organic vs. non-organic vs. wild crafted essential oils
In an article written by Elizabeth Golden that appeared in Massage Magazine
Essential Oils, organic, wild crafted and more
There is so much information available to us from many different sources that it can be overwhelming and sometimes unclear regarding the simple differences among essential oils available today. Organic essential oils vs. non-organic vs. wild crafted. What is the difference? And what is the best choice from an ecological, sustainable, people-friendly and planet-friendly point of view? Wild Crafted essential oils come from plants that are not farmed or sprayed with any kind of pesticide. they are plants that are wild, native and organic by their own nature. Simply said, they are plants gathered from the wild! they are harvested in a sound, ethical and sustainable manner without the use of chemicals. This means that respect is given to the plant and only certain parts of the plant are used like the leaves or flowers etc. If a whole plant is taken, it is replaced with seeds to grow a new vital plant. many of these plants produce essential oils.
Essential Oils Come From Different Parts Of The World
Did you know that many of the essential oils that are wild crafted come from different parts of the world? Here are some examples of the most popular or widely used of the wild crafted essential oils and their origin:
Australia- eucalyptus, tea tree, sandalwood, anise, buddha wood and cypress leaf.
India- basil, sandalwood, nutmeg, palmarosa
Madagascar- ravensara, ylang-ylang
France- rosemary, lavender, spearmint, tarragon, thyme, vetiver, clary sage
Brazil- rosewood
Canada- white sage, ginger, spruce
Italy- tangerine, clary sage, mandarin
Nepal- spikenard
Asia- cananga, cardamom, bay laurel
Algeria- cedarwood atlas from the atlas mountains
Sri Lanka- cinnamon leaf, citronella, lemon grass
Indonesia- clove, patchouli
Egypt- sweet marjoram, anise
far east- neroli, orange
Northeast Africa- frankincense
Russia- pine needle
Morocco- chamomile
Mediterranean- rosemary, thyme, lavender
Turkey- oregano
Spain- spike lavender, thyme and sage
Most native wild crafted essential oils can be found in small distillers or by artisan distillers that specialize in pure high grade therapeutic essential oils. These are the essential oils that are used by aromatherapists.
Rose oil vibrates at the highest level of all essential oils.
Wild crafted essential oils, like organic and conventional essential oils, do change from season to season and you can expect a different type of crop each year.
Only a fragrance developed in a lab using chemicals is the same all the time.
Did you know that a wild plant such as lavender may be growing in one area of France and have another plant just 2 feet away from it of the same variety but be totally different?
Essential Oil Properties and Other Oils
The reason is that the plant may be pollinated differently or maybe a part of the plant had to defend itself from some type of fungus and therefore has a much stronger immune system. therefore, essential oil properties can vary even if they are from the same area or same plant when grown in the wild. mother nature is ever-changing. essential oils are usually added to some type of base oil, lotion, or gel. the following examples are wildcrafted oils from the rainforest that are used for healthy skincare: acai, andiroba, brazil nut, copaiba, annatto, buriti, and passion fruit oil. these are all sustainable in the rain forest and the amount used is controlled and monitored.
Organic Essential Oils are grown on a farm. the farmers that grow organic plants are certified and operate by a standard which translates into no harmful pesticides, fertilizers, or GMO plants (genetically modified organisms) being used to enhance growth. Organic plants are stronger plants because they have to maintain their own immune system and integrity. They are not dependent on chemicals to make them stronger or grow faster. the farmers that grow organic plants take an interest in their quality of production and are usually smaller farms, more of what we would call today a boutique farm or an artisan farm. Wild crafted essential oils and organic plants are provided with the best possible environment and as a result, the plants are stronger, purer, and provide a therapeutic grade of essential oils. These farmers cultivate highly prized plants and receive more money due to their purity and distinction. It is a win, win for everyone involved. Not only do these farmers provide a wonderful product but they do not contribute to the polluting of our environment. They do not use pesticides, synthetics, or other harmful ingredients that may run into our water supply compromising our ecosystem or aquatic life. The farmers that produce organic crops are more conscious about the world we live in and support holistic management of the earth.
Non-Organic Essential Oils or essential oils known as “conventional” are grown using pesticides. in other words, They are grown on a farm that uses pesticides as a means to control the life of the plant. It is the farmer’s way to make sure their crops will survive elements such as bugs, bacteria, and other living organisms that may threaten a plants life. Chemicals can help increase the size or rate of growth of the plant. They are not healthy for human consumption and they are not beneficial for our health. In fact they contribute to overloading our body unnecessarily with chemicals and toxins. They add excess strain on our organs and metabolism in order to process a “foreign substance” that the body does not recognize.
Non Organic Essential Oils
When chemicals are added to plants, they degenerate and adulterate the plant and its healing ability. These oils cannot be therapeutic, especially the less expensive oils.
Most essential oils sold worldwide are usually sold as “industrial grade oils”. This means that they are conventional oils sold to large industrial companies. These large industrial companies provide suppliers with oils that are used for flavoring food and making perfumes. These oils are not capable of offering any therapeutic quality.
Yhe information provided in this article is for you to decide what you want for yourself. remember,What you put on your body goes into your body. It is like food, so be mindful of how you want to care for it. Your body is an amazing biological system much more highly perfected than any technology available on the planet. We have lost touch with the innate healing ability of our own bodies. Your body can heal itself with the right diet, rest, and use of vital plants from the earth. Choose wisely and do not compromise yourself. Do your own research. Love your body! It is your temple!
Glossary Of Essential Oils
The essential oils listed below can be used in skin care products. They are known to have healing properties and are not used exclusively for skin care. If you would like to purchase some of our essential oil blends, please go to our essential oils products pages.
essential oil | skin care | emotional attributes |
---|---|---|
Balsam Peru | Promotes healthy growth of skin tissue | Do not use if you are pregnant |
Basil | Used in perfume bases | Stimulates the mind |
Benzoin | Good as a preservative for cosmetics and lotions | Grounding |
Bergamot | Good for acne and should not be used for sensitive skin, phototoxic | Uplifting and relaxing |
Black pepper | Good for blood circulation on skin | Warming and stimulating, good for massage blended with other essential oils |
Carrot | Relieves skin irritation and is rich in vitamin a | Do not use when pregnant |
Cedarwood Atlas | Good for oily skin | A very sacred ancient tree, grounding |
Chamomile, Roman | Used in perfumes and body care products for thousands of years | Soothing and relaxing |
Champaca oil | Food in a massage oil or perfume, very sweet | Uplifting and euphoric |
Clary sage | Rejuvenates skin cells, good for mature skin and acne | Grounding and relaxation, do not use while pregnant |
Clove | Antiseptic and anti-fungal | Helps stimulate the mind |
Coriander | Warming for massage and helps with skin impurities | Stimulant |
Cypress | Good for use in massage for circulation | Uplifting, stimulating and relaxing |
Eucalyptus | Effective in the treatment of acne and has anti-inflammatory properties | Refreshing |
Fennel | Use after your bath with a carrier oil to scrub away dead skin cells; helps cellulite, heals bruises | Stimulant do not use while pregnant |
Frankincense | Good for acne and wrinkles | Sacred oil used in ceremonies very grounding and relaxing |
Geranium, Rose | Good for oily or dry skin, aging, wrinkled or older skin | Uplifting and stimulates the mind |
Grapefruit | Stimulates skin so it will look healthier | Relieves anxiety |
Helichrysum | Effective with skin regeneration & acne, non-irritating | Stimulating |
Honeysuckle | Wonderful for a sweet perfume | Soothing and relaxing |
Hyssop oil | For wounds, sores and eczema | Emotional stress |
Inula oil | For skin rashes | Sedative |
Jasmine | Dry sensitive skin, rejuvenate aging or mature skin | Uplifting aphrodisiac |
Lavender | Wound healing, soothing, antiseptic and good for burns | Calming and relaxing |
Lemon | Oily skin, good for bruises | Uplifting |
Lemongrass | Very strong and must be diluted. good for oily hair and skin | Do not use while pregnant |
Mandarin | Very gentle for skin care or massage. can be used on babies and the elderly | Relaxing and uplifting |
Marjoram | Good for bruises, burns and inflammation & sports massage | Good for stress and grief |
Myrrh | Revitalizing aging skin | Cacred oil used in ceremony grounding and relaxing |
Neroli | For dry and sensitive skin | Used for grief, very uplifting and balancing |
Oakmoss | Used in perfumery as a fixative | Do not use if pregnant |
Orange | Good for oily skin, do not go into the sun | Refreshing and uplifting |
Palmarosa | Cellular regeneration, good for mature skin | Stimulating and soothing |
Patchouli | Rejuvenate, restore and invigorate mature skin | Grounding and uplifting, mind stimulating |
Peppermint | Skin cleanser | Refreshing, cooling, soothing and calming |
Petigrain | Refreshing to the skin, don’t go into the sun | Uplifting and refreshing to the senses |
Ravensare | Good skin tonic & used for acne | Good for stress |
Rose | Nourishing for mature skin, good for all skin types | Relaxing, uplifting & has the highest vibration of all the essential oils |
Rosemary | Good for massage and wound cleaning | Refreshing and stimulating |
Sandalwood | Soothing, moisturizing & beneficial for dry chapped skin. good for all skin types | Sacred oil, relaxing, stimulating & grounding |
Spikenard | A very precious oil used for skin irritation and mature skin | Relaxing and calming |
Tea tree | Use externally for deep wounds, scratches, sunburn and insect bites It’s great in a first aid kit, use undiluted, except on sensitive skin | Stimulating |
Thyme | Skin cleansing & good to use in a massage to help with circulation | Uplifting, do not use while pregnant and always dilute this oil, its very strong |
Tuberose | Used in perfumery | Aphrodisiac & strengthens the emotions |
Vanilla | Used in perfumery & food | Warming, soothing & an aphrodisiac |
Verbena, Lemon | Cleansing & good for acne | Refreshing, calming and soothing |
Vetiver | Used as a fixative in perfumes and good for mature skin | Comforting and calming |
Violet | Good for all forms of skin irritation, extremely expensive | Soothing and comforting |
Yarrow | Used for rashes, wound healing & scars | Relaxing and calming |
Ylang-Ylang | Good for massage, dry & mature skin | Aphrodisiac, uplifting and soothing |
Always Use A Carrier Oil with an Essential Oil
It is important to have a good understanding about essential oil uses & methods, etc. Do not use undiluted essential oils on your skin. Always use a carrier oil, cream or lotion base. golden earth products are in a base carrier for safe and proper use of essential oils.
If you are pregnant, check with a certified aromatherapist before using any essential oils. Most essential oils are not to be used during pregnancy; they include, and are not limited to balsam peru, basil, carrot, clary sage, clove, cinnamon, fennel, hyssop, juniper, lemongrass, marjoram, myrrh, oakmoss, peppermint, rosemary, sage and thyme.
Oils that make your skin more susceptible to sunburn – are called phototoxic. Here are a few examples: All citrus oils, cinnamon, lemon, lemon verbena, bergamot, lime and orange. Some people may be sensitive to oils that are not listed here so please be mindful, Everyone is unique. It is recommended that after using these essential oils, you must stay out of the sun for 2-3 hours or longer.