Essential oils are the highly concentrated version of the natural oils in plants which are produced from plant materials such as leaves, bark, stems, flowers, or grasses. You probably look for the organic option when buying fruits or vegetables. So, should you be doing same for your favorite essential oils? Essential oils are, after all, highly concentrated. So, if pesticides are used on the plants that produce these oils, the chemical load is highly concentrated too which can really affect your health and environment.
A true ‘organic’ essential oil is one that has not only been derived from crops cultivated without harmful pesticides and other synthetic additives, but also where farming practices have been mindful of soil quality and the introduction of potentially harmful agents by avoiding GMO’s and chemical contaminants.
The organic versus non-organic debate with essential oils is slightly different than that with food because approximately 60% of plant material used to distill essential oils is grown in countries that do not have organic standards or certification. Some plants used for essential oil production are grown and harvested wild where presumably fewer chemicals reach them but of course there are no guarantees and there are no certification standards for wild-crafted crops. Also, another reason is Pesticides aren’t as big of an issue for many essential oils as you might expect for many of the plants that are commonly used for essential oils like lavender, rosemary, citronella, thyme, and clove which are so effective at repelling bugs that they’re not vulnerable to most pests. But there can be exception for some citrus essential oils made from fruits like orange, lemon and grapefruit as they are not naturally pest-resistant and citrus essential oils are almost always cold-pressed, where the other oils are squeezed out of the plant instead of distilled through heat.
Certified Organic oils originate from plants and herbs that have met strict requirements in terms of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and GMOs, and may therefore be healthier and less toxic in general. Organic essential oils may also smell better compared to conventional varieties due to differences in their main constituents. However, some believe that due to the conditions of steam distillation, which is typically how essential oils are produced (the notable exception being cold-pressed oils like Citrus), the chances of pesticides entering the final product are minimized nonetheless. In either case, those who are concerned about the potential effects of chemical or pesticide residues arising from cultivation or processing may purchase organic essential oils for better peace of mind.
PRODUCTS: