Are Organic Essential Oils Worth It?

~ Millennium River
Disclosure: Millennium River is an independent, professional website that uses hyperlinks. Some of these hyperlinks are affiliate links. When you click and purchase a product(s) through these links, I may earn a commission on qualifying sales. This is done at no extra expense to you. Consider also supporting this website via PayPal. Unless it is clearly stated, the content is not sponsored. This article is affiliated with Plant Therapy.

Smelling Good Since Ancient Times

Oils, ointments, and perfumes have been used since ancient times. Early humans quickly caught on that some plants smelled a lot better than others. Not only did some plants just simply smell good, they had other benefits too, including anti-bacterial properties, aromatherapy, naturally repelling pests, and other benefits. The Ancient Egyptians used many types of essential oils, with their favourites being Frankincense, Sandalwood, Myrrh, Cinnamon, and Cypress. During those times, ancient peoples did not have the type pesticides available now. This means that they had to make repellents through all-naturel means, whether by burning certain plants, using the oils from effective plants, or even using animals to repel animals. Cats for instance, became widely known and used for hunting vermin. Even ducks, have their use for eating unwanted bugs.

Conventional Versus Organic

There is a noticeable price difference between conventionally grown versus organically grown essential oil. The cost of organic essential oil can cost anywhere from 20% to 70% more than their conventionally grown counterparts. Why? This is due to the fact that it is more expensive to grow and protect plants without mass-produced chemicals or the use of genetic modification. Aside from “sticker shock” some people also criticize organic products as not being worth the asking price for sticker label, and that conventionally grown products can be of the same quality. Is there any truth to these claims? It is certainly true that conventionally grown essential oils can still smell good and perform their functions. However, to say that organic grown essential oils are scams asking for higher prices is false. If such product claims to be organic without a label of certification however, then that product could very well be a scam.

A Label With Meaning

When a product says that it is free of common allergens like dairy, nuts, and shellfish, it is because it has been legally certified to make that claim. Likewise, the same is true for organically grown essential oils. Companies cannot just place a Canada Organic or USDA Organic label as if they were cosmetic decorations. To use this label, producers must demonstrate a commitment towards more natural and natural-based farming and/or foraging practices. This same approach applies to essential oils. Suppliers and companies dedicated to organic standards are committed to creating high-quality, safe, and pure oils that have been derived from crops subjected to natural and organic farming and production practices.

Standards

Producers and companies who seek to sell essential oils with organic claims must adhere to standards set by locally governing authorities as well as any other labelling regulations or restrictions in the area they are being sold. In the United States, organic claims must adhere to USDA conventions and FDA regulations for cosmetic labeling and safety, as stated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and the Fair Packaging and Labeling (FP&L) Act. In Canada, The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulates the use of the Canada organic logo. Only products with organic content that is greater than or equal to 95% may be labelled or advertised as “organic” or bear the organic logo.

A genuine organic essential oil is one that has not only been derived through the use of natural methods as much as possible, but also where farming practices have been conscious of soil quality. Example: the introduction of potentially harmful agents by avoiding mono-cropping or the use of genetically modified organisms, and the end-to-end manufacturing and production process of the oil is accounted for in terms of chemical contaminants. What does this all mean? Organic essential oils represent an act and philosophy that is created to be environmentally friendly, sustainable, healthy, and more supportive towards the agricultural community as a whole.

Are Organic Essential Oils Really Better?

If the essential oil is certified organic, then yes, it really is better. As noted above, a company cannot legally place “Certified Organic” on a label, without following the legal requirements. The production of organic essentials oils is therefore better for the environment, especially from plants that would conventionally use a lot of pesticides. This makes consumers feel good and confident knowing that their oils were responsibly sourced and produced. The next question to address would be a matter of whether the quality of such oil is truly better: would organic peppermint oil smell or taste better than conventionally grown peppermint oil? At this point, people would very well know that the organically grown oil is better for the environment, but what about the actual quality of the finished product?

Truthfully, organic production does not automatically guarantee an oil will be better than its conventional counterpart. Organic also does not mean 100% free of pesticides and pollution, and regulators are aware of this, hence why products are not allowed to say “100% organic”, regardless of certification. However, because certified organic products are grown as naturally as possible, this does tend to result in oil of better quality. The drastic reduction of toxicity is helpful for people with sensitive skin. After all, organic farming is both a philosophy and practice that one does not pick up casually on the whim. Much care, thought, ethics, and yes even love, has to be put into it.

Where To Buy

Organic essential oils can be bought at a wide range of stores online or in-person. The United States in particular stands out for having a gigantic catalogue of stores and brands that either wholly or predominantly focus on essential oils. Plant Therapy is one of them. The Twin Falls, Idaho-based company was founded in 2011 and says that their mission is to bring people natural living options at an affordable price. Their people-first promise keeps their customers, employees, and community at the heart of everything they do. Plant Therapy has grown to be a trusted place to buy essential oils, body care, and household items. More than 10 years later, the company has grown, but maintains that they have retained the same good team dedicated bringing people quality natural living.

In terms of organic essential oils Plant Therapy offers the following, including many others not listed here:

Plant Therapy ships internationally to most countries, with Canada and the United Kingdom being honourable mentions on their international shipping list.

Published by Millennium River

Michael “Millennium River” is a remote writer based in Canada. He enjoys writing about topics that are of his interest. After writing, researching, reading and browsing many topics over the years, he felt that it was only a matter of time before he would create a professional-themed website. This website allows him to continue honing his craft, while doing something enjoyable.

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