And the question is always posed: Why are they so incredibly expensive? If you’re dealing with a high-quality essential oil, it usually has to do with the quantity of plant material required for production. When you look at the peppermint example, it obviously takes a large quantity of plant material simply to gain one drop of peppermint essential oil. For herbs and plants that grow in abundance and are relatively easily harvested, such as citrus fruits or basic herbs, the cost of the essential oils aren’t as steep. The rinds of citrus fruits are cold-pressed to extract the essential oils, so it is somewhat easier than the pounds upon pounds of rose petals that are needed just to produce a single drop of rose essential oil. Many perfume companies substitute the less expensive geranium oil for rose to achieve their desired scent before diluting it down to stretch the quantity. This is why citrus essential oils cost considerably less than something like rose essential oil. The more important question to be asking yourself is “Should some be expensive?” or “Should they vary in price?” Both answers are a hard yes when you consider the methods required to achieve a high-quality therapeutic essential oil.
All of this information leads us to consider the importance of selecting your essential oils from a trustworthy and reputable company who not only understands the nuances associated with growing, harvesting, and extraction but also one who tests for the highest quality in each of their products. It isn’t enough to simply grow them the right way or to extract them with a quality method. Every step of the way, every detail must be taken into careful consideration to ensure you are getting only the best and most natural high-quality essential oil for your family and yourself. Companies are very quick to add other chemicals to offset the cost of their essential oils or cut corners in the production that will alter the constituents. This results in lesser-quality oils that could actually be harmful.