Unfortunately, not all essential oils are created equal. Many, if not all, of the oils on the market are called “perfume quality” or “4th & 5th quality oils. These are over-processed, chemical-laden, highly adulterated & de-natured products that, in reality, are little more than cheap perfume made from various odorous plants. This includes oils found in health food stores. Many people think that when they buy an oil labeled as “100% pure,” they get good oils. This is far from true.
Pure, unadulterated essential oil is very hard to come by and can be very expensive. One reason for this is that it can take as many as 500 to 2,000 pounds or more of raw plant material to produce just a pound of pure essential oil.
To maintain all of its therapeutic qualities, it must be extracted by steam distillation using extremely low pressure and low heat so as not to defile the oil’s quality.
There are four grades of essential oils:
PURE—This means the oil was not diluted with a lesser-quality essential oil. For example, lavender oil is often cut with lavender, which has very little therapeutic quality. “Pure” does not mean it has no chemicals added to it. It could be 75% vegetable oil and 25% essential oil and still be labeled “100% Pure.”
NATURAL – The oil was not adulterated with vegetable oils, propylene glycol, SD Alcohol 40, or other chemicals.
COMPLETE – This means the oil was distilled at low heat & low pressure so that all the therapeutic properties are there. They have not been rectified or purified (stripped or redistilled.) Essential oils are often redistilled to make a small amount of oil go further. They can make more profit that way. The problem is that when you redistill the oil, you lose its therapeutic properties. It’s like using a tea bag over & over again. For example, France is the number one producer of lavender oil. In 1997, they produced 25 tons of lavender, and 67 tons were shipped to the U.S. Melissa oil is another example. It is challenging to produce. Out of 52 pounds of pure Melissa oil, 1000 pounds were exported.
Anywhere from 200 – 800 chemical constituents take up a single essential oil. When the oil is not distilled properly, you will be left with as few as 10. Some of the most powerful healing constituents are at the end of the process.
GENUINE or GRADE A—These are the cream of the crop. Great care is taken at every step of the process. Seeds are not from hybrids, and soil is organic soil that has never been treated with chemicals. Chemicals are never used on the plants in the field.
Distillation by steam at low pressure & low temperature in upright containers & no chemicals are ever used in the process. It must have clarity of definition (one plant could have 200 species.) The time in the distiller is also important- cypress oil must be distilled for 24 hours. Many companies will distill at higher temperatures for a shorter time. This will destroy the quality of the oil. The distiller must be no more than 50 miles away from the sight where the plants were harvested and must have Gas Chromatograph readings with an embossed seal that does not come from their lab. Then & only then can they have the words “Grade A” on the label.
Young Living’s oils are GRADE A oils. It is one of the few companies in the world that grows plants from seed, distills, and bottles their essential oils. Young Living is the largest grower of essential oil plants in the world.
Banishing oil
To banish unwanted negative energies, ill wishes or baneful habits
3 drops Cypress
2 drops Clove
2 drops Cedarwood
Optional: Roll the candle in one or more of the following:
Rose, Fern, Elder, or Cinquefoil.
All Purpose Oil
These blended oils are very powerful. You can use this oil When you are unsure which oil suits your intent best. However, you need to focus on a specific purpose if you use it in this manner. Use it as a scent on a light ring or for candle anointing. It gives a pleasant feeling to a room. It is good for consecrating ritual tools, candles, altars, and work rooms.
2 1/2 oz clear base
1oz Palma Christi (castor oil)
1dr. Heliotrope
1dr. Lotus
1dr. Honeysuckle
1dr. Vetivert, white musk, or Oak moss