ProduCt sPotlgHt
terated (nothing else added to the distil-
lation), genuine (it is what it’s said to
be) and authentic (from a specified plant
source). Plus, it’s growing and culti-
vation methods for the plants are of the
highest caliber.
While there is no official “grading”
system for essential oils, per se, here are
a few ways to identify companies who
produce or distribute high quality oils:
l They only carry pure essential oils,
no fragrance extracts and source a
high number of certified organic or
pesticide-free essential oils.
l They reference the Latin botanical
name, so you can compare the plant
source.
l They often provide gas chromato-
graph tests from a mass spectrometer
to reveal the chemistry profile of the
oil.
l They supply MSDS sheets and other
information regarding chemical make-
up of the product.
36
PULSE
■
August 2018
l
They have a good reputation in the
aromatherapy and spa industries and
are known for their quality and
integrity.
l They distinguish between organically-
grown, wild-crafted and
conventionally farmed, so you know
how the plant material was culti-
vated.
l They don’t dilute their essential oils.
If or when they do dilute, they clearly
label which ones and why. This is a
very important question to ask.
Therapeutic efficacy is also an
important factor. The objective of spa
services should be to deliver not only a
pleasant and relaxing experience, but also
therapeutic efficacy. If this is our
framework, then lightly-scented oils
cannot be considered the same caliber
product as therapeutic-grade blends that
have been traditionally used in
aromatherapy massage and skin care.
The chemical make-up of an
aromatherapy blend or an essential oil
determines what physical affects it will
have on the body and emotions. For
essential oils, there can be many varia-
tions in their chemical compositions
based on harvest time, country of origin,
the soil and climate conditions, what part
of the plant is used (stem, leaf, flower),
the distillation process used and, finally,
how it is transported and stored.
the Changing Perception of spa
Over the past 10 years, the spa industry
has campaigned to shift the perception
that spa is just a luxury experience—
an extravagance to celebrate a special
occasion such as a birthday or
anniversary. Industry leaders have made
a concerted effort to evolve the image of
spa from a pampering indulgence to an
important, and necessary, part of our
fast-paced lives, helping us maintain a
healthy, wellness-focused lifestyle.
We need to continue to educate both