When you’re learning about the joys and benefits of essential oils and starting out on your voyage of discovery, it can be easy to get tempted into buying oils that are less than 100% pure.
While this may seem an attractive and cheaper option as you figure out whether it’s right for you, it’s actually a false economy. Anyone with a good knowledge of essential oils will tell you that only the 100% pure essential oils will bring the benefits you are looking for. So if you’re not using 100% pure oils and you’re not seeing any results, it’s a good idea to reconsider the quality of oils you’re opting for.
Strength of your essential oils
Oils that are not 100% pure can be diluted or adulterated, and you may not necessarily know what with. This could potentially lead to harmful and even dangerous consequences. However, it’s not always easy to know whether an oil is 100% pure or not, and that is why it is so important to buy from a reputable supplier.
Check the label
When buying 100% pure essential oil, the label should allow you to confirm the Latin name of the plant or herb. This is important because there are various different species of lavender (for example), so you can be sure you’re getting the type you’re looking for.
Oils that are not 100% pure may well be made up from several different species of the same plant or herb, which can diminish its potency and effectiveness. The label should also indicate from which country the oil has originated, as this is a sign that the supplier has done their homework when it comes to sourcing oils that are guaranteed to be 100% pure. If you are able to smell it before buying, then do so; diluted oils will smell considerably less potent and may not smell as you’d expect them to.
Weighing up the costs
Your biggest clue will probably be the price. If an oil that claims to be ‘pure’ is remarkably cheap compared to others on the market, then you can be pretty sure that it is not as pure as they may say it is. Often, the fragrance and flavouring industry will redistill oils and add sweeteners and other additives, and while this makes them cheaper it also makes them not as effective (or even completely ineffective) as a therapeutic aid.
The essential oils you use should be 100% natural, chemical-free and from a reliable source, so always opt for 100% pure oil obtained from genuine, authentic and trustworthy suppliers for results you can rely on.