What are essential oils?

Essential oils are the subtle, volatile liquids and aromatic compounds that are distilled or pressed from plants. Essential oils are present in the oil glands, hairs, ducts, bark, stems, leaves, and flowers of many plants. They are called "essential" because they are the immune system of the plant and without them the plant would die.

What is Essential Oil Therapy and Aromatherapy?

Essential Oil Therapy is the use of therapeutic quality essential oils to treat clients psychological or physical ailments both internally and externally. Aromatherapy focuses more on the inhaled used of essential oils to treat a client. In recent years the term Aromatherapy has grown to include external use of essential oils applied to the skin.

What is the difference between essential oils and fragrance oils?

Essential oils are derived from the true aromatic essence of plants, while perfume or fragrance oils are artificially created or contain synthetic materials. Perfume or fragrance oils do not offer any of the therapeutic benefits that true essential oils do. Only essential oils can generate a therapeutic benefit because they contain all the chemical constituents necessary for the cell receptor sites to recognize the oil and to utilize it. Fragrance, perfume, or synthetic oils are missing some of these key chemical constituents, therefore, causing the cell receptors to repel the isolated compound and initiate an immune system response such as an allergic reaction. True essential oils are hypoallergenic. If a company offers essential oils (single notes, not blends) such as peach, new mown hay, morning dew, etc. then they are most likely offering fragrance or synthetic oils and should be avoided. Also avoid companies selling precious oils like Rose for less than $50/ounce, as it is most likely synthetic.

How are essential oils extracted from plants?

There are four main methods for extraction: steam distillation, solvent extraction (absolute), cold pressing (sometimes called expeller pressing), and CO2 extraction.
The most common method is steam distillation. In steam distillation the plant material is placed in a large chamber and subjected to steam from heated water. The steam travels through the plant material gathering the essential oils. The steam then continues out of the top of the chamber into a condenser, which cools the steam. The cooled steam reforms back into water and the essential oil. The essential oil is lighter than water so it floats on the water surface. Once the essential oil is removed from the water surface the remaining condensed water is then sometimes sold as a by-product called a Hydrosol. Depending on the type of plant material, the pressure, temperature and time to do this process will vary.
The second method used for more delicate plants and flowers is solvent extraction. In this method the plant material is soaked in a solvent (usually Hexane) to break down the material into a "concrete" which is a solid mixture of wax and oil. The concrete is then soaked in ethyl alcohol to release the essential oil from the concrete mixture. The alcohol is dissolved finally leaving the essential oil. Rose, Jasmine, and Vanilla are the only 3 absolutes we carry at Elizabeth Van Buren.
The 3rd method is cold pressing. This method is typically used for citrus essential oils and vegetable/nut based carrier oils. The material is simply placed between two hard surfaces and pressed until the oil is released.
The final method is CO2 or carbon dioxide extraction. This method uses the CO2 to carry the essential oils out of the plant instead of steam.

Why are some essential oils more expensive than others?

Essential oils are sold like other commodities in which the price fluctuates based on availability, location, plant species, yield, weather conditions, harvesting conditions, and the labor used to grow, harvest, and extract the oils. Variations in weather conditions can drastically affect prices. For example, the 2004 tsunami that hit India's coast affected the Sandalwood tree forest causing the price for Indian Sandalwood to skyrocket. Fires, rains, flooding, drought and frost are just some of the natural conditions that affect the plant materials. Pests can also have an effect. Some essential oils are also more labor intensive to process. For example, Rose petals must be picked in the morning before dawn while the dew is still on the leaves in order to get the most essential oil extracted. It takes 10000 pounds of Rose petals to yield one pound of essential oil compared to Lavender that only requires 150 pounds to yield one pound of oil.

How do I use essential oils?

We have an excellent article on our website called Using Essential Oils that can help give you some tips for essential oil use. Also in the descriptions of the essential oils there is a section called "Application Method" that gives further use for that particular oil.

What is carrier oil?

Carrier or fixed oils are vegetable based oils mostly pressed from seeds or nuts. These oils are used to dilute essential oils in order to reduce chance of irritation or skin sensitization. They also extend the essential oils so that they can facilitate coverage of larger surface areas during massage.

What makes a good quality essential oil?

We are continually researching the world's best growers and distillers of essential oils. Plant cultivation, growing (environmental) conditions, and botanical variety are all important factors to the quality of the essential oil. Essential oils come from all around the world. No one location can grow all types of essential oils because each oil requires specific conditions to best flourish. Just as it is important to farm and harvest plants cultivated in the best terrain, it is also important to use the most advanced distillation methods. Quality oils are the result. To promise you that the oils are unadulterated in any way, Elizabeth Van Buren tests every oil. Every sample and batch is analyzed in our laboratory with the most sophisticated scientific method using our GC/MS (Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer). Only with thorough GC/MS analysis can we guarantee you unaltered, highest quality, correct chemotype, 100% pure essential oils. Because of our rigorous testing we have set the "standard" for purity in the industry and have "raised the bar" for other companies to follow suit. We have tested many sources of oils including some of our competitors and have found more than 80% are adulterated. This is why we test every batch and every sample because we have seen some companies "bait and switch" oils. We also have seen many companies who say they test but they will not prove it. We provide a Gas Chromatogram on our site for each oil free of charge so you can see the peaks for the oil. But a Gas chromatogram is not enough you need the Mass Spectrometer to identify each peak to find out what the chemical constituent is and the level it is present in the sample tested. If only GC testing is being done then you are only seeing two-dimensional analyses where the Mass Spectrometer provides a three-dimensional view. Why is this important? If you are using adulterated, synthetic, contaminated, misidentified, or poor quality oils you will never see any therapeutic benefit and in many cases may even do more harm than good. Beyond chemical testing we also perform organolyptic testing. Since essential oils are natural products and as such can vary in scent from crop to crop, and season to season we strive to minimize this variation as much as possible. We do not add compounds or synthetics to standardize the variations caused by nature and will not sacrifice quality for scent. Larry Jones our chemist has written two great articles talking about quality and purity. The Beyond Organic and Essential Oil Purity articles are both very enlightening. Elizabeth Van Buren is the first essential oil company in the US to include a traceable lot code on all our single note essential oils that tracks back to the test results of the batch of oil. If you do not see a lot number on other companies bottles it means they have no way to trace it back to the test results and most likely are not testing regardless of their claims.

Are organic essential oils the best quality?

Not necessarily true. According to the USDA National Organic Program (NOP), the term organic is all about the how a product or food is grown and processed. Organic does not mean that a product is free of something, nor is it a judgment about the quality, safety, or nutrient value of a product. Organic also refers to products that are produced without using conventional pesticides, irradiation, or fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or bioengineering. What we have found after testing many organic essential oils is that they are typically of inferior quality. Elizabeth Van Buren goes Beyond Organic standards by testing all our oils to ensure the chemical profile meets are therapeutic quality standards. Our chemist Larry Jones has written a wonderful article on our site called Beyond Organic , which goes into detail on this question and is highly recommended. We believe in the ideals of organic farming and whenever possible include organic sources for our oils but will never sacrifice the quality to just be labeled organic.

What is the difference between Therapeutic Quality and Food Grade Oils?

We sell therapeutic quality essential oils (also known as pharmaceutical grade). That means the plants are grown in an environment whereby the species of the plant produced is very concentrated in the peak chemical constituents that would be considered better for use externally. Food grade essential oils are weak in their chemical constituents and are not toxic to the liver. They also are NOT very valuable as far as healing properties and are most likely used to flavor foods, beverages and some perfumes. In France, doctors prescribe therapeutic quality essential oils to be used internally only because they have been medically trained to so and understand the risks and benefits. Internal use of therapeutic quality essential oils can be toxic to the liver. The liver lacks the appropriate enzyme to breakdown the complex chemical constituents when administered in the wrong dosages. We have heard of a man that went to the doctor and was diagnosed with cirrhosis. The doctor told him to stop drinking. The man said, "I don't drink." It turns out the man was ingesting therapeutic quality essential oils without the supervision of his doctor. Don't be fooled even some food grade essential oils can be toxic in small dosages.

Can I use your essential oils internally?

All Elizabeth Van Buren essential oils are pure and can be taken internally but we do not recommend this unless prescribed under the supervision of a medical doctor who is qualified in clinical essential oil therapy/aromatherapy. Even though many essential oils are listed by the FDA as Generally Recommended as Safe (GRAS) it is very important to understand the consequences of the internal use. Some essential oils in undiluted form can be toxic even in small dosages. We do sell our products to many hospitals and physicians who use them to treat their patients both externally and internally. Our sales staff is highly trained and knowledgeable about essential oil therapy and can recommend safer methods for the use of essential oils than internal consumption.

Are there any safety concerns with using essential oils?

Essential oils are concentrated plant energies and may have serious effects even at low dosages. Some essential oils can affect pregnancy, blood pressure, and/or the skin. These warnings are listed in our essential oil product descriptions under the heading "Warnings" for each of our oils. All essential oils should be diluted but Lavender, Roman Chamomile, and Tea Tree can be used undiluted. As mentioned in the internal use question above, essential oils should not be taken internally unless prescribed under the supervision of a medical doctor who is qualified in clinical essential oil therapy/aromatherapy. When treating children and the elderly it is recommended to use only half the dosage normally required. We also have on the Elizabeth Van Buren site a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on each of our oils, which gives pertinent information about the oil, and safety concerns which can be printed for your records. The link to the MSDS is just below the product picture in the right hand column of all Elizabeth Van Buren oil product descriptions.

How should I store my products?

Essential oils are volatile so they should be stored at proper conditions to avoid evaporation and degradation. Essential oils are best stored sealed in a cool, dark environment. Sunlight, as with heat, will cause essential oils to evaporate and degrade. Sunlight and heat also effects carrier or fixed oils causing them to go rancid. The optimum temperature range for storage is between 40-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Undiluted essential oils should be stored in amber glass bottles because the amber tint protects the oils from sunlight and the glass is inert and will not react with the oils. Blue glass and green glass bottles offer the next best protection with clear glass offering the least protection. Diluted essential oils can be stored in plastic containers, if the essential oils in the dilution is between 0-3%. Beyond 3% and essential oils or blends will slowly dissolve the plastic contaminating your mixture. If properly stored essential oils have a shelf life of one year at the minimum while carrier oils have a shelf life of 6-18 months (except for Jojoba which is much more stable and lasts longer). Always keep your oils sealed while not in use to prevent oxidation. Pure undiluted essential oils do not go rancid but they may lose their aroma (especially top note oils like the citrus). This loss of scent does not mean it is any less therapeutic when applied to the skin but will not be very useful as an aromatic. The best advice is when in doubt, throw it out.

How do I get your oil out of the 4 ml and 8 ml vials?

Our 4 ml and 8 ml vials come with a plastic reducer in the neck of the bottle to impede the flow of the oil. Our reducer is designed for a single drop use to give you better control when applying or making your own blends. Remove the cap, turn the bottle upside down and tap the bottom of the vial once with your index finger to get one single drop. Multiple taps will give multiple drops.

What is a note?

A note is term used in the fragrance industry to explain the lasting effect of the material. There are three notes: Top, Middle and Base. Top notes are the first ones the nose recognizes and are usually the fastest to fade. Base notes are the last to be recognized by your nose but they linger for long a period of time. Middle notes, as the name implies have characteristics in between a top and base note. Most all blends contain at least one oil of each note in the blend. When blending you may want to try 3 parts top note, 2 parts middle note, and 1 part of a base note to make a well-rounded blend. Blending is a highly developed skill and takes time before you can become a master blender.

Do your products contain parabens?

Many products in the market place today are formulated with petroleum-derived synthetics, which may cause allergies and adverse reactions. We use plant-derived emulsifiers and preservatives. None of our products contain parabens or synthetic chemicals. Elizabeth Van Buren puts 100% pure and natural in the bottle, not just on the label.

Do you do animal testing of your products?

We do not test on animals. Elizabeth Van Buren is Leaping Bunny recognized cruelty free by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC).

Are your products vegan?

Yes, our products only contain plant-based materials and do not contain any animal by products.

Are your products Green?

We at Elizabeth Van Buren strive to use recyclable/reusable materials in all our packing materials and products. Our glass and plastic bottles are both recyclable as well as the cardboard we use for our boxes. The packing material we use is also biodegradable starch puff.

Why does your single note essential oils have different colored labels?

The single note essential oils are color coded by family of oils. For example all the blue color labeled oils are comforting, the red are all stimulating, etc. The color code definitions are listed in each of the essential oil descriptions on the line called "Color Energy". This makes it easier to locate oils by action. For example: Lavender, Bergamot, and Frankincense are all labeled in purple and are relaxing oils.

How can I contact you?

We strive to assist our customers in a timely fashion with your questions, comments and complaints. We also love to listen to feedback from our customers on testimonials, product development and suggestions. You can click here to view our Testimonials page or here to sign up for our Newsletter. You can also reach us by phone, email, and fax. Our Contact page has all our information and a form you can complete to reach us directly from the web.

What forms of payment do you take?

We accept VISA, Mastercard, Discover, American Express

Do you sell wholesale?

Yes, we sell both wholesale and bulk. Wholesale pricing is only available to practitioners using our products on clients or patients, and those businesses who want to retail our product to their customers.
Please contact our sales desk or register online.

How do I get pricing on your products?

You can either visit the link to the store to view our retail pricing, register online for wholesale pricing access, or call and/or fax us to request wholesale and/or bulk pricing.

Return Policy:

Goods can be returned up to 20 days from date of receipt without a restocking fee. From 20-60 days will require a 20% restocking fee. Returns must be in usable condition. We cannot except returns or give credits on orders after 60 days from date of receipt. Please send an email to sales@elizabethvanburen.com or call us at 1-800-710-7759 to request your RMA number. All returns must have an RMA number supplied by our staff. Once our staff receives your return, you will receive a credit memo either removing the charge from your credit card or stating an IN STORE credit balance.

Lost or Damaged Items Policy:

All orders are triple checked to insure they are complete and undamaged before shipment. If for some reason items are lost or damaged during shipment, we must be notified within 10 days of receipt of the order and we will replace them free of charge. Note: Some of the items we ship are very small and fall to the bottom of the box or get lost within the packing material. Please check thoroughly before calling us at
1-800-710-7759.

Shipping:

Orders for currently in stock items will ship within 1-3 days. Backordered items will ship within 7 days in most cases. We ship by UPS FOB from Santa Cruz, CA. You therefore will need to give us a physical shipping address to send the package to; PO Boxes are not deliverable by UPS. Shipping costs are calculated by shipping weight according to the shipping method you choose and are set by UPS. We do not add any handling fee to our shipments. You will receive your order within 6 business days from the time of shipment. If you are in Hawaii or outside the United States we can ship your order by United States Postal Service (USPS). Choose “Other” shipping method when you are finishing your order with the shopping cart checkout system and we will calculate the shipping cost and notify you. All orders will have a shipping charge including backordered items since we ship by actual weight.

How do we protect the security of your information?

We protect our databases with various physical, technical and procedural measures and we restrict access to your information by unauthorized persons. Our information systems are maintained behind both a software and hardware firewall to isolate them from access by other networks connected to the Internet. We also advise all employees about their responsibility to protect customer data and we provide them with appropriate guidelines for adhering to our company's business ethics standards and confidentiality policies. All information transmitted is over secure servers only stored on in-house systems and not on the Internet. We will never share your information with any other company for any reason.