Four Basic Ways To Test the Purity of Essential Oils

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These tests can be performed at home.

  1. You will need a clean white sheet of blotting or watercolor paper. Place on drop of essential oil on the paper. Wait 24 to 48 hours. The essential oil should evaporate completely and leave no oily film. Non-colored Citrus oils are best suited for this test.
  2. In a clear glass of water, drop one drop of essential oil. If the water turns discolored or milky, the essential oil has been diluted with water and an emulsifier has been used to keep the essential oil and water together, which means, this is not  pure essential oil.
  3. Compare viscosity by placing a drop of essential oil between two fingers on one hand and a drop of carrier oil between two fingers on the other hand. You should no feel the same oily texture to the essential oil as you feel with the base oil. If both feel the same, it is possible the essential oil has been extended in a carrier or base oil.
  4. Probably the most powerful tool of all is our nose and sense of smell. This is particularly true if you have smelled and tested many different essential oils, knowing how each should smell or not smell. You might try first smelling an excellent quality essential oil, then immediately smell an essential oil of questionable low quality such as one sold cheaply in an retail outlet store. You should smell or notice a distinct difference in the quality and effect of the two aromas. As you practice using this technique, your nose will be a powerful lead in determining high quality, pure essential oils.
Connie Limon, Aromatherapist, Level 1

Learn more in my Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/healthwellnessusingessentialoils/about/




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