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Organic And Wildcrafted Essential Oils

By Margaret Mitchell


Beneficial oils found in plants are attracting a lot of attention these days as aromatherapy and natural body care products are becoming big business. As always when there is a lot of money at stake, however, the industry attracts some who market inferior products. Choosing organic and wildcrafted essential oils from a company with a proven track record can help consumers be sure that they are getting a high-quality product. When emotional, mental, and physical health may depend on it, taking care in this area is obviously a priority.

An essential oil is a volatile compound that gives a plant a distinctive odor, flavor, or property. The aromatic components can be taken from stem, leaf, blossom, root, or bark, depending on the plant. A volatile oil readily turns to vapor at room temperature. This is the reason for the fragrance of the rose or of the sprig of lavender. This oil may be a natural way to attract pollinators or repel insects and animals that would feed on the plant.

As with any supplement, essential oil should be pure, not damaged by harvesting or production, and free of any chemical taint. This is where 'organic' comes in. A plant grown without chemical fertilizers, without pesticides or herbicides, and on enriched soil will have all the inherent benefits of that plant - and without chemical contamination. Careful extraction of small batches of oil, without the use of heat or chemical solvents, can provide an undamaged product to consumers.

It's also important to protect the fragile plant compounds from light, which is why most commercial oils come in dark glass bottles. Even shipping in hot weather can nullify freshness, as can storage in hot storerooms or on shelves exposed to sunlight. All of these potential hazards will be addressed by reputable manufacturers and distributors.

When a plant is 'wildcrafted', it's taken from its native habitat. In the old days, this was a way for mountain peoples to make a little cash money by finding wild flowers and trees. Many plants are abundant enough for this practice to continue; however, manufacturers now often grow their own herbs or even own whole habitats where certain plants flourish and harvesting can be carefully monitored. This gives producers more control over the entire harvesting-to-final-product process.

Independent, third-party testing is important to evaluate the final product for purity, potency, freshness, and overall quality. A high level of expertise is required to render a quality essential oil. The plant must be harvested at the right time of day, season of the year, and under the right conditions. Not all 'healthy' products are created equal, so make sure the company that produces an item has a good track record in the industry.

A company that chooses to gain the organic certification and use source material gathered in its native habitat will be more likely to know exactly how important purity and quality are for their consumers. Although these are not the only criteria - independent lab test results are important, for example - it is a good starting point for consumers who want the very best.

Mental, emotional, and physical health can be maintained or restored with the use of pure essential oils. By choosing pure, clean products, people can enjoy a better quality of life.




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