Sourcing Essential Oils

Essential oil sourcing can have a dramatic impact on the properties of any essential oil. Given the same species of plant, essential oil composition can vary widely based on geographic location, season, and growing practices. Many may think that these variations are minute, but a recent study by researchers from the University of Alabama tested four samples of Thyme essential oil and found each sample to be a completely different chemotype, meaning that each sample had a completely different chemical composition.

Among the chemotypes found were the thymol, linalool, and geraniol predominant chemotypes. Only the thymol chemotype is associated with the health benefits classically attributed to Thyme essential oil. Linalool and geraniol are the predominant chemotypes of Lavender and Geranium essential oils respectively. These findings show that variations in sourcing alone can lead to a completely different panel of health benefits and underscores the importance of sourcing and analytical testing to ensure that each bottle of essential oil has the proper chemotype necessary for the desired wellness benefits.