There are so many essential oil myths on the internet and elsewhere--it's hard know what to believe. Let's cut through all of the nonsense and find out what's true and what's not.
Essential oils are all the rage right now.
But with all of the information out there, it's hard to know what to believe.
One of the most pressing questions out there is, how do you know if you are really buying pure essential oils, and not some bottle of "who knows what" diluted or adulterated with something else?
I think you know what I mean.
It seems that everyone and his brother (or sister) is using essential oils--and even more confusing is that pretty much every day there is a new essential oils company in the marketplace. And each of those companies is telling you that they are THE BEST! THE PUREST!
The ONLY quality oil out here.
It's a veritable essential oils jungle out there.
Essential oils claims of purity and efficacy are everywhere.
Many of them, however are just not true.
Companies, essential oil reps, and consumers tell you how you can know if what you have is REALLY a pure essential oil.
Well, a lot of them are spreading false information.
It's confusing enough trying to figure out how to use essential oils and of course you need to keep in mind essential oils safety issues like do essential oils expire and whether or not essential oils are a scam, but one thing is for sure. If you are going to use essential oils, you want them to be pure. No thanks to toxic synthetics and cheap fillers in my oils.
So today we're going to bust the essential oil myths. I hope this helps set the record straight.
Essential Oil Claims
Here are some things that companies claim about the purity of their essential oils.....
"Our oils are therapeutic grade."
"We have the ONLY pure oils anywhere."
"We looked at all of the essential oils on the market and found that there weren't any quality oils ANYWHERE so we decided to start our own company."
"Our oils are clinical grade."
"We have only pure grade essential oils."
"We have oils that are XYZPDQ certified (you know what I mean)."
"There are NO other pure retail oils on the market."
and on and on it goes.
Frankly, I'm beyond sick of this.
And beyond that, there are representatives from essential oils companies sharing more faulty information about how you can test an oil to see if it's pure.
So now you can be your own little EO expert at home.
Yeah.
I'm here to tell you the truth so hopefully you can sort through all of the nonsense in the essential oil marketplace and make a truly educated decision about what essential oils to buy--and what essential oils to leave on the shelf.
Essential Oil Myths
There are companies representatives from essential oils companies making claims about how their oils are the best.
Common sense says that they can't all be the purest and the best.
Someone has to be selling bad stuff, right?
There are shenanigans going on in the essential oil industry and it's time to set the record straight.
Let's first talk about why some of these essential oil myths are just plain wrong.
The One Ingredient On the Label Myth
The ingredient list should have one item, and one item only: 100% pure oil.
Well, first of all, if we're talking about single oils, that can be true, but an oil blend has multiple oils. I know that's not the point that this company was making, but it's true.
Also, some companies sell essential oils that are diluted with carrier oils. Doing such does not mean that you are getting an adulterated oil as long as that dilution is disclosed on the label.
Besides, so many companies list only 1 ingredient on the label and that does not mean that they are selling only pure oils. They put in synthetic fillers or other adulterants and of course they aren't going to list those on their label.
Can you imagine a label for a Lavender Essential Oil that claims to be quality that says: "Lavender Essential Oil and Synthetic Lavender added" on the label? Well, if you see that--don't buy it :).
A company can write whatever they want on a label. That doesn't make the oil inside pure.
The Certified Organic = PURE Myth
If the essential oils are certified organic, are they necessarily pure?
Nope.
It's not even crucial that you buy organic essential oils to avoid pesticides. I will go into this at a more at a future date, but you do not have to get Certified Organic Essential Oils in order to have pure essential oils. It's just not true.
There are some advantages to buying organic essential oils in some cases, but purity is not necessarily one of them. There are companies that have tested organic essential oils and found them not to be pure. And I have verification of that in my inbox.
The GMO-Free = PURE Myth
This is a good point in one sense.
You do not want to buy essential oils from GMO plants. That being said, when is the last time that you heard of GMO Melaleuca :)?
Basically there aren't really any GMO plants that are made into essential oils, so no worries here.
And just because an essential oil is marked as being GMO-free doesn't mean at all that it is for sure a pure essential oil.
The Certified Therapeutic=Pure Myth
There is no industry-wide certification of essential oils.
So when a company states that they are therapeutic grade, or clinical grade, or whatever certification acronym they decide to put on their essential oils bottle, that certification is just that. Their own designation. Nothing more and nothing less.
I could just as easily set up an essential oils company and put some purity designation together like "CBPEO" for "Certified Best Pure Essential Oil" and start selling my stuff.
But unless I have some sound science behind that name it means nothing.
Unless a company has something to back up essential oils claims of purity, those claims are not necessarily true.
The White Paper Test Myth
Something else that is all over the internet is that you can easily test your essential oils at home by putting a drop of the oil on a plain piece of white paper, letting the essential oil sit for several hours and observing. The story goes that if it disappears slowly and doesn't leave a ring, then the oil is likely pure.
Malarky.
First of all, some oils are heavier and will leave residue. Furthermore, adulteration isn't typically done by adding carrier oils any longer -- these companies are getting smart. They are adding things that wouldn't be picked up by such a simple test.
So save your paper.
The Freezer Test Myth
Another essential oil purity myth that is being tossed around is that pure essential oils don't freeze. So simply place your essential oils in the freezer and if they freeze? Well, you have impure oils.
Again, not true.
Yes, some oils will not freeze in a typical household freezer, but all liquids will freeze at some temperature. There are some oils that will freeze in a household freezer, some will freeze in the refrigerator, and some are solid even at room temperature. The issue is the components of the essential oils which will crystalize at different temperatures depending on the amount of that component in the essential oil.
Here is an explanation of the freezing of peppermint oil by Robert Pappas:
The menthol in peppermint can range from 30-50%. Mint oil that has menthol content in the upper 40s (getting close to 50%) can crystalize in a household freezer, while cheap 33% menthol Indian peppermint, like the one that the MLM reps are saying is the good peppermint, can't crystalize because its so inferior in its menthol content that it would take a much lower temperature to solidify.
The Nose Test Myth
This test encompasses many of the so-called essential oil purity tests that I have seen out there.
Tests like:
Does your essential oil smell rancid?
It must be laced with a carrier oil.
Does your essential oil smell like alcohol?
It's probably been adulterated with alcohol.
Do the oils smell different than other oils of the same type that you've used?
It must be fake.
Got a headache (or other reaction) from your essential oil?
It must have toxins in there!
If you smell an oil and it doesn't smell like other essential oils that you've used before, or if it smells "off" to you, or gives you a headache, does that mean that the oil isn't pure?
Nope.
First of all, oil smells should vary by batch. The aroma of an essential oil should vary somewhat depending on the time of year, water, soil, etc. In fact, consistent smell could be an indication of impure essential oils as some companies add substances to their essential oils to make the scent consistent across batches.
Furthermore, a physical reaction to, or distaste for, a particular essential oil could be the result of a physical problem, allergy, or some other issue, and could have nothing to do with a purity concern.
Now, this doesn't mean that your nose isn't important. It is.
In fact, in my next post on How to Buy Pure Essential Oils, I will talk about the role that smell does play in determining essential oil purity.
But just be aware -- your nose doesn't always know :).
The Greasy Hand Myth
You know the feeling. Greasy hands.
You have some oil on your hands and you just have.to.wash.it.off.
If your essential oils are pure, the saying goes, you will not have that feeling on your fingers or skin.
Well, for the most part this is true. However, there are some oils that are exceptions to this. Those exceptions are heavy and richly colored oils like sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli and German Chamomile. So this is partially true, but not always.
The Dissolve in Water Myth
This "myth" states that true essential oils will not dissolve in water. This argument states that when companies adulterate oils they add emulsifiers and surfactants to stretch out the oils.
Well, newsflash--neither do vegetable or other carrier oils that might be added to an essential oil to extend its volume. That being said, most adulteration isn't done with carrier oils any longer. The alteration is more sophisticated now. These adulterated oils will not dissolve either.
Save your essential oils and don't put them in water to test them.
The Supplement Label Essential Oil Myth
Some brands of essential oils have supplement labels on them. It lends some sense of authority to the label but does it mean that the oil inside is pure?
Think about it. You've likely heard of how supplement companies have been caught with undisclosed or impure ingredients in their products, right? Some of them are only selling RICE FLOUR masquerading as vitamins!
The Supplement Facts Label sure didn't stand for purity there.
And it doesn't with essential oils either.
The Supplement Label means that the oils are GRAS (generally recognized as safe) by the government. Doesn't mean that that is what is in the bottle, though. Essential oils that a company recommends for ingestion should have the supplement label on the bottle, but labels aren't regulated unless complaints or injury reports cause the FDA to intervene.
Conclusion
There are tons of things floating around out there about essential oils that are just not true.
I hope this post has helped you sort through the marketing nonsense. Stick around to find out the truth about how to really know if you have pure essential oils.
And if you'd like to know the company that I trust to supply my family with quality essential oils (and no hype) you can go here to read about my search for the "best" essential oils. Or you can skip to the end here.
To make sure that you don't miss the upcoming updates (I've got a few really interesting posts in the works), and to get access to oh so many other good things, the following might strike your fancy:
Free Essential Oils Report and Newsletter Access
Also, if you go and grab my Free Report on 10 Things to Know About Essential Oils Before You Buy, you will not only get more myth-busting essential oils information, but you'll get access to my VIP newsletter as well--complete with updates, great healthy living offers, of course new posts on essential oils, and more.
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Oh, and please do share this with others. Enough of the lies.
Let's get the truth out there!
Did you believe any of these myths before reading this post?
Which one(s) and what do you think now?
I write a blog called God's Miracles...for anonymity I will not add the entire site name. Based on the a miraculous healing my spouse of 48 years from an acvident wherein be shatered C3-7 into his spinal cord I recently received a word to study healing oils of the Bible. That said...I am researching companies and products. Having been a yeacher,and later a pharma rep...I am aware of terminology that alludes to or confuses the consumers. I am still in the process of reading your blogs. I wish I could talk to you but I know that is impossible. Do you mention whom you have aligned yourself with in future blogs and/or companies that more accurately produce pure oils? Sorry if I am putting the cart before the horse I want to help those who need healing including my spouse. I so believe in oils of the Bible. Recently went to a YL presentation? didn't want to rock the boat since my pastor was there and DT also. Questions not answered but a lot of smoke screens. Thanks...need some guidance. Your email will auto delete unless I add your email...got tired of tons of spam so computer does auto delete of spam.
Hi Lizette. Yes, I am still taking to companies but I'm investigating all kinds of companies as well and I am just one person :). I went with this company: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/announcing-the-best-essential-oils-company-and-a-great-sale/ and they are having a sale right now.
I personally left both Young Living and doTERRA for several reasons....mostly b/c of things you just mentioned. Not getting the answers that I needed. It's unacceptable. I have left other companies for that reason as well.
Do that help?
your article was interesting and ... not surprising.
My question is:
One would presume that you are being paid to "direct" us to the essential oils that "you buy".
Are you being paid when we are directed to the oils that you like?
We always must ask, like yourself ...
"What's in it for them"?
Hello Belinda,
You are always welcome to ask me anything. I won't necessarily answer everything (some things are off limits), but overall I'm an open book. The truth is that I worked w/ Young Living and doTERRA for awhile but wasn't happy with the answers or lack thereof that I got from them. I was told that I could make about $8,000 a month with doTERRA given my blog's traffic. I wasn't going to be "bought" so I followed my instincts and started interviewing several (MANY) companies. When I found the one that I felt the best about, I asked if they had an affiliate program, but they didn't. They were willing to start one for me so that we could work together.
So basically, I do my best to be honest but also to make an honest living. When I find a company or product that I love I try to find out if there is a way to make money with it because that is what blogging is about....it's about sharing and teaching and getting paid via ads and affiliate relationships.
I have removed companies from my blog that have proven themselves to be not trustworthy and I will do it again if need be. I have lost money and lots and lots of time doing this but I have done it b/c it is the right thing to do. I can tell you that I have been on the phone and email and FB messenger sooooo many hours the past few months trying to investigate more companies, that my blogging is suffering and you can see that from how few posts I have published.
There has to be a limit. But some violations are egregious.
Are there other good companies out there? Yes. Many? The majority are not companies that I would work with. Some that might have quality oils are not an option for other reasons. Sometimes it's the marketing practice, sometimes it's another factor that I can't write about (I've had cryptic threatening emails before telling me not to publish certain things!).......
I hope that helps. Please let me know if you have other questions.
Love your blogs!
I am new to EOs and wondering if you could comment on the distillery equipment and whether or not it is an issue. I recently heard from a YL rep their distilleries use stainless steel because aluminum and iron and toxic. The rep also said no other company can use stainless steel because YL has a patent. How does RMO test for these metals if the GC/MS test can’t check?
Thanks!
Hi Lon - thanks for reading and for writing!
Here is the information that I can share with you:
Young Living in fact does not appear to have a patent on the use of stainless steel in distilleries. It would obviously be very complicated for them to enforce that---there are very few essential oil suppliers there are in the industry and Young Living in fact gets some of its oils from the same place as other companies. I added that info this post: https://wholenewmom.com/what-to-buy/best-essential-oils-company-young-living-review-doterra-review/
The US Patent states in Section 101 of the U.S Patent Act that an invention can only be patented if it meets the following four requirements:
The invention must be statutory
The invention must be new
The invention must be useful
The invention must be non-obvious
When distilling essential oils there are two metals that can be used to yield premium quality oils. They are copper and stainless steel. Although copper is not as commonly used as stainles, it is still a metal that is safe.
RMO has direct buying relationships with each of their suppliers. Each of them are required to meet stringent product and distillery guidelines before they consider buying the oil.
Through their process of selecting suppliers and their commitment to stringent quality testing, they guarantee that their essential oils contain no adulterants and heavy metals are not usually a concern. However, if it is ever needed, questioned or required, they do conduct the heavy metal testing.
I got this information from RMO and think I have represented them appropriately, however they will be coming out w/ an official statement on this.
Does that help? Happy to answer any other questions you may have and thanks for the kind words!
Have you researched Jade Bloom? I love their Peppermint.
I think so but I would look at this post: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/pure-essential-oils-testing/ thanks for reading!!
I just bought a 6 bottle kit from T.J. MAXX. ( I know, i know. You don't have to say it). The brand is Nature's Remedy from Pleasant Grove, Utah. States on the box gs/mc tested yet I can't find anywhere on the Internet a listing for this company. No home page. No business listing (yet there are other EO companies out of PG UTAH). I'm thinking I should return it and get my 20 bucks back. It also for external use only. Do they all? As a safety precaution? C Y A. type thing? Thanks so much for your blog. I just discovered it
Hi Xena. Not sure what you think I was going to say - perhaps something like "Don't buy your oils from TJ Maxx :)?....but anyhow, I think it goes w/o saying that if there is not way to check on their info I wouldn't use it. No thanks. I have heard enough bad stories. They don't all say external only but it's typical in the industry - yes, could be CYA or could be b/c it isn't pure but truthfully internal use should only be recommende when under the care of a professional practitioner or aromatherapist.
Welcome, by the way! More to come on oils (and more topics) - if you are so inclined you can sign up for my newsletter here: https://wholenewmom.com/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-essential-oils-before-you-buy/
Great article, thank you. A few people have asked you about Dr. Axe and I don't really see an answer. Would your recommend the oils he sells?
You are welcome. By reading the post you might be able to ascertain. However you could look at these as well.
https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/toxic-overload-health-concerns/essential-oils-testing-is-it-reliable/
https://wholenewmom.com/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-essential-oils-before-you-buy/
GC/MS batch testing is a must and every test should have a chemist's signature on it as well.
Also I could become an affiliate but I have not.
I hope that helps.
What an AWESOME post. Thank you for sharing this.
I'm an EOs researcher myself, but have only been at it for a few years. There is always so much to learn, especially as new information presents itself and as the industry grows (and sometimes tries to get over on potential clients thinking we won't want to become informed purchasers.).
I have learned some new information here on this post and this will inform me as I go forward in my own on-going research.
Thank you so much.
(P.S. I honestly cannot understand the OBSESSION with people trying to prove their BRAND is the best. It's very strange to me. It's almost like the people in my family with football teams and the like. But the researcher in me thinks their is something more to it. It kinda has something to do with perhaps when we were little and felt the need to be right. I'm not too sure, but I know I can remember being this way up until a certain age. I remember my peers at that age sometimes being that way. Some continued this way, some grew out of it. I still sometimes see little ones around me being this way. Anyway, long story short is I wonder if this obsession comes from some unintegrated young part of us. A type of immaturity. I don't say that to be mean, either, because I've lots of immature parts to myself that I'm always learning about. Okay, I'm done for now, LOL.).
Oops...sorry for the mispellings. (I know that bothers some people.). I was typing fast without my glasses. Laziness on my part. : )
Peace!
You did pretty well for no glasses!
LOL! Thanks.
Hi again, Deb. Well, I think w/ many Direct Sales companies (and I do work w/ some) that people's livelihoods are on the line so they have to prove it or they lose income. As for others, I guess it's their company so they want to make money. I know there are other good companies. I just was pleased to find what I found. Thanks again!
Makes a lot of sense. Yes, I've been finding some nice companies out there.
All the best!
Could be that with all of the shenanigans in the industry, they believe those marketing terms are what they need. Not all marketers seriously take the consumer into account. They believe what they believe.
Hello,
I've always been interested in perhaps using essential oils for my family. I noticed that one of the popular brands in my country of Malaysia is Young Living. What is your opinion on the below product?
(Young Living Lavender Oil - link removed by blog owner)
Sorry but I don't allow Direct Sales links on my site - I talked about Young Living in this series. https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/the-great-essential-oils-showdown-in-search-of-the-best-essential-oils/
I have been reading your blog for a year now and truly appreciated the amount of research you do!
I have been purchasing RMO and have been very happy with their products. That being said, they are pricey and I am not objecting to that as I know from your research that I am getting great product.
Would you please give me your opinion on Eden's Gardens oils as I am thinking of buying larger bottles of some things.
Thankyou again for your time!
You are so welcome! More to come soon - I'm working on about 4 more posts.
These resources should help. https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/toxic-overload-health-concerns/essential-oils-testing-is-it-reliable/
https://wholenewmom.com/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-essential-oils-before-you-buy/
GC/MS batch testing is a must and every test should have a chemist's signature on it as well.
I started with DoTerra they are expensive. I now use oils mostly from Tropical Traditions. Go to their site and read about their oils. Not as expensive and good. No blends.
I read through your posts and alllllll the comments and questions and answers several years ago when I was on a quest for the right EO company. Thank you for all of your extensive research! I have been buying from RMO ever since and have loved everything! People have tried to sway me to other brands but I'm very loyal to RMO. Looking forward to your future articles!
Thank you! More coming soon! Take care!
I used to buy oils from the health food stores then someone showed me Doterra oils I used to use them but I found them too expensive for the amount that you would get so someone else introduce me to Young Living I found no difference in them they were exactly the same and the prices were 50-50 they're cheaper by couple of dollars on some things and some things they were the same amount to more than I went to escents and they are way cheaper to use Canadian brand only I love escents. Health food and escents are my only go to! Nothing else
There are several companies that I would trust other than the two MLM's. Your preferred co, which merged after your blog, and a couple other smsller one with less oils to offer. However, with your preferred Co merging after you wrote the 7 part series, would that change your position, as you did not mention the second co in your blog when I read it 2 years ago when I started my research and journey into EOs.
Hi John.
I take it that you are asking if I still am comfortable with the company that I chose since they merged? I am very confident in their purity. In fact, moreso now. I didn't mention the 2nd company at the time.....it all came together later and they were talking about merging so I guess it just didn't come up as being necessary since they had the same oils. That was my understanding. I hope that helps. Let me know if you meant to ask something else.
<> if this is free why does it say add to cart $2.95?
Thanks for the information you do share though -I appreciate it...
Hi Kathleen,
So sorry about that - the wrong link was in the post. It's fixed now and it is free for those who want to subscribe to my newsletter. Thanks for reading and for alerting me!
I have always used Doterra Oils. Just love them and I have never heard anything negative about them.
Curious what you've heard?
I used to be with doTERRA but ended up leaving. You can read more in this series and of course feel free to poke around as you like: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/the-great-essential-oils-showdown-in-search-of-the-best-essential-oils/
What company do you buy from-I hear doterra is the best-csn I actually get oils from you
Hi Doris.
This is the end of the series where I looked around to find the company that I wanted to go with. https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/announcing-the-best-essential-oils-company-and-a-great-sale/
Here is the beginning: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/the-great-essential-oils-showdown-in-search-of-the-best-essential-oils/ Hope that helps.
I personally who have used oils for 40 years..find the best quality and price online at BulkApothocary. They are the real deal
Thanks for sharing. I will be sharing how to find pure essential oils in the very near future. That post should be of interest.
I have found a company that is really intriguing-- Floracopeia. They have loads of videos and courses on their site and they have a lot of interesting oils that I haven't seen anywhere else. I haven't ordered anything yet because our Canadian dollar is so low right now. It just makes US purchases prohibitively expensive. But I am biding my time.
Living Libations in Canada I highly recommend, if you don't want to go with a MLM company such as Do-Terra or Young Living (I buy Young Living and Living Libations oils only; I don't know much about Do-Terra, but Young Living I am very happy with from a MLM perspective). ALL Living Libations products are amazing, and Nadine and Ron are ethically-minded, trustworthy, and beautiful people inside and out.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653504002929
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf980120e
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jafc.5b00985
I'd stick with organics on citrus and mint oils at a minimum. Potentially some rose /flower oils as well.
2 are older studies but these fungicides/pesticides are used in a lot of countries that grow the stuff.
Thanks for reading and for sharing. I will be addressing concerns of this nature in future posts.
Thank you for bringing up all of those valid points! So what brand of essential oil do you recommend?
You are welcome. This is the start of the series where I started wondering the same thing.....https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/the-great-essential-oils-showdown-in-search-of-the-best-essential-oils/
Then this is the final post.
https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/announcing-the-best-essential-oils-company-and-a-great-sale/
I hope that helps. More posts coming soon. I have 2 almost done.
Yes you raise good questions regarding the efficacy of EO's. I love my oils and they have been tested for purity. They are from DoTERRA. The company uses the tag "certified pure Theraputic grade". However in Canada as the oils are again put through rigorous testing we can only say that they are" certified pure grade". There are many oil companies in business. It is up to consumers to learn what they are buying. I read science so only will go with tested products. On FB there is a page that deals only with this. It is Essential Oil Consumer Reports.
Yes, I am aware of that group. Thanks for reading!