The Perfect Essential Oil
Essential oils give outstanding results in every field of application. But their properties depend on their quality and quality is the result of several crucial factors:
A. The guarantee that the plant is known to botanists
It is the indication of the precise latin name of the plant that identifies the exact variety within the botanical species, for example Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus radiata, etc.
B. The part of the plant from which the essential oil is taken
The fruit, the leaves and the flowers of the orange tree all yield different essential oils that are used for completely different purposes.
C. The "chemotype" or biochemical type of the plant
The indication "thymol thyme" or "linalol thyme" refers to the principal or distinctive biochemical component present in the essential oil. The chemotype of an essential oil is a precise reference that indicates the main distinctive biochemical component present in the essential oil. It is the chemotype that is used to distinguish essential oils extracted from the same botanical variety but with a different biochemical composition. The chemotype is established using chromatographic and spectrometric techniques that recognize and identify the molecules. This essential classification enables the correct essential oils to be chosen for accurate, safe and effective use.
For example, cineole chemotype rosemary is used for respiratory infections; camphor chemotype rosemary is used for the muscular system and painful joints; verbenone chemotype rosemary acts to stimulate the liver and gall-bladder.
We also know two major types of plant known by the botanical name "thyme"; these two groups are again subdivided according to their respective chemotypes.
D. Conditions of growth
Organic cultivation, wild plants, conventional cultivation or manual harvesting may all be factors that affect quality and determine your choice of product.
E. Authority certifying organic origin
In Europe, certifying authorities must meet the standard EN45011. This standard guarantees the authority's independence and the honesty of the products. The name of the certifying authority must be visible on certified organic products.
If a product is not certified it is not organic.
Ecocert certification
Ecocert certification is the largest inspection authority and is responsible for 80% of the organic certificates issued. All the inspection authorities, Ecocert, Quality France, Ulase, Agrocert, Aclave and certpaq, are private bodies approved by the State authorities and have no links with any commercial or union structure. Their role is both to ensure that products and imports comply with standards and to make sure that the various operators working in the field are aware of the regulations in force.
Every Florame essential oil has an individual batch number. Using this number, which is printed on every Florame bottle, you can trace the origin of the essential oil it contains.
The AB logo
The AB logo stamp on a product or inspected certified essential oil guarantees that it is incontestably organic. However, under French law, the term "issu de culture biologique" ("produced from organically grown crops") may only be used for raw materials or processed products intended for human ingestion.
If it cannot be claimed that an "organic" product is intended for use as food, it cannot use the AB logo label . Therefore blends of organic essential oils designed to perfume the air or for massage may simply give a list of the organic ingredients they contain and the name of the certifying authority, but cannot use the AB logo. Some authorities such as Nature & Progrès get over this loophole in the law by staking their own reputations and applying their own logo.
The Nature & Progrès Label
This label is official recognition that a product is outstanding in that it combines ethical production with intrinsic qualities. The label certifies that the company manufacturing the product complies with standards of fair trade and refuses animal testing. It is a guarantee of the company's ethical approach.