How to tell you have quality oils

   I've researched many websites, and joined quite a few groups on websites and on Facebook.  I read the free parts first to make sure I'm a good fit for any group I'm interested in joining.​  

I've seen some that say they can tell they have quality oils by the smell or the feel (or both) of the oil.  I've also seen some who say that theirs is the only quality oil out there and to not trust any other company's oils.  When I read those things, I become very suspicious of the true motives of the author(s).  Statements like these are sales gimmicks.  The first may be true if the person has many years of experience and training in essential oils and the second strikes me as a fear-mongering tactic (although I've seen some highly reputable and knowledgeable people use it.)  So, lets look at the reality of oil quality.

*  Terms like 'therapeutic grade can be a sales pitch.  Essential oils in the U.S. are not "graded".  According to Dr. Robert Pappas ”while many companies promote their own therapeutic grade standard, one should be aware that there is no universally accepted independent body that certifies essential oils as therapeutic grade.”   (Pappas, 2017)  He goes on to say that there are many companies that may have established their own grading system of essential oils and those systems may include a 'Therapeutic Grade'.
*  One way to determine the quality of an essential oil is to read the GC/MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) report.  The GC/MS report is a chemical analysis of the oil which shows all the chemicals (natural &/or synthetic) found in that batch of oil.  It also shows the quantity of each chemical as a percentage of the whole.  You can compare this chemical analysis to a chart of the typical/expected percentages of each chemical to ensure the oil has not been adulterated. The book Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand is a good place to check this.  
*  While GC/MS is the starting place to determine an oil's purity, there is more to the picture.  Dr. Pappas explains that "Judgments about essential oil quality take more than just good chemists and good equipment, they require many years of experience in odor evaluation and knowing what specific minor components are desirable in an oil and not just focusing on the major components."   (Pappas, 2017)
If you are new to aromatherapy however, learning about essential oil chemistry and looking at GC/MS is a great way to determine your oil quality.  
There are highly reputable companies who provide the GC/MS reports on the website so you can check the reports before you purchase the oil.  Aromatics International (aromatics.com) is one of my favorites.  

So where does Dragoo's Oil Blends fit? 
My company is still very small and I focus on developing and selling oil blends, customized blends, and bath and body care products. ​ I have a booth at Old Rooster Creek Flea Market in Princeton, TX where I also sell organic herbs.  Locally, I buy supplies from Deb's Oils (also online at Debsoils.com). Online, I have purchased from aromatics.com, Stillpoint Aromatics, and Edens Garden.  I am able to access GC/MS reports from these companies

The companies I've listed in this blog are only a few that sell high quality essential oils.  In the members' section, I'll have a page which lists resources for companies that I've found to provide quality products.

Do you have a favorite place to buy your oils?  Can you get the GC/MS or a chemical analysis from them?  Please share the names of companies with great products!