This column has been created to assist the consumer in understanding aromatherapy and the wonderful world of essential oils. Questions will be welcome and can be posted on our aromatherapy forum page.

As consumers hop from store to store to find pure essential oils, it must be said that most essential oils found commercially are adulterated or of very inferior quality. It would be an illusion to believe that herbal stores or health food stores sell the best aromatherapy products. The products found in health food stores are usually handled through a large distributing company and the incentive to display products are often to the advantage of the store rather than the consumer.

This is not to say that Health Food stores do not sell pure essential oils. But, essential oils cannot be sold without training and very few health food store owners possess the background necessary to help the client make the best choice in essential oils or even provide a learned answer as to the effectiveness of a particular essential oil.

Only trained aromatherapists have the background and knowledge necessary to sell essential oils while providing information about a particular oil to the consumer. A fully trained aromatherapist would have a “degree” or a “certification” in aromatherapy and would have at least studied with a few different teachers.... and for a few years. Yes, it takes that long to really be knowledgeable and since this is quite a “new” field in this country, information keeps coming our way and we learn every day about new essential oils and also about new treatments, new distillation methods, new regulations, etc.... It takes quite a bit of dedication and passion to keep up with the aromatherapy trade today.

To be an educated consumer while purchasing essential oils a suggestion may be to ask the store owner about his/her background in aromatherapy. Certainly when one goes into a doctor’s office, it is quite reassuring to see the diplomas on the wall rather than none. You will have a better chance to find a good quality essential oils in stores owned by people who have a formal education in aromatherapy. Aromatherapists usually know the jargon of the trade, as this constitutes almost the basics when learning aromatherapy in a formal way. What usually keeps me away and gets my antennas up, is the answer: “I’ve read quite a few books on the subject”... That is simply not enough.!

Some of the questions to ask: Are the oils Pure, Natural & Complete ? This designation means that there has been no adulteration of the oil. No other oils have been blended (pure), no base oils have been added (pure), no synthetic material has been added (natural) and there has been no decolorization or deterpenization (complete). Deterpenating an oil means that there are natural chemical components (terpenes) that have been removed from the oil. Some commercial companies need to have an oil deterpenated –the food industry, for example–since it may change the taste in the overall product, like peppermint in the toothpaste

Country of Origin The essential oils termed “Pure, Natural & Complete” come from countries where the essential oil is usually grown. For example Marjoram comes from Spain (Country of origin). Companies producing these oils try to ensure quality by testing at the source through a chemical analysis. As the market for pure, unadulterated essential oils rises, more high quality oils become available.

Every plant as a special environment. Essential oils originating from one area are preferred to some others. As it is well known that even though Eucalyptus oil is produced in many different countries, it is most desirable coming from Australia, which is the best environment for that plant (climate, weather). Plants from the Labiatae family (lavender, basil, thyme, peppermint) are preferred if they come from the southern region of France. It is however important to mention that because an essential oil comes from the right country origin it does not mean that it is of a superior quality. All the other factors must apply as well (Genuine & Authentic). It gets quite confusing as new producers from different countries are now capable of producing high quality essential oils. It is therefore very important to buy essential oils from reputable and knowledgeable sources.

When buying an essential oil, make sure to buy through companies that sell for aromatherapy uses. Usually these companies are small since they are most likely able to supply high quality essential oils rather than large companies who are more concerned about marketing on a large scale.

Are the oils G&A? G& A is a trade term meaning: “Genuine and Authentic”. Oils that are G&A are pure, natural and complete. Additionally they have been distilled at a reduced pressure to assure authenticity. They should never be redistilled. The production of oils of this quality started in France when the insurance companies began to reimburse patients for aromatherapy treatments.

When an essential oil is termed G&A, it is possibly of the highest quality. The distillation process would have been carried out in a very careful manner, in order to produce the best quality oil. The distillation process itself is done by only a few masters of this trade and passed on to young distillers who will keep the distillation process secret well guarded.

Aromatherapy products and Education are available locally at the American Institute for Aromathe-rapy & Herbal Studies where a variety of correspondence and live courses are offered.

Mynou de Mey, a native of Paris, is the Director of The American Institute for Aromatherapy & Herbal Studies. She is the owner of Les Herbes, ltd which provides clients with essential oils and aromatherapy products both wholesale and retail. She has an International Certification in aromatherapy and is a Certified Aromatherapy Educator. Mynou is also the Regional Director for NAHA (National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy), an association whose goals are to promote proper education and ethics in aromatherapy. She offers study courses both live and by correspondence. For more information, contact Mynou at 516/271-4246

In 1990, Mynou de Mey opened Les Herbes, ltd, a company dedicated to offer aromatherapy products of the highest purity, and quality. Her formulations and skin care products are used by a wide variety of professionals and sold in retail establishments throughout the country.

Her love for plants, aromatherapy, and the world of essential oils has led her to create The American Institute for Aromatherapy & Herbal Studies (AIAHS) of which she is the Director. This Institute offers Certification classes accessible to those who wish to learn about aromatherapy or professionals who wish to add aromatherapy to their careers.

Various Aromatherapy lectures and classes are also available. Classes are available at your establishment

Herbal and Aromatherapy consultations by appointment.

Mynou de Mey obtained her Master's Degree in Herbology in Toronto, Canada and practices herbology through con-sultations, restoring and maintaining clients health through the use of herbs.

In addition to her International Certifi-cation in Aromatherapy, she obtained her Certification as an Aromatherapy Educator from the School of Aromathe-rapy, in Los Angeles, California.

She also completed the International Training Program in Essential Oils: Advanced Studies at Purdue University (Indiana, USA)

Mynou has been elected the Regional Director for the New York District for NAHA (National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy). NAHA was founded in 1990 by aromatherapists and graduates of the London School of Aromatherapy, whose aim is to unify and promote holistic aromatherapy in the United States.

Mynou writes a monthly column on aromatherapy for Long Island Voices, lectures throughout the country and offers Certification Courses in Aromatherapy.

Mynou's Areas of Expertise Include:

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