Quality:
The quality of an essential oil is determined by a number of factors including plant quality, harvest,
production technique, and environmental conditions which directly affect the percentages of each
component of the essential oil. Botanical variety and chemotype identification also play a part in
determining quality. Additionally, an essential oil does not have to be adulterated to be inferior. Some oils
labeled ‘certified organic’ or ‘100% pure’ are not always pure and may actually be of lower quality than
non-organic, and can still be adulterated. Such labels will become trivialized like ‘natural’ without the
analytical data to back them up. It’s also important to remember that pesticides have large chemical
structures which prevent them from being distilled.

Conclusion:
All of us using essential oils as integrative medicine are creating a niche market for a new generation of
essential oils. Analysis, preferably GC/MS, will continue to have a positive influence on essential oil
purity and quality. For the past 10 years, Aromatherapy’s demand for pure, high quality oils has been
stimulated in part by Elizabeth Van Buren, and we’ve also had an impact on the production and distribution
practices of the worldwide essential oil industry. Science may appear to pop the mysterious bubble around
the metaphysical aspect of aromatherapy, but spirit never shies from science and the earnest pursuit of
truth, for it is the source of material reality while the mind is the organizer. Science is the foundation from
where we can build essential oil therapy into the lofty healing and beautifying art it is designed to be.

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