Why doTERRA?

Why doTERRA?

You are choosing essential oils gently and carefully distilled from plants that have been harvested at the perfect moment by experienced growers from around the world for ideal extract composition and efficacy.

Each oil is carefully and thoroughly tested using strict CPTG (Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade ®) quality protocol. Experienced essential oil users will immediately recognize the superior quality standard for naturally safe, purely effective therapeutic-grade doTERRA essential oils.

While there is a science to the distillation of essential oils, it is also an art. Distillers not only rely on years of experience, they also employ modern technology and techniques.

The most common method of extracting essential oils is a low-heat steam distillation process. In this process, pressurized steam is circulated through the plant material. The essential oils are liberated from the plant and carried away by the steam. When the steam cools, the water and oils naturally separate and the oil is collected. To ensure the highest quality oil extract with the correct chemical composition, the temperature and pressure must be closely monitored. Too little heat or pressure and the oil will not release; too much, and the oil’s composition and potency will be affected.

Steam Distillation

Steam distillation is the most common way to extract aromatic compounds (essential oil) from a plant. During the steam distillation process, steam passes through the plant material. The combination of heated steam and gentle pressure causes the essential oil to be released from microscopic protective sacs. As the vapor mixture flows through a condenser and cools, it yields a layer of oil and a layer of water. The essential oil rises to the top and is separated from the hydrosol (floral water) and collected.

Some have asked about the difference between first distillations in comparison to complete distillations. The temperature for steam distilling is usually between 140-212 degrees Fahrenheit. Since different plants require different pressures, times, and temperatures, using this particular method makes it possible to adjust the temperature based on the plant type, making it a very effective and precise way to obtain the purest compounds.

Expression

Unlike steam distillation, expression, sometimes referred to as “cold pressed,” does not involve heat. In this process, oil is extracted from the product under mechanical pressure. DoTERRA uses expression to extract all of its citrus oils, such as Wild Orange, Lemon, Lime, Bergamot, and Grapefruit, from the rind.

Proper distillation requires a consideration for the uniqueness of pressure, temperature, time, and harvesting practices, each of which may be as diverse as the plants themselves. A poor distillation process can alter or destroy the necessary aromatic compounds that comprise the essential oil, leaving a substance far different from the intended goal and something that would not be used to support health and wellness. For this reason, the best distillation artisans dedicate their efforts and work to only a few select plants. This focused effort develops proper knowledge and experience, helping ensure congruency between the oil chemistry of the plant and its distilled form.

All information above is found from https://www.doterra.com/US/en/why-doterra

My Choice

I have chosen to use and promote doTERRA over other brands of essential oils for a couple of reasons, some of which are listed above. I find that doTERRA provides ethically sourced oils from the native region of the plant. They also do third-party testing of their oils to make sure that we are getting the highest and most pure oil. Not all essential oil companies source their oils from the native region of the plant or use local farmers to provide plant material.

A second reason that I have chosen to use doTERRA is that they provide a lot of education about the oils and how to use the oils. It is wonderful if you are able to find oils that you enjoy and will use but there are many oils that I personally own and initially did not know how to use. Through the doTERRA website, you are able to find information about each oil, how to use the oils, and even recipes to make. Each month they have a series called Empowered Life which has a differnt theme related to the products that doTERRA has that highlights different uses and how different people use those products and oils.