Extraction of therapeutic essential oils

Therapeutic essential oils are not all the same. If you are buying essential oils to use for therapeutic purposes (aromatherapy, diffusion, body massage), you need to be sure that the oils used are therapeutic. Many oils smell good. But they are not necessarily good for you and suitable for these uses.

Chemical constituents of therapeutic essential oils

One of the factors that constitutes the purity of therapeutic essential oils is determined by its chemical constituents. These constituents can be influenced by a vast number of variables. These include: the part of the plant from which the oil was produced, soil conditions, fertilisers with which it may have come into contact (organic or chemical), geographical region, climate, altitude, harvesting methods and distillation processes.

The key to producing a pure essential oil is the quality of the oil.

The key to producing a therapeutic grade essential oil is the preservation of the many delicate aromatic compounds within the oil. These chemicals are very fragile and are easily destroyed by high temperatures and pressures. They are also destroyed by contact with chemically reactive metals such as copper or aluminium. This is why all therapeutic grade essential oils must be distilled in stainless steel cooking chambers at low pressure and temperature.

The plant material should also be free of herbicides and other agricultural substances. These can react with the therapeutic essential oils during distillation to the point of producing toxic compounds. Since many pesticides are oil-soluble, they can also mix in the essential oil.

Although chemists have successfully reconstructed the main components and fragrances of some essential oils in the laboratory, these synthetic oils lack the actual therapeutic benefits. They may even pose risks in their use. Why?
Because essential oils contain hundreds of different chemical compounds, which, in combination, lend important therapeutic properties to the oil. In addition, many essential oils contain molecules and isomers that are impossible to produce in the laboratory.

Purity of therapeutic essential oils

Those who use therapeutic essential oils must use the purest quality oils available. Inferior qualities or adulterated oils will most likely not produce the therapeutic results one would expect and may be toxic.

Adulteration is a major concern that every batch of essential oil that enters the market must be tested by independent, highly qualified laboratories using AFNOR standards. Batches that do not meet the standards are rejected and returned.

For example, much of the lavender oil sold in America today is the hybrid called lavandin. It is grown and distilled in China, Russia, France and Tasmania. It is brought to France and cut with synthetic linalyl acetate to enhance the fragrance. Propylene glycol, DEP or DOP (odourless solvents that increase its volume) are added and sold in the US as lavender oil.
Would you use these products in your essential oils?
I know I wouldn't because every professional wants to use high quality products.

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