon and many more*. If the label says for topical purposes only, you may want to think what else is in that oil that makes it not edible or if its even really that essential oil at all! *(Please note some essential oils may be for external use only because the FDA has not done any or enough testing to determine its safety. It’s important to research the essential oil you plan on using)
All doTerra Essential oils are Independently tested to ensure freedom for contaminations such as pesticides and synthetic ingredients. doTerra essential oils represent one of the purest and most potent essential oils out in the market. Many of the essential oils are not only suitable for diffusing and massage therapy sessions but also may be taken orally, used in cooking and as a green alternative to chemical cleaners.
History of Essential Oils
August 26th, 2011
According to the translation of ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics and Chinese Manuscripts, priests and physicians were using essential oils thousands of years before the time of Christ. Essential Oils were mankind’s first medicine.
According the research Ancient Egyptians were the first to discover the potential of essential oils. Oils and aromatics were used for treating illness and performing rituals and religious ceremonies in temples and pyramids. In fact, three oils that are still commonly used today, cedarwood, myrrh, and frankincense, were used in the embalming process
There are 188 references to oils in the Bible. Some precious oils such as frankincense, myrrh, rosemary, cassia, and cinnamon were used for the anointing and healing of the sick. The three wise men brought essential oils of frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus.
The term aromatherapy as we know it today was first coined in 1937 by the French chemist and perfumer Rene Gattefosse. In 1910 he burnt his hand badly in his laboratory and being the first available compound handy, treated his burnt hand with pure undiluted lavender. The oil not only immediately eased the pain, but helped heal the hand without any sign of infection or scar. He also found that minute amounts of essential oils are absorbed by the body and interact with the body chemistry.
During the second world war, as a result of Gattefosse’s experiments, Dr. Jean Valet used essential oils to treat injured soldiers with great success.
In the 1950′s Marguerite Maury started diluting essential oils in a carrier oil and massaging it onto the skin along the nerve endings pf the spinal column. She was also the first person to start the use of “individually prescribed” combinations of essential oils to suit the need of the person being massaged.
Since the late 1970 and early 80′s the use of essential oils and aromatherapy has become a major part of alternative and holistic medicine and has a huge following across the world.
Frankincense (personally one of my favorite oils) is now being researched and used therapeutically in European Hospitals. Clinical research now shows that it contains very high immune stimulating properties, may naturally stimulate HGH (Human Growth Hormone – a hormone we produce less of as we age) and even have a positive effect on certain types of cancer, specifically skin cancer.
Purchase Essential Oils