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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 díAromatologie)- 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.
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.
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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)
It is therefore written: Cinnamomum zeylanicum p.o. leaves, or
p.o. bark, or p.o. roots.
3. The biochemical specificity
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:
-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.
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