What are Essential Oils?

What is the difference is between synthetic fragrance oils and pure essential oils?  

There are crucial differences between them; in fact, I would never recommend using synthetic fragrance oils. However, even between what is labeled as “pure essential oils,” there are significant differences in quality and purity. Basically, there are 4 grades of essential oils:

1. Grade A oils are pure, therapeutic, and superior quality. They are usually made from organically grown plants, and are distilled at the proper temperatures. “Virgin” soil may also be used.
2. Grade B oils are the most common essential oil and they are sometimes labeled as “pure.” However, they may still contain pesticides, fertilizers, synthetics, extenders, or carrier oils. While Grade B oils are considered “food grade,” I would never recommend ingesting these oils.
3. Grade C are perfume grade and usually contain the same type of adulterating chemicals as Grade B oils. They also often contain solvents which are used to gain a higher yield of oil per harvest. Solvents are not healthy. Still, these oils are sometimes used in aromatherapy or for making perfume products.
4. Floral Water is a byproduct of the distillation process. It can be very high quality if superior, organic material is used and it comes from a “Grade A” distillation process. However if it is from compromised raw materials and/or a poor distillation process, it will be a very low quality. Floral Water is often used for more expensive oils, such as Rose Oil, since it takes 5000 poundsof roses to make just one 1 pound of essential oil.

Synthetic fragrance oils may come close in duplicating the smell of the pure botanical, but the complex chemical components of each essential oil created in nature determine its true benefits. In other words, synthetic fragrance oils do not have medicinal properties; they are NOT suitable for aromatherapy, and they are just plain bad for you. That is why many people complain that perfumes and air fresheners give them a headache. Most have never experienced pure essential oils.

What does “Therapeutic Grade” really mean and why is it important? 

Click HERE to find out.

Young Living: The Seed To Seal™ Process

Strict attention to detail—from the seeds sown to the plants harvested—ensures that the oils you obtain from Young Living are the purest, most potent essential oils available. This precise, detailed method is known as the Seed to Seal process.
Seed
Potent essential oils come from plant species that have been authenticated by Young Living experts. Species certification involves scientific research, field study, university partnerships, and on-site planting certification.
Cultivate
Through cultivation on the four Young Living farms, Young Living Essential Oils has mastered the creation of pure, potent essential oils. The company takes this knowledge around the world to co-op farms to certify that these farms’ growing processes meet Young Living’s strict quality standards.
Distill
Young Living’s proprietary low-temperature, low-pressure steam distillation process ensures that the beneficial plant compounds in every batch of essential oil remain uncompromised during the extraction process.
Test
Each essential oil must pass Young Living’s stringent testing to ensure the optimal bioactive natural compounds are present. Young Living uses its own internal labs, in addition to third-party audits, to verify that international purity and potency standards are met and surpassed.
Seal
Young Living completes the Seed to Seal process by carefully sealing each bottle of essential oil before shipping them to members worldwide.