| ital to use only high-quality pure essential oils for | | | | as pure, natural and 'whole' as possible if they are to |
| optimum results. It is most unfortunate that many | | | | have the desired therapeutic effects. Synthetic |
| essential oils available on the market today are of poor | | | | materials which simulate the aroma and appearance |
| quality and, therefore, cannot help alleviate health | | | | of an essential oil cannot have the same therapeutic |
| problems. Essential oil traders supply mostly to the | | | | properties as an essential oil and should not be used in |
| perfume and food industries who are more concerned | | | | therapy. |
| with the fragrance or flavour of an oil rather than its | | | | Synthetic chemicals also carry the risk of harmful and |
| therapeutic effects. | | | | unpleasant side effects, as do synthetic drugs. It is |
| These industries must always have essential oils with | | | | totally impossible to duplicate an essential oil in its |
| the same chemical formulae if they are to produce the | | | | entirety in the laboratory. Vital constituents and trace |
| same aroma and taste consistently, so they find it | | | | elements will inevitably be missing. It is the total of the |
| necessary to 'adulterate' oils to replicate aromas and | | | | components of an essential oil working together which |
| flavours. Price is also a major consideration. Factors | | | | produces a healing effect. |
| such as the weather, bad harvests, the variety of the | | | | If oils are referred to as 'nature identical' this implies |
| plant, the composition of the soil, the time and the | | | | that the oil is synthetic and produced in the laboratory |
| method of cultivation and extraction can affect the | | | | and is, therefore, unsuitable for aromatherapy. |
| composition of essential oils greatly and this creates | | | | Synthetic oils also do not possess the 'vital force' or |
| difficulties for the perfume and the food industries who | | | | 'life force' of essential oils which comes from living |
| seek standardisation. | | | | plants. Chemicals also do not contain the 'vibration' of |
| Suppliers of essential oils will often adulterate their oils | | | | natural living plants. |
| by adding synthetic ingredients, alcohols, vegetable oil, | | | | Since most aromatherapy suppliers buy essential oils |
| cheap chemical constituents or low-cost essential oils. | | | | from importers who supply the perfume and food |
| They may even substitute an entire essential oil with a | | | | industries it is important to seek a supplier who deals |
| cheaper, similar oil for commercial gain (e.g. lavendin | | | | mainly with essential oils intended only for therapeutic |
| may be sold as lavender). | | | | use. |
| Essential oils used in aromatherapy must, of course, be | | | | |