The term "therapeutic grade" is a term many essential oil suppliers use when describing their oils. However, the term was first used by Young Living to communicate/differentiate that their oils were of medicinal use, and not to be confused with oils available at a retail store or health food store, and those of cosmetic or strictly "air fresheners." The term "therapeutic grade" is not an FDA term, as the FDA does not monitor, inspect, or patent any essential oil. They cannot patent an all-natural product. So, how do you know what caliber of essential oil you get with Young Living?
1. Young Living has been in the business for 20+ years with satisfied customers, a reputation for unsurpassed quality, and cutting edge research and product innovation.
2. Young Living is a full disclosure company. Any distributor can go to one of their farms and participate in planting, harvesting, and distilling the oils. They are open about the process. The company will answer questions and provide documentation about the purity, safety, and effectiveness of their products on request.
3. It takes deliberate and knowledgeable oversight of all areas of oil production in order to know the value of what you are selling. So if a producer is making a high quality oil, they are not going to sell it to someone only willing to pay bottom dollar for it. That is a major reason why warning bells should go off in your head when you see essential oils at bargain basement prices. No producer would sell a high quality oil to a distributor for a cheap price when they know they could easily get more money for it.
4. Plant: You should first consider what is the source of the oil? Is it a synthetic oil created in a lab? Is the oil from the correct breed of plant? For example, did you know that there is more than one species of lavender and that only Lavandula Augustifolia provides the famed results that most people associate as lavender? Many companies sell Lavandin, which is a hybrid version of lavender, and they label it as lavender, and it does not provide the same benefits as Lavandula Augustifolia. Make sure you can see the latin name of any plant on your oils to ensure that you are getting the correct plant’s oil. Another example is clove bud oil vs. clove leaf or clove stem oil. Clove buds yield less oil than clove leaf and clove stems, but the properties of the oil from the buds is different from the oil from the stems and leaves. However, the oil from the leaves/stems has a higher potential to be irritating than oil from the bud. And would you believe, they smell EXACTLY the same? So read your labels! Do your research. Make sure, if you decide to try Young Living essential oils, that you communicate with and engage with someone who has at least a working knowledge of essential oils, and a network of people responsive and educated about therapeutic essential oils. (if an oil contains 5 to 8 % purity, it can legally be labeled as "pure)." Don't let the claim of "Pure" confuse you. And, don't let the term "therapeutic grade" confuse you. Many companies can say that as it isn't monitored, but not many can back it up with testing, labs, education, and oversight (not to mention feedback and responsiveness).
5. Preparation: In order to provide therapeutic benefits, each specific plant has to be distilled at its own pressure, its own temperature, in its own method and for a precise time. Any deviation from the specific method, and the oil can be completely useless. This requires expert attention and capable equipment. The ability to do this requires huge investments and a commitment to purity on the companies part. Anyone can purchase oils from a broker and then resell them, but it takes someone with experience and equipment to ensure that the oils that they grow and that they purchase actually provide the benefits that they are supposed to provide. It is worth noting, that some essential oil companies distill the plant material more than one time. The first distillation is the one that provides the highest quality oil. Each subsequent distillation provides a lower quality oil than the time before. There is no requirement to disclose what distillation the oil you are buying is from. Know your company before you buy. Young Living uses only the first distillation in bottled and sealed essential oils.
6. Purity: "Adulteration" is the buzzword in the oiling community these days with companies accusing each other of adulterating their oils. Did you know that many companies use solvents to help the plant matter to release more essential oils? These solvents are often caustic and toxic chemicals, and while the companies say that they remove the solvents after distillation, once it is in the oil, imagine how difficult it would be to remove every bit of solvent. Some, even a small amount or trace amount, would likely remain. One of the wonderful properties of essential oils is that, because they permeate cell walls more efficiently than other molecules, they can also carry anything that they are with deep into the body as well. This is why we always suggest a high grade, virgin, unrefined carrier oil when diluting essential oils from Young Living. When the oils are with a nutrient of benefit to the body, this is great. Unfortunately, when the oils are adulterated, they then can also carry the adulterant (in this case the solvent) deep into the body as well. Additionally, synthetic extenders are frequently added to stretch an authentic oil and can smell similar to the real thing. Every batch of Young Living oil is tested for purity. They test for pesticides, heavy metals, dioxins, along with adulterants so that you can be assured that every bottle of oil is truly pure. Imagine how long the company would have survived otherwise. Sure, you can purchase bottles that say pure, or therapeutic grade at a health food store, or the vitamin shop. They aren't the same product as Young Living essential oils. Not even close. I wouldn't dare use them the way I use YL oils, and I certainly would never consider ingesting them for any specific need. No way.
7. Potency: In order for the oils to have a therapeutic use, all of the active components must be in the oil. The oils must be prepared properly in order for them to be potent, (aka have any power to work on the body). Young Living ensures all batches are tested to ensure that all the essential components are in the oil before they bottle and send it on to the consumer. If a batch fails to meet the Young Living standard, they WILL NOT bottle or sell it. If an oil goes out of stock due to demand, or due to not distilling at the highest quality, then it just goes out of stock. That's Young Living's choice as a company, and it's a choice that gives me confidence in their products. Other essential oil companies that possibly do not have the consumer base or the company strength of Young Living have been known to bottle and sell what should be a rejected batch. Remember, only 5 to 8 % purity is required to claim "purity." Therefore a company might well think 85% purity is good enough for them; but not Young Living. And, I am very thankful for that. Whether I personally choose to use essential oils topically, aromatically.
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