Recreational aromatherapy, which is what we normally see
advertised in the media, can get away with purchasing essential oils of unknown
origin or quality. But, for therapeutic medicinal purposes that is not the
case. A therapeutic grade oil must be able to be traced back to the field and
distiller from which it was produced and the exact chemical makeup must be
known. This is why we have chosen to carry E.O.B.B.D (H.E.B.B.D. in French)
oils. The E.O.B.B.D. label is your guarantee of purity. This label is only
granted through the I.N.S.A. - (Institut de Normalization Scientifique
d’Aromatologie)- a scientific committee of independent health professionals
based in Europe. E.O.B.B.D. means essential oils botanically and biochemically
defined. Our source laboratory in France, was awarded the H.E.B.B.D.
certification, as a result of origin and quality controls operated on each lot
of essential oil sold. A real quality-assurance system is set up: tracing of
lots, botanical description, organoleptic characteristics, extraction mode,
full physical and chemical analyses (GC/MS coupling). These controls are made
under the responsibility of a Ph.D. pharmacist. For
therapeutic use, essential oils must meet various standards guaranteeing
origin.
1. The exact botanical species of
the plant
The
term Lavender for example is inadequate because there is more than one species
of lavender. Each species has its own particular aroma, and a specific essence
is found in its tissues. A properly defined botanical species gives the name of
the TYPE in Latin, followed by a QUALITATIVE DESCRIPTION, and sometimes the
VARIETY, if such exists.
Lavandula,
then, is not a species but a general name which covers many types of lavender
such as: vera, spica, stoechas, hybrida, these being qualitative descriptions
of individual different types of lavender. The association of the TYPE and
DESCRIPTION defines the BOTANICAL SPECIES, for example: Lavandula vera,
Lavandula hybrida.
2. The producing organ
This
precision is of little concern when the entire plant is distilled, (as with
Mentha piperita - Peppermint) but it must be of relevance in the case of
certain plants principally trees or aromatic shrubs, because the essence varies
qualitatively according to the part of the plant being considered.
Cinnamomum
zeylanicum or Cinnamon of Ceylon (LAURACEAES) expands into three specific
essences:
- Essential oil of leaves, rich in eugenol (phenol)
- Essential oil of bark, rich in cinnamaldehyde (aldehyde)
- Essential oil of roots, rich in borneol (ketone)
According to its biochemical specificity, the
essential oil of any given species will have some individual characteristics of
its own. The data of this specificity shows the composition, which provides the
essential oil with its particular therapeutic action, though such components
are not necessarily in the majority. The biochemical specificity must then be
mentioned so that the therapeutic use of the essential oil corresponds to its
properties.
Example: Thymus vulgaris b.s. linalool, Thymus vulgaris b.s. thymol, Thymus vulgaris b.s. citronellol, etc. Furthermore, the essential oil having the following characteristics must absolutely be rejected:
Example: Thymus vulgaris b.s. linalool, Thymus vulgaris b.s. thymol, Thymus vulgaris b.s. citronellol, etc. Furthermore, the essential oil having the following characteristics must absolutely be rejected:
·
deterpened essential oil
·
chemically reconstituted essential oil (Niaouli, frequently is)
·
adulterated essential oil (when synthetic aromatic products are
added)
·
essential oil diluted with less
precious essential oil
·
essential oil extracted with
organic solvents
·
burned essential oil (distilled
at too high a temperature and pressure)
With such products it is impossible to
practice aromatic medicine. Their use leads quickly to manifestations of
intolerance and intoxication, which are contrary to the balance and health that
we seek. We
feel incredibly fortunate to have such high quality suppliers with such
integrity and dedication. I know each and everyone of our suppliers personally.
Everyone of them is esteemed within the professional aromatherapy world. We
have much to be excited about. There are many great things in store for us all
in this aromatic adventure we are taking together.
Excerpt from "A Collection of Aromatherapy Recipes: From The Still Room", by Alexandria Brighton