Pure Essential Oils – What are they?
Pure essential oils are liquids that are generally distilled (most frequently by steam or water) from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other elements of a plant. Most essential oils are clear, but some oils such as patchouli, orange and lemongrass are amber or yellow in colour.
Essential oils contain the true essence of the plant it was derived from. They are highly concentrated and a little goes a long way. The chemical composition and aroma of essential oils can provide valuable psychological and physical therapeutic benefits.
Are all oils created equal?
No, there is a range of oils on the market. We use only Organic, Pure, Therapeutic Oils
.
They demand the highest quality in all aspects of growing, processing, distributing and obtaining oils from the original source. After the oils are obtained and processed, they undergo independent third party testing to certify that each batch of oil is pure. These test results are available on the internet by searching the batch numbers form the bottom of the bottles.
There are absolutely no synthetics, impurities or chemicals in these oils.
Adulteration of essential oil is becoming more common as the market for them grows and the natural supplies dwindle. Adulterated oils can cause rashes, burning, skin irritations and allergic reactions.
Many companies are thinning the oils with solvents and adding synthetic fragrances. Some are cut with synthetic linolyl acetate to improve the fragrance.
Make sure you look for the latin name on the bottle to ensure you are not getting a hybrid oil with no therapeutic benefits.
What are the other grades we need to be aware of?
The lowest grade and most common is synthetic, which are produced in labs. Synthetic oils are used in products like lotions and perfumes and provide no therapeutic benefit.
Next is food grade, which is used to flavour foods like lemon in salad dressings or cinnamon in chewing gum. These oils generally have no side effects, but they also have no therapeutic benefits.
Then there are therapeutic grade oils, which are intended for health benefits. These are the oils that you’ll typically experience in a spa or with a massage, and these are usually found in health food stores. Unfortunately there are no standards saying that oils have to be pure or natural, leaving this category of oils open to dilution with synthetics.
So the best way to go is Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade to make sure you’re getting the benefits you deserve.
How can I apply my oils?
Essential oils can be taken internally (check each bottle to make sure), applied topically to wrists, spine, temples, or reflex points on feet, hands or ears, diffused into the room and used in massage.
Most of Cherish Life’s Health and Wellness Blends are ready to use as Roller ball remedies. You simply roll onto the area specified on the label.
To find out more about how pure essential oils can benefit your health and wellbeing, contact Rachael for a wellness consultation.