Organic Vs. Non-Organic Essential Oils

When it comes to buying essential oils, organic Vs., non-organic is a crucial question. Since essential oils are so concentrated, their effects can also be intense. In such a situation, you don’t want to dose your skin with a concentration of pesticides or other harmful chemicals. Read on to find out if organic really is better than non-organic.

Table of Contents

• Chemical pesticide and insecticide sprays are also used to protect crops. These chemicals pollute the soil the crop grows in and can be absorbed deep into the plant’s leaves, stems, and fruit. All of these contaminants can become part of the essential oils as well. Some crops, such as lavender, are naturally fairly pest-resistant, but that doesn’t mean they are never sprayed.
• Affordable – Conventional oils, even essential oils are easily available in the market these days. You can find them at grocery stores, pharmacies, etc. For non-organic oils, the price is usually low and easily affordable. This is because of the easy growing techniques and large yield.
• Quality – The therapeutic value of essential oils is measured from their quality. The chemical composition of the oil can make a big difference in the quality. Non-organic oils can sometimes feature a different composition that may change its color, scent, etc.
• Production Method – Essential oils are commonly derived from plants through a distillation, commonly steam distillation. Distillation can leave many pesticide residues behind, but it doesn’t guarantee a residue-free oil: in a large European testing database, residues turned up mostly in cold-pressed oils and only occasionally in distilled oils.^[4] However, if you buy Citrus essential oils, then non-organic may not be a good choice for you. Firstly, these plants are not pest repelling, so they are sprayed with pesticides. Secondly, citrus oils are usually cold-pressed, and cold-pressed oils are where residues are found most often.^[4] For distilled oils, residues are less common, though not impossible.

• Safer – Although organic plants are grown without synthetic chemicals, it does not mean that they are pesticide-free. Organically approved pesticide sprays are commonly used as a protective measure for crops. Therefore, organic plants can also sometimes contain some pesticide residue. Processing removes some residues, but organic and non-organic oils alike can still contain small amounts.^[4]
• Expensive – Much like conventional essential oils, organic essential oils are easily available everywhere nowadays. However, they are usually accompanied by a hefty price tag. This is because of the unusual growing techniques and the attention to detail required for organic agriculture. Organic plants are usually grown in small amounts as they require more care than conventional crops. Similarly, the whole process of making them into essential oils needs to be regulated carefully to keep up with the strict guidelines for organic products.
• Although there is no solid proof for it, it is entirely possible. Organically grown fruits, vegetables, and crops contain more vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients than non-organic plants. This is partly due to the crop rotation technique, the organic fertilizer, and the usage of bees and other insects to pollinate the plant. The soil is richer, contaminants are kept at a minimum, and the crops flourish. Therefore, it is plausible that the concentrated oil derived from such plants is richer in nutrients.
• Production Method – As said in the previous section, essential oils are derived through steam distillation. Organic certification limits which pesticides growers can use, but it doesn’t guarantee an oil is residue-free, and “organic” on the label doesn’t by itself prove the oil is pure or undiluted.^[5][3]

Conclusion

In conclusion, when it comes to choosing between organic and non-organic oils, it depends on your personal preference. Similarly, some small businesses may not be able to afford the organic label for their products. The quality of the product, the reputation, and reviews for the manufacturing factory are the biggest factors when it comes to choosing.