Frequently Asked Questions About Essential Oils
Q: Can dōTERRA’s essential oils replace any over-the-counter medication I’m taking?
A: Absolutely – and typically with faster results! CLICK HERE to see our Oils-OTC Replacement chart and start replacing all of the expensive and chemical-filled items in your medicine cabinet with pure essential oil.
Q: dōTERRA’s essential oils carry the mark CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade®. What does that mean?
A: Although there are good essential oils available to consumers, many products claiming to be essential oils often are not pure aromatic extracts and often contain fillers and non-aromatic compounds. Furthermore, there are no current regulatory standards for the descriptive use of the “therapeutic grade” for products labeled as essential oils. The CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® mark represents dōTERRA’s own internal standards for sourcing and testing pure aromatic botanical extracts using independent laboratory analysis. The dōTERRA brand and registered CPTG® mark represent dōTERRA’s guarantee of pure essential oil extracts that meet high standards for both purity and material composition and for accurate product labeling.
Most essential oils found in health food stores are not Therapeutic Grade. There are four grades of essential oils. Grade A essential oils are pure therapeutic quality (highest grade) and are usually made from naturally (often organically) grown plants distilled at the proper temperatures using steam distillation. This is the category that all of DōTerra's essential oils and essential oil-enhanced products are in. Gas Chronometer and Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) testing standards will be used to "Certify" the highest quality standards in the industry, meeting or exceeding ISO and AFNOR standards.
Q: Why do dōTERRA essential oils smell more potent than other essential oils on the market?
A: Aroma is an excellent indication of true purity. A pure essential oil will elicit powerful emotional responses and will not be overbearing in any one note. Many people have described dōTERRA’s CPTG essential oils as "sweet" or "extremely pleasing fragrances". This is because when plants are grown in a region in which it is indigenous, with proper nutritive soil conditions, air quality, weather/moisture, are harvested at the right time and carefully distilled, the essential oil extract will be pure and of the highest quality, thus having a fragrance that exceeds that of oils that have been diluted or synthetically produced. Unfortunately, there are many essential oils on the market that claim to be "therapeutic grade", "pure", or "natural" that do not follow strict standards for purity and potency. The best way for a consumer to know the quality and value of any product is to experience it for themselves.
Q: Are dōTERRA’s essential oils organic?
A: dōTERRA’s CPTG® essential oils exceed industry standards. Because organic certification varies from country to country, province to province, and in the U.S., from state to state, it is not currently possible to acquire all oils under certified organic status. However, through the GC/MS analysis process, we are able to determine if any chemical residue exists in the essential oil, e.g., pesticides, herbicides, extenders, and solvents. With this rigorous analysis process, dōTERRA guarantees that all of their Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® essential oils are absolutely pure as nature intended and a step above organic.
Q: How often can I apply the oils?
A: There is really no set rule for how often to apply the oils. You have to make a mental shift from how we view using western medicine. For many of the things you will use the oils for, a couple of times a day is probably adequate to see results. However, other problems may require more frequent application
Q: How do I know where to apply the oils?
A: The sole of the foot is a good place to start. Applying oils to the feet helps absorb into the system better than almost anywhere else. However, often it is better to apply to the area that is affected. For example, if you have digestion problems, apply the oils to the stomach, for a headache, apply the oils on the temple and hairline, for minor scrapes and cuts apply the right oil directly to the injured area. Keep oils away from eyes and ear canals.
Q: What combinations of oils are good to diffuse together, how do I know which oils to diffuse together?
A: The more you use the oils, the more comfortable you will be with which oils make good combinations. There isn’t really a bad choice. Start with combining a peppermint with a lemon or another citrus oil. One of our favorite oils to diffuse is Serenity, which has a soft, fresh, powdery scent.
As you evaluate the results you are hoping for, combine oils that will help you get the overall results. If someone has a cold, you may want to try Breathe or Eucalyptus, if you need a more calming environment, use the Calming blend. As a general rule, when you are diffusing a blend, do not mix it with other oils.
Q: Is it safe to use oils while taking other over the counter cold medicines?
A: You may find that the oils are actually more effective than many of the OTC medicines, and may not need to use your OTC medicines.
Q: Can I overdose on the oils, like I can with medicines? How do I know if I am using too much, or applying too often?
A: While the vast majority of essential oils can be used freely, there are a few that contain compounds that could be toxic at higher dosages, such as Wintergreen, Idaho Tansy, Hyssop.
Q: Are the oils safe to use on my children? Are they safe to use if I am pregnant?
A: Some of the oils should be used with extra precautions on children or if you are pregnant. Consult the Directions For Use tab for any cautions.
Q: Do I have to dilute the oils before applying them topically?
A: Dilution is not required for most people. However, each person’s skin is different, and each person’s tolerance or sensitivity to the oils will vary. Some oils are very mild, like lavender, and can be applied without dilution on most people. However, lemongrass and oregano will probably require some dilution. Start out by diluting the oils, or by applying a small amount to the wrist. If it begins burning, apply a carrier oil to help dilute it. Dilution is a good practice for young children.
Q: When applying multiple oils, do I need to wait between applying each oil, or can I apply one immediately after the other one?
A: You do not need to wait between application of the different oils, they can be applied immediately on top of each other. It's better known as layering and is very effective when applying oils for a variety of uses.
Q: Are essential oils effective for mental health?
A: Yes! Essential oils such as Frankincense or sandalwood contain a naturally occurring chemical constituent that can go beyond the blood brain barrier and affect the brain to help cure diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and Lou Gehrig’s. Essential oils can be a powerful key to help unlock and release emotional trauma, alleviate ADHD, nervous disorders, depression, addiction, and so forth by calming the mind.
Q: What is the cost comparison of dōTERRA oils to other brands?
A: Compared with thousands of brands on the market for essentials and even high quality supplementation and considering their purity and potency, dōTERRA is extremely competitive and cost is relatively low. Those enrolled in a wholesale membership receive greater discounts for using and sharing. Click here for more information on how to get deep discounts on every order.