Re: Pharmaceutical grade EOs

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Henna Page Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by txilar on August 6, 2001 at 16:05:25:

In reply to: Pharmaceutical grade EOs posted by Kenzi on August 5, 2001 at 22:03:51:

Everything you state here is accurate. Companies wanting a certain
scent are concerned more about that scent than whatever
aromatherapeutic qualities an essential oil might have. This is most
evident in the case of Wintergreen. The scent is more important than
the actual compound which is why it has been synthesized and found
all over the place as Wintergreen when it isn't *actual* Wintergreen.
That said, in the case of essential oils with henna use, we aren't
concerned with the aroma qualities, rather the chemical makeup.
Granted, we want quality and natural quality at that, but the concern
of ours should be the chemical makeup. Thus, those companies
pandering to the current aromatherapy rage are more likely to be
using an essential oil that is cut with other chemicals to make it
more appealing. Once oils start getting cut, then we run into dark
waters and don't know what we're getting. I think as long as we are
purchasing pure, properly distilled oil from a reputable source we're
doing good. Of course, I guess that is easier said that done!

"Tea tree Oil quality can usually be identified by its unpleasant
odour. A sweet smelling Tea tree has usually been adulterated with
cineol, the main constituent of Eucalyptus oil, which is also
produced locally. A good quality Tea tree Oil should have a maximum
cineol content of 5.0% and a minimum Terpinen-4-ol content of 35% -
40%. We buy to tighter specifications than the Australian standard
for Tea tree Oil (AS2782-1985) which requires a maximum cineol
content of 15% and a minimum terpinen-4-ol of 30%. "
from http://www.aqua-oleum.co.uk/essentials/long/teatree.htm

"There are various grades of tea tree oil, among them pharmaceutical
grade (for human and animal use), usually containing at least 35%
terpinen-4-ol and less than 5% cineole; standard grade, which
contains between 30-35% terpinen-4-ol and as much as 8% cineole; and
industrial grade for commercial use. Both standard and industrial
grades are used for disinfectants, mold and fungus killers, floor
detergents, and in air conditioning and venting systems."
from http://www.kalipress.com/shop/GD3R_intro.html

: It was my understanding, tho I am not an aromatherapist or chemist
or
: whatever, that pharmaceutical grade is lower quality than say,
: aromatherapy grade. The pharmaceutical grade is what is used in
Ben
: Gay or "herbal" shampoos. That quality may not necessarily be the
: same quality that is required for the EO to benefit henna artists.
: By this, I mean that a company that is making say EO scented
candles
: or "herbal" shampoo may require that the EOs they use smell pretty
: good but aren't concerned with the terpine ratio or the quality of
: the terps. Does that make sense?
:
: Can anyone out there (Niko?) either set me straight or explain my
: point better?
:
: I would think this would be an important distinction for us henna
: artists to be aware of.

Follow Ups

Post Followup

Name:
E-Mail:
Subject:
: Everything you state here is accurate. Companies wanting a certain : scent are concerned more about that scent than whatever : aromatherapeutic qualities an essential oil might have. This is most : evident in the case of Wintergreen. The scent is more important than : the actual compound which is why it has been synthesized and found : all over the place as Wintergreen when it isn't actual Wintergreen. : That said, in the case of essential oils with henna use, we aren't : concerned with the aroma qualities, rather the chemical makeup. : Granted, we want quality and natural quality at that, but the concern : of ours should be the chemical makeup. Thus, those companies : pandering to the current aromatherapy rage are more likely to be : using an essential oil that is cut with other chemicals to make it : more appealing. Once oils start getting cut, then we run into dark : waters and don't know what we're getting. I think as long as we are : purchasing pure, properly distilled oil from a reputable source we're : doing good. Of course, I guess that is easier said that done! : : "Tea tree Oil quality can usually be identified by its unpleasant : odour. A sweet smelling Tea tree has usually been adulterated with : cineol, the main constituent of Eucalyptus oil, which is also : produced locally. A good quality Tea tree Oil should have a maximum : cineol content of 5.0% and a minimum Terpinen-4-ol content of 35% - : 40%. We buy to tighter specifications than the Australian standard : for Tea tree Oil (AS2782-1985) which requires a maximum cineol : content of 15% and a minimum terpinen-4-ol of 30%. " : from http://www.aqua-oleum.co.uk/essentials/long/teatree.htm : : "There are various grades of tea tree oil, among them pharmaceutical : grade (for human and animal use), usually containing at least 35% : terpinen-4-ol and less than 5% cineole; standard grade, which : contains between 30-35% terpinen-4-ol and as much as 8% cineole; and : industrial grade for commercial use. Both standard and industrial : grades are used for disinfectants, mold and fungus killers, floor : detergents, and in air conditioning and venting systems." : from http://www.kalipress.com/shop/GD3R_intro.html : : : It was my understanding, tho I am not an aromatherapist or chemist : or : : whatever, that pharmaceutical grade is lower quality than say, : : aromatherapy grade. The pharmaceutical grade is what is used in : Ben : : Gay or "herbal" shampoos. That quality may not necessarily be the : : same quality that is required for the EO to benefit henna artists. : : By this, I mean that a company that is making say EO scented : candles : : or "herbal" shampoo may require that the EOs they use smell pretty : : good but aren't concerned with the terpine ratio or the quality of : : the terps. Does that make sense? : : : : Can anyone out there (Niko?) either set me straight or explain my : : point better? : : : : I would think this would be an important distinction for us henna : : artists to be aware of.
Optional link URL:
Link title:
Optional image URL: