I am not even sure if using and diffusing essential oils is SAFE for you. This testing is crucial to verify the potency of the oil and the oil’s medicinal quality. Refractive Index. We mainly focus on essential oil accessories, like our (really gorgeous!) Heavy metal testing shows the amount of heavy metal content in any given essential oil. To say that they changed my life forever would be an understatement. When properly distilled, essential oils shouldn’t contain heavy metals. Our list of essential oil companies was originally organized at random, with no correlation between the position of a company on our list and the laboratory results for their essential oil samples. The lab also accepts other natural products for testing. The Essential Oil Analysis Foundation is an organization founded in an attempt to bring accountability into the industry through competent GC/MS testing made available for free to the consumer, using only labs that specialize in essential oil analysis. Examples of essential oil components for which authenticity testing using isotopic methods have proven effective are benzaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, anethole, etc. Below are the most recent results of comprehensive GC/MS testing for our top fifteen oils by our lab, which you can view by clicking on their icons. If you expect to achieve results similar to those described in this testimonial, then ensure that you are using oils from pesticide-free plants. Jalali-Heravi, M., & Parastar, H. (2011). So, this is equivalent to someone tracking dirty water onto your floor and you spraying Thieves Spray onto it and waiting 5 minutes. Pure, unadulterated Essential Oils!! If you would like to be informed when new results are posted, you can join me on. Find Out 4 Ways to Know if an Essential Oil is Pure.Plus a Simple Blotter Test You Can Do to Assess Purity. In the meantime, I'm sticking using Zylast hand sanitizer (I recommend the Zylast antiseptic and NOT the Zylast lotion). However, as much as we love essential oils, we agree that in order to do a. disinfection of a room something stronger is probably going to be necessary. I put 1mL of this germ water onto each countertop square. In previous experiments, So, this does not mean that the Thieves Spray doesn't kill, germs. (2010, April 27). We provide GC/MS test results from a verified third party, for each one of our products, along with a easy to view fact sheet. The oils mixed with coconut did much better killing germs, but not as well as the pure oils. I do not use or sell essential oils. I used the same procedure that I have been using. Work like yours promotes a healthy, balanced understanding of these awesome oils from nature, and we thank you for it! Retrieved March 29, 2017 from https://www.britannica.com/science/gas-chromatography, National Cancer Institute. I put 1mL of dirty germ water onto each square. I am not a medical doctor and nothing I say should be taken as medical advice. – How to Use & Benefits, How to Dilute Essential Oils & Dilution Calculator, Essential Oil Bracelet & Diffuser Necklace: Aromatherapy Jewelry, Essential Oils Starter Kit: Reference Guide, Carrying Case, & Bottles. I tested Thieves by Young Living, On Guard by doTERRA, Proshield by Ameo, Germ Fighter by Plant Therapy, and Kidsafe Germ Destroyer by Plant Therapy. I used the same procedure that I always do. We mainly focus on essential oil accessories, like our (really gorgeous!) In simple terms, a GC/MS separates an essential oil into which volatile aromatic compounds are present in the oil and at what amounts. Before essential oils can be tested, they must first be extracted from the plant source. There were only 2 colonies of bacteria on the Clorox hand and significantly more on the thieves/olive oil hand. Then I put 1mL of dirty germ-water onto each square. Then, I used masking tape to section off squares of my kitchen island. Based in Miami, Florida, Beta Analytic provides fast, high-quality natural vs synthetic essential oil testing by … Then I used a sterile swab to take samples from each square. Adulterated oils or perfume oils will not offer therapeutic results and may cause harmful effects including allergies, headaches, and chemical sensitivities. As usual, the Thieves and hydrogen peroxide did a good job inhibiting bacterial growth. There are even more oils similar to Thieves that I did not test, but you can read about them in this Essential Oil Blog. ), *Tests for Thieves and onGuard cleaners can be found on. If you would like more info about what the health benefits of essentials oils might be, you can contact this, Most of these oils were donated to me for testing. I p, . The Freshest of Oils Because we are a small “boutique” company specializing in the finest and freshest of essential oils, we order most of our oils in lb. As I mentioned before, it is possible that the oils are preventing the bacteria from multiplying by some means but are not actually killing them. You’re the scientist here, but we suspect this is thanks to making the effort to enjoy cleaner living in general while using essential oils to improve our overall well being. Seal the area with a non-medicated bandage in order to prevent water from getting in. Recent trends in application of multivariate curve resolution approaches for improving gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of essential oils. In case of any redness, rash or other forms of irritation on the skin, do not use the essential oil or essential oil product. Get our FREE Video Series here. This helps researchers determine purity, product consistency and catalog which components may have therapeutic effects.1,2,7, Want to learn more about essential oils? So what exactly what is the difference between qualitative and quantitative analysis? I test the Thieves spray while I was doing bunches of other oil experiments on the countertop. We sometimes see websites promoting essential oils as magical cure-alls, which they aren’t. The MS breaks the All I got was the donated product.). I also tested doTERRA brand Arborvitae. The Quality of Essential Oils. To be accurate results, essential oils should only be tested by labratories that specialize in essential oils to be able to appropriately evaluate the nuances of oil chemistry. I have created a book called "The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Essential Oils" that will teach you about some of the amazing benefits and uses that essential oils can provide in your home. Note: Not all essential oil brands are the same, and you get what you pay for. 70% isopropyl alcohol does not appear to be killing much either. Criteria to Consider When Shopping for Essential Oils. We have since organized the companies alphabetically, to counter any assumptions about positioning being related to a ranking order. Young living sellers are not allowed to sell on amazon so some of the Young Living oils on amazon could be counterfeit.) This is very important because it i… The plates incubated in my warm incubator for 24-36 hours. (I am still not an oil expert. When you look for the purest, most potent essential oils, you’re likely to find the top companies follow certain practices. Retrieved March 29, 2017 from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/aromatherapy-pdq#link/_46, The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. phd.annie@gmail.com. They found that the compounds displayed a range of hormonal activities, which may stimulate prepubertal gynecomastia in boys. Essential Oil Testing and Analysis. You can also buy the same ready-to-use, that I use on amazon. So, email me you suggestions. In this case isotopic testing will help: monitoring isotope ratios in key molecules (by SNIF-NMR 1 and IRMS 2) allow for the detection of added synthetic or biotechnological substitutes. Just like with anything you choose to inhale, put on your skin, ingest, and so on, nothing should be viewed in black and white terms. One of the most commonly used essential oil tests is standard Gas Chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID). Standard essential oil testing is used as a method to ensure product quality, purity and to help identify the presence of bioactive constitutes. 1,2 This form of testing allows scientific researchers, suppliers, manufacturers and businesses to determine the essential oil purity and quality. GC/MS stands for Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometry. Please do not feel pressured to order the products that I recommend. Put simply, qualitative testing helps to determine exactly what individual constituents are present in an essential oil, and quantitative testing provides information on how much of each component is present. Most alcohol based cleaners/disinfectants do NOT do well in the presence of dirt. These first 2 experiments used dirty water where I added EXTRA bacteria from a previous days plate. They. I tested Thieves and On Guard oils diluted with water or Coconut oil. What we’d love to see more of are people who have a realistic understanding of essential oils and their benefits, rather than those who think they’re somehow magical or those who dismiss them completely. I also noticed that Thieves and ON Guard do NOT mix with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. This means that depending on the season, harvest area and species of herb, the active compounds (and therapeutic benefits) may change. As the demand for natural and aromatherapy products increases, new terms have been introduced to describe the oil’s purported quality as a way of remaining competitive in the marketplace. To do this I put some of the oil on a sterile swab and rubbed it all over an agar plate. With no standard definition, or pre-market approval by the FDA, the term ‘Therapeutic Grade’ or ‘Grade A’ is simply a marketing term, and does not indicate an oil’s quality or purity. If you want to do experiments yourself, please read my, The first essential oil that I have tested is Thieves Oil made by Young Living. I purchase all my agar plates from amazon. Of these terms, ‘Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil’ is commonly displayed on labels of single oils or complex blends. I let the plates incubate overnight in my 98 degree F incubator. We soothe minor cuts and scrapes with essential oils. Gas chromatograph (GC) is a chemical analysis technique used to identify the volatile fractions (individual components) within a specific essential oil.1,2,3 The oil is vaporized then carried through the instrument via gas stream. We provide uncompromising research, analysis, and testing services to the broader essential oil, extracts, and aromatic plant products industry from around the world. and L. sizes and occasionally 5 L. Stay tuned...more on oils to come! Anyone seeking information about essential oil quality soon learns about the existence of gas chromatography (GC) testing. Simply enter your name and primary email address below: The North American Essential OilAnd Aromatherapy Experts. Our last round of funding was completed a few days ago and all oils have been ordered and shipped to the labs for testing. The best thing about making alternative household products yourself with essential oils is that you at least know exactly what’s in them. There are several methods of extraction, which can be chosen depending on which part of the plant contains the volatile oil. Thieves. Research like yours is important so that people have a clear understanding of what essential oils can and cannot do. In the context of essential oils, this can reveal when a petroleum-derived synthetic has been added to an essential oil, as petroleum will show up as millions of years old. I also tested Thieves oil, regular 3% hydrogen peroxide, and Zylast antiseptic hand sanitizer to compare. Keep reading to see how the oil/water combo did killing germs in the kitchen sink. I tested pure concentrated, Thieves and On Guard oils. The results of these tests are sometimes provided upon the oil's MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). Just like with anything you choose to inhale, put on your skin, ingest, and so on, nothing should be viewed in black and white terms. I also tested regular 3% Hydrogen Peroxide. Who is Dr. Pappas? In fact, they are all pretty mad that I am doing it. As you can see, diluting the oils in water really ruins their germ-killing ability. If one of those is better than the rest, my experiments are not sensitive enough to detect the difference. Then I swabbed the squares and rubbed them onto clean agar plates. Next I decided to test some other essential oils. (I put 1 teaspoon of thieves oil in a bottle with 4 teaspoons of olive oil.) ‘Therapeutic Grade’ or ‘Grade A’ invokes the concept of tiered quality system, and that only select essential oils may be worthy of these titles.2, It’s important to note that even though many reputable companies follow or go above and beyond Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), there is no regulatory standard or definition for ‘Therapeutic Grade’.2. They can do some really amazing things though. I am certain that Thieves oil would generate the same results mixed with water and used to clean the sink. I would be happy to test more. Retrieved March 29, 2017 from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/aromatherapy-pdq#link/_46, National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. The tiny whitish spots are piles of millions of bacteria. However, select companies do publish batch test results to promote transparency. However, the purity of the essential oil is important for making sure it is as effective as possible. The individual components are registered at different times and speeds, but it does not identify the name of exact constitute.2, To determine this, mass spectrometry (MS) is combined with gas chromatograph. Dr. Robert Pappas teaches essential oil chemistry classes at the Indiana University and is a leading authority in his field of GC/MS analysis and reporting the chemical breakdowns of essential oils, CO2s and absolutes. Sign in|Recent Site Activity|Report Abuse|Print Page|Powered By Google Sites. Results are often compared against a reliable sample to determine optimal … do some really amazing things though. These results “indicate the presence of additional Cinnamomum cassia (from phenylethyl alcohol, (E)-o-methoxycinnamaldehyde, and coumarin) and vanillin.” I let the germ water dry completely. In recent years, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) has become one of the most popular and standardized methods of testing essential oils.1,2 This form of testing allows scientific researchers, suppliers, manufacturers and businesses to determine the essential oil purity and quality. So, there was a lot of bacteria in these experiments. Those glovies are also super useful for crafts and other messy kid projects as well. This variation provides a good reason to conduct regular batch testing to ensure product quality and consistency. Who is Dr. Pappas? I think it absolutely kills bacteria, it just might not be quite as strong as the others. In recent years, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) has become one of the most popular and standardized methods of testing essential oils. For Therapeutic Results Your Essential Oil MUST Be Pure. If reports are not available online, users may inquire with the retailer to obtain a copy. wooden storage boxes, but our family uses essential oils on a regular basis for everything ranging from homemade cleaning products to soaps and shampoos… basically, if it’s possible to replace a store bought product with an organic alternative, we’ve probably tried it. Gas Chromatography. IRMS is not an alternative to GC/MS, but may be used in addition. Essential oil. The plate was incubated for 24 hours. ICP-MS testing uses a high-energy medium called inductively coupled plasma (ICP) to ionize the sample. Your research was so fascinating because we’ve found that using DIY cleaning recipes that involve essential oils have been very successful for us. Retrieved March 29, 2017 from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/aromatherapy-pdq#link/_46, Beynon, J. H. & Brown, L. (1999, July 26). My research is not supported or affiliated with ANY of the essential oil companies. I rubbed the dirty water all around the square with my gloved finger. In order for essential oils to have a therapeutic effect … In the United States, essential oils do not have a dedicated governing body that has established a universal grading system. (2016, April 6). (For a list of all my favorite hand sanitizers that kill norovirus, please read. Most of these are simple experiments and you can repeat them yourself if your child needs a great science fair project. This is not an attempt by one or several people to tarnish a companies reputation, but to seek truth. wooden storage boxes, but our family uses essential oils on a regular basis for everything ranging from homemade cleaning products to soaps and shampoos… basically, if it’s possible to replace a store bought product with an organic alternative, we’ve probably tried it. Aromatherapists (), massage therapists, and essential oil experts agree on certain criteria regarding essential oils.These standards can help you choose the top brands, too. Essential oils may be extracted through steam distillation, hydro distillation, solvent extraction, pressing, or effleurage (fat extraction).6. (I cannot test for viruses. This is not the case, as GC and MS are two separate pieces of equipment, each with its own purpose. Click here to get the FREE book. I “scribbled” all over the agar plates with the swab. Proving Purity Experts estimate that 80% of commercially available “pure” essential oils are adulterated in some way. Unlike other cosmetic products, essential oils are solely plant-based. Research like yours is important so that people have a clear understanding of what essential oils can and cannot do. I let the oils sit on the square for 5 minutes. I added 1mL of germ water onto each square and spread it around with my clean gloved hand. This time, I just put the thieves/olive oil combo on the left hand and the Clorox Hand Sanitizer on the right. I rubbed the germ water around and let it dry. Users can enter the unique batch or lot number online to find the GC/MS report that corresponds to their product. To verify that your essential oils are high quality, it is important that you learn the signs of a good essential oil and test the oils out for yourself. However, as much as we love essential oils, we agree that in order to do a total disinfection of a room something stronger is probably going to be necessary. Chemical analysis will also reveal when oils have been adulterated by impurities like; synthetic additives, extraction chemicals, pesticides, and other contaminants . :). I labeled the squares according to what I would put in each square. However, I can tell you whether or not they really kill bacteria. Does diffusing essential oils kill germs. In case you don't have experience growing bacteria on agar plates, the agar is like jello that bacteria like to grow on. First, I thoroughly cleaned my kitchen countertop. Essential oil adulteration continues to be an issue in the marketplace, according to testing results revealed by a major dietary supplement manufacturer. Retrieved March 29, 2017 from http://naha.org/assets/uploads/The_Quality_of_Essential_Oils_Journal.pdf, The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. Currently, essential oil manufacturers and retailers are not required to provide batch test information to consumers. After it was dry, I put .5mL of Thieves spray onto the square. , we’re very involved with essential oils on a daily basis. There is a danger in the mass popularity of essential oils and not just because of the way in which they are being used (or in many cases, overused), or that they are being sold widely by people whose only training is from the companies that stand to profit directly off mass consumption of these oils. Also, the brand should use 100% pure, high-quality essential oils that do not contain any synthetic additives. We GC/MS test every batch of oil we purchase from any distiller or distributor. Retrieved March 30, 2017 from. Essential Oil Testing and Analysis. (Do not buy any Young Living Oils on amazon. Then I put .5mL of product onto each square, spread it around with my clean gloved hand, and let it sit for 5 minutes. Having said that… we very rarely get stomach bugs or colds. NDA also provides the results of these latter analyses, which can be viewed in each essential oil's C of A (Certificate of Analysis) (available under the 'GCMS & Documents' tab in each product page). Over at Aroma Outfitters, we’re very involved with essential oils on a daily basis. I tested the Thieves Spray in an experiment with just bacteria and no dirt is present. you can make a small donation through PayPal. Essential oils are great, but if one of us had to have surgery, I think we’d prefer the scalpel was cleaned off with more than castile soap and lemon essential oil. I don't sell oils. There is also the impact this productio… If available, GC/MS reports can generally be found on a retailer’s website. Essential Oils for Fertility – Pregnancy, PCOS, Progesterone & Male Infertility, Best Essential Oils for Sore Throat & Strep Throat- Home Remedies without Antibiotics, Top Essential Oils to Induce Labor – Aromatherapy for Labor & Birth, Best Essential Oils for Pain Management – Back, Nerve, Neck, Shoulder & Knee, Top 12 Essential Oils for Acne, Pimples, Blackheads & Blemishes, Top 5 Essential Oils for Vertigo & Dizziness- Natural Vertigo Relief, Essential Oils | How Do Essential Oils Work? Clorox Hand Sanitizer because it is one of the few hand sanitizers that actually kill norovirus. They do dissolve in alcohol. Look at the 70% isopropyl alcohol results. This detection method adds to the quantitative ability of GC testing. Always follow the manufacturers directions when using essential oils, cleaners, hand sanitizers, and any other product in the world. The scientists applied pure essential lavender oil, tea tree oil, or eight of their chemical components to human cell lines in test tubes, known as in vitro experiments. E.O.B.B.D testing includes analysis of the chemical makeup of an essential oil. In fact, there is an oil for just about any thing you want to … (2014, December 17). Quality testing ensures that every bottle of essential oil contains nothing but 100 percent pure volatile aromatic compounds at the correct ratios to allow for maximum efficacy. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is considered the standard form of testing for essential oils. I started my journey with essential oils about 2 years ago after the birth of my first child. On these charts, you may see results like “Menthol, 50.4”. These results are frequently in the form of a chart. (n.d.). Results are often compared against a reliable sample to determine optimal quality, or changes from batch to batch. Whenever we’re evaluating a new essential oil that needs testing, we turn to Adam at EVS for testing: Essential Validation Services. Just because something is "natural" or "organic" doesn't mean it is safe. This next experiment used dirty water with NO ADDITIONAL bacteria added. Muscle testing has been a valuable tool for me in day-to-day decision making ever since I learned it; making the best choices for my children, decision-making while shopping, navigating my own life’s path personally, in my essential oils usage, and in business. The link below shows results of third-party testing of Young Living’s Thieves blend of essential oils. It may kill germs in an experiment with less dirt and less bacteria present. I tested olive oil, coconut oil, smart balance oil, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and chlorine bleach. In recent years, several retailers have made their batch testing available online. Apply the diluted essential oil on the forearm. The MS enables greater identification on main constituents by name, but not all. Essential Oils for Dogs – Can you use essential oils on dogs and pets? I let the germ water dry completely which took about 2 hours. The information in our articles in not intended as medical advice, or to replace a health care professional, https://www.britannica.com/science/mass-spectrometry, Essential Oils for Diabetes – Type 1, Type 2, & Diabetic Neuropathy. When it was dry, I added .5mL of each Essential Oil to its respective square and spread it around with my clean gloved hand. (Dirty +control, Clean-control, olive oil, thieves oil, smart balance oil, coconut oil, olive oil and thieves oil mixture, 10% chlorine bleach, 25% white vinegar, pure white vinegar, apple cider vinegar), Next I wanted to compare other similar Essential Oils from different companies. The second test that needs to be done on an essential oil is a Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (also known as GC/MS testing). We sometimes see websites promoting essential oils as magical cure-alls, which they aren’t. The lab provided details on the GC-MS and Carbon-14 test results as well as a backdrop of garlic oil adulteration. I am almost out of Thieves oil so I did not repeat this sink experiment with Thieves. If you have questions about these oils or would like to purchase some, please contact these companies. This means 50.4 percent of the oil tested was the compound we call “menthol”. After switching to as many all natural, essential oil based products as possible, we’re quite sure that our exposure to potentially harmful (and immune damaging?) Phone Soap & Cell Phone Cleaning Experiments, Materials, Methods, and Science Fair Project Help, article about olive oil killing cancer cells, Germ Fighter and Germ Destroyer by PLANT THERAPY, most ethanol based hand sanitizers do not do well on dirty hands. Certain essential oils are proven immune boosters. Annie, thank you for your awesome research here! In the photo, you just see the dirty water in one drop, but I spread it all around the square with my gloved hand. (n.d.). I also can't tell you if the oils will cure all of the assorted ailments that they are recommended for. Then I swabbed the square and rubbed the swab onto an agar plate. Here at Majestic Pure™, we are proud to offer an extensive line of essential oils, premium oils and carrier oils that represent the best of nature.We embrace a rigorous quality control standard to help ensure our products meet strict specifications. They are often located under a single essential oil and will provide the date of analysis, comments from the report, the constitutes within the oil and a peak report. If you look at the ingredient list for even a bottle of simple shampoo, there might be dozens of ingredients with names that you could hardly pronounce—whereas with DIY products, there might be five ingredients, all of which you know are safe for your body, your children, your pets, etc. Thieves oil is a blend of clove flower bud oil, lemon rind oil, cinnamon bark oil, eucalyptus radiata leaf oil, and rosemary leaf oil. It shows each compound and the concentration in which it occurs in the sample. Essential Oil Testing Ess en tial oils are very popular these days. Using heavy metal testing to detect essential oil purity. Most of us who love aromatherapy and use essential oils as a part of a healthy lifestyle choice know about the importance of purity of our essential oils. Gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC-MS ): The GC separates the plant biochemical volatile constituents. Clorox Hand Sanitizer does not contain chlorine bleach, by the way. I tested. However, since the Essential Oils do even better than olive oil, I think they are really killing bacteria. I know that there are many other cleaning combinations people are using with essential oils. It just doesn't kill a significant amount of germs if DIRT is present. Then I let the germ-water dry completely. I tested Young Living brand peppermint, lemon, cinnamon bark, and tea tree oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia). In fact, there are even child sized disposable latex-free gloves called, that you can buy so your kids can do most of the work with their science fair project. From this result and the countertop results, I conclude there seems like it is not a good idea to mix essential oils with plain water for cleaning. Here are links to the companies who donated them along with a list of the particular oils in each product so you can compare. Remove the bandage and check for irritation. I tested thieves oil with other oils and cleaners to compare.