I love coupons. I’m no extreme couponer but I do like using them and getting things on sale. And before I started really paying attention to what I was eating and cleaning my home with, I used lots of coupons in the supermarket. Not to get too side tracked here (three sentences in and I’m already sidetracked…) but since I’ve gone on a more “clean” diet and gone “green” with my personal and home care, I’ve actually saved money even though I can’t use coupons.
anyways…
I was food shopping in the commissary a few days ago and came across a bottle of “100% Pure Peppermint” essential oil. This always gets my goat. (I don’t actually have a goat but I do want one.) You see, the FDA doesn’t have regulations defining “natural” or “organic”, or “pure” for essential oils. And while I am not a proponent of big government having a hand in everything in my life, this little tidbit most people don’t understand, or don’t care about. All they see is that this 15ml bottle of peppermint oil is $5.99 and Young Livings retails for $28.29. It’s not the same quality. I promise you.
Let’s compare labels.
Natures Truth: Ingredient: 100% Pure Peppermint Oil (Mentha piperita, spp.).
Young Living: Ingredient: Peppermint (Mentha piperita)† leaf oil †100% pure, therapeutic grade essential oil
Natures Truth: Directions: Enjoy the benefits of pure essential oil blends for massage or in your bath. For massage, dilute at a recommended rate of 5 drops of essential oil blend to 10mL of Nature’s Truth Unscented Base Oil. WARNING: For external use only. Do not use directly on skin, dilute in a carrier oil. Do not apply to broken or irritated skin. If skin sensitivity occurs, discontinue use. If you are pregnant, nursing or taking any medications, consult your doctor before use. Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur. Keep out of the reach of children. Keep oils away from eyes.
Young Living: Topical: Dilute 1 drop with 4 drops of V-6™ or olive oil. Test on small area of skin on the underside of arm and apply to desired area as needed. Aromatic: Diffuse up to 10 minutes 3 times daily. Caution: Keep out of reach of children. For external use only. Keep away from eyes and mucous membranes. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult a health professional prior to use. Not intended for use on infants.
Ingestion: (Peppermint Vitality) Put 2 drops in a capsule. Take 3 times daily.
Let’s break this down some because I see a few red flags.
One: Dilution ratio’s. One has 1 to 4 dilution ratio and the other has about a 1 to 30-40 dilution ratio. That’s a big difference.
Two: The use of the words WARNING and Caution (use of caps taken from labels). OSHA describes the use of these words as: WARNING means if the warning is not heeded, it can cause death or serious injury. CAUTION means if the precaution is not taken, it may cause minor or moderate injury. Ummm…..this is just downright scary to me.
Three: One company has an ingestible version of the same exact essential oil and the other does not. Ok, this isn’t a deal breaker since there are in fact some essential oils that are not suitable for ingestion but you’ve got to take note that we’re talking about peppermint oil here. We all know that peppermint is in fact an ingredient in lots of foods, candies, and gums. So it is generally regarded as safe to ingest (GRAS). So why would there be a WARNING on 100% pure peppermint oil? You mean if I accidentally drink any of this it could cause death or serious injury?? What the what?!
Four: price. Sometimes, you get what you pay for.
So the next time you see an essential oil on the shelf of a supermarket or home decorating store, perhaps you’ll think twice before buying it. But more importantly I’d like you to know that that $3 bottle of lavender oil cannot compare to a bottle of Young Living’s lavender oil.
Sometimes forgoing the bargain is the smartest move. Invest in yourself and go with the real deal. Go with Young Living.
For more information about how Young Living takes care to only use 100% plant material check out their meticulous Seed to Seal process.
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