So.
You've found some oils that you really love but you're wondering if they love you back. It's a fair concern and here at The Dogwood Trading Cooperative, we recommend three different ways make sure your oils measure up.
The first, and probably the surest way, is through laboratory analysis, specifically using GCMS (Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry). This form of testing vaporizes a test material, separates the individual parts of that vapor and then analyzes and identifies each part, revealing what the test sample is composed of. A more thorough explanation of what occurs with GCMS testing can be found here.
GCMS testing can be a bit spendy for home use but not to fear, all the oils we sell here at The Co-Op are tested via GCMS and the results published on the product page for each oil. The only oils we don't publish GCMS data for are our blends, mainly due to the potential for information overload however, any of our blends are made with our oils and you can always find latest test data for an individual oil on our site. And yes, any oils that don't pass our purity standards are not bottled.
The next testing method we recommend is spot testing. Quick and dirty, this simple test can be performed at home, with any oils you have on hand, with a few cautions. Here they are:
Be Clear - the clearer the oil you are testing, the better this test works. One of the things we look for in a spot or blotter test is discoloration left behind by an oil. A problem with this though is the more naturally tinted an oil is, the more it will leave a tint behind in your test. What should not happen though is a very clear oil (tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus) should never result in a tinted blot.
Time Will Tell - Some oils are heavier than others and some can take up to a couple of days to fully dry. Cinnamon, cedar and ylang ylang are good examples of heavier oils. Because of this characteristic, some oils can take a couple of days to fully dry on a blot test.
Dry, Not Wet - So you have run your spot/blot test and let it stand for 48 hours, just what exactly are you looking for? Two things, does it look wet and does it still have a scent. If the answer to either of those questions is yes, then you've most likely got an imposter on your hands. After drying, essential oils should not leave the test site looking wet and since the scent compounds are volatile, the aroma should be gone.
Remember: Expedient - Make sure you remember that a spot/blot test is for expedient testing and should be treated as such. It is good for getting a basic idea of your oil's purity, but you should always look for GCMS when available.
So, how do you perform a blot test? Easy peasy! On a sheet of clean, white, printer paper, draw a circle approximately 2.5 to 3 inches in diameter. The circle doesn't need to be perfect, but you also don't want an amoeba and definitely no figure eights!
Now, in the middle of your circle, place a one or two drops of oil. Set the test sheet aside for at least 24 hours before reviewing (and remember that heavier oils will need more time to finish the drying process).
Once dried, look for these things:
Halos - Look inside the circle for rings of discoloration. As the oil wicks out through the paper, heavier adulterants tend to get caught in the fibers and form a ring. If the halo is on or outside the ring, your ring is to small and it doesn't count. Test again.
Aromas - As mentioned earlier, after your EO has fully dried on your test page, there should be no remaining scent. If there is, this is an indicator of additives and/or adulterants.
Dry - So you've left your blotter out for a week, and it still looks wet. Probably best to call it. There is a really good chance your EO has been cut with a carrier oil. Though not necessarily a bad thing, it does mean that your EO is not just EO.
Oily - Same thing here. After fully drying, your spot test feels oily. This is another sign of possible cutting/additives.
A couple of oils that we suggest starting with to get a feel for doing spot/blot tests are:
Quicker testing: Lavender
Longer testing: Cedarwood
To Observed Natural Tint and Residue: Lemongrass or Orange
The Final Test (And A Fan Favorite) - The Sniff Test. Now to the nuts and bolts. Your oil has passed all other testing but..........you aren't really fond of its scent. Don't use it! An EO is about creating and bettering your environment. If your best friend loves it and you don't, then let them love it. Unless there is a specific, unique reason you have to have just that oil, use an alternative. It's about your preferences, not someone else's.
Thanks for spending some time with us today. Hope you find this helpful. If you have questions, we'd love to hear from you.
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