As natural body care products and aromatherapy become popular, the distinctive oils of plants are attracting more and more attention. As in any money-making field, there are reputable, responsible manufacturers and those who offer inferior products. If you want the best for mental, emotional, and physical health, choose organic and wildcrafted essential oils from a company with certification as well as independent ratings by an industry watchdog organization.
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 oil, these fragile plant compounds can be easily damaged by using high heat or chemical solvents in extraction. They can also be rendered impotent by exposure to sunlight and air for long periods. Harvesting and processing must be properly done and carefully monitored to give a pure, clean product to consumers. Organic oil will have been grown without the use of chemical fertilizer, herbicides, or pesticides, and extracted by mechanical rather than chemical means.
Getting the oils from the field (or woods) to the final commercially-available bottle is tricky, as well. The plant essences must be quickly processed in small batches (machinery heats up quickly as it operates) and packaged in dark glass bottles. Shipping and storage is important as well, to keep the product from heat and light.
A plant is 'wildcrafted' when it is harvested from its natural habitat. This was a common practice before people began to worry that plants might be over-harvested. Today companies may own tracts of wilderness where harvesting can be carefully monitored, or they may grow their own raw material in as natural a way as possible. Organic farming regulations address such things as method of growth and soil enrichment.
A lot of things go into harvesting and handling the volatile parts of beneficial plants. Some herbs must be harvested first thing in the morning, while others are most potent when the sun is high. Some things are most beneficial in the spring, while many roots are dug in the fall, after a full growing season. Weather, location, and time of year can all affect the final product, so expertise is needed.
Most companies that go to the trouble and expense of achieving an organic certification care deeply about giving their customers the very best products on the market. Most that exploit the wild habitats care about their viability and preservation. Consumers who determine to support only companies that follow good manufacturing practices help to protect both the planet and the industry.
The volatile oil of a plant can have significant health benefits. It can also add to the quality of life, as lavender or peppermint which soothe or energize. The science of aromatherapy is fascinating and can enhance health and well-being if high-quality products are used properly.
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 oil, these fragile plant compounds can be easily damaged by using high heat or chemical solvents in extraction. They can also be rendered impotent by exposure to sunlight and air for long periods. Harvesting and processing must be properly done and carefully monitored to give a pure, clean product to consumers. Organic oil will have been grown without the use of chemical fertilizer, herbicides, or pesticides, and extracted by mechanical rather than chemical means.
Getting the oils from the field (or woods) to the final commercially-available bottle is tricky, as well. The plant essences must be quickly processed in small batches (machinery heats up quickly as it operates) and packaged in dark glass bottles. Shipping and storage is important as well, to keep the product from heat and light.
A plant is 'wildcrafted' when it is harvested from its natural habitat. This was a common practice before people began to worry that plants might be over-harvested. Today companies may own tracts of wilderness where harvesting can be carefully monitored, or they may grow their own raw material in as natural a way as possible. Organic farming regulations address such things as method of growth and soil enrichment.
A lot of things go into harvesting and handling the volatile parts of beneficial plants. Some herbs must be harvested first thing in the morning, while others are most potent when the sun is high. Some things are most beneficial in the spring, while many roots are dug in the fall, after a full growing season. Weather, location, and time of year can all affect the final product, so expertise is needed.
Most companies that go to the trouble and expense of achieving an organic certification care deeply about giving their customers the very best products on the market. Most that exploit the wild habitats care about their viability and preservation. Consumers who determine to support only companies that follow good manufacturing practices help to protect both the planet and the industry.
The volatile oil of a plant can have significant health benefits. It can also add to the quality of life, as lavender or peppermint which soothe or energize. The science of aromatherapy is fascinating and can enhance health and well-being if high-quality products are used properly.
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You can find a summary of the reasons why you should use organic and wildcrafted essential oils at http://www.naturalassortments.com right now.
