What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. They can be both beautifully and powerfully fragrant. If you have ever enjoyed the gift of a rose, a walk by a field of lavender, or the smell of freshly cut mint, you have experienced the aromatic qualities of essential oils. Essential oils can lift the mood, calm the senses, and elicit powerful emotional responses. Yet the use of essential oils goes well beyond their fragrant appeal. Essential oils have been used throughout history in many cultures for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits. Modern trends toward more holistic approaches to self care and growing scientific validation of alternative health practices are driving a rediscovery of the profound health benefits of essential oils. Many have powerful cleansing properties. Their unique chemical structure allows them to pass directly through the skin for immediate systemic response to topical application. Certain oils may be used as dietary aids to promote vitality and well-being.
Extraction Methods
Therapeutic-grade essential oils are most often extracted via a low-heat steam distillation process in which steam is circulated under pressure through plant material, liberating the essential oils into the steam. As the steam mixture cools, the water and oils are separated and the oil is collected in its pure form. To ensure the highest quality oil extract of correct chemical composition, temperature and pressure must be monitored very closely. Too little heat and pressure will not release the valuable oil; too much can fracture an extract’s delicate chemical composition and alter its potency. Equally important to the carefully controlled extraction process, the meticulous selection of correct plant species and plant parts harvested at the perfect moment when their essential oil compounds are most concentrated, is also required for a quality therapeutic-grade essential oil extract. This complex process is as much an art form as it is a science and requires experienced growers and distillers working together to ensure a superior product.
CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade
dōTERRA® CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils are pure, natural, aromatic compounds carefully extracted from plants. They do not contain fillers or artificial ingredients that would dilute their active qualities and are free of contaminants such as pesticides or other chemical residues. As important as it is to keep contaminants out of our oils, assuring the presence of the oils’ active compounds at the right levels is necessary to guarantee safety and effectiveness. Many oils claim to be therapeutic grade, and some may be pure, but few are subjected to rigorous testing standards for chemical composition. dōTERRA CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® essential oils are cross tested using Mass Spectrometry and Gas Chromatography to ensure both the extract purity and composition potency of each batch. dōTERRA works closely with a global network of leading essential oil chemists and growers to select botanicals of the correct species, grown in the ideal environments, and carefully harvested at the right time. The aromatic compounds of the plants are skillfully extracted by experienced distillers and subjected to chemical analysis to ensure purity and composition. dōTERRA CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils represent the safest and most beneficial oils available in the world today.
Uses
Essential oils are used for a very wide range of emotional and physical wellness applications. They can be used singly or in complex blends depending on user experience and desired benefit. Essential oils are usually administered by one of three methods: diffused aromatically, applied topically to the skin, or taken internally as dietary supplements. Using essential oils can be both profoundly simple and life changing at the same time. Working with someone who has used essential oils before will help first-time users have a more beneficial and enjoyable experience. Essential oils are naturally safe and have few, if any, undesirable side effects when used as directed. They are, however, powerfully concentrated and should be used with care. Be sure to use only pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils and follow all label warnings and instructions. Essential oils should never be used in the eyes or inside the ear canal. If redness or irritation occurs when using essential oils topically, simply apply a vegetable oil such as fractionated coconut oil to the affected area—water will not dilute essential oils. Consult your physician before using essential oils if you are pregnant or under a doctor’s care. Look for the following symbols by the essential oil product descriptions in this product guide to help you with your oil selection. (Use instructions and appropriate cautions included on individual essential oil labels.)
The dōTERRA® network of botanical growers and distillers spans the globe from Italy to Madagascar, India to Corsica. Only the purest and most potent essential oils meet the strict standards of CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade®. Accept nothing less from your wellness professional or for your family.
Where do I start?
Using essential oils is intuitively simple and highly satisfying. However, the many oils available with their numberless combinations and wellness applications can be a bit overwhelming to beginners. As a simple first step on your journey with essential oils, we recommend a trio of Lavender, Lemon, and Peppermint. Three of our most popular oils, they will provide you and your family a compelling experience with the life-enhancing properties of therapeutic-grade essential oils.
Source: DoTERRA product guide 2015
