NOW Foods - NOW Solutions Essential Oil Quality

NOW Solutions Essential Oil Quality

	Click here for more information on Assuring the Identity and Purity of NOW® Solutions Essential Oils.
	Quality Extraction Methods
	The process of extracting essential oils from their botanical origin is unquestionably one of the most important steps in the manufacturing process. Poor extraction methods can compromise the potency, aroma and effectiveness of the resulting oil. NOW's essential oils are extracted by three different methods, using only the best possible practices. Steam Distillation With distillation, essential oils are converted into vapor and them condensed into liquid form where they can be bottled for your enjoyment. It is a popular, natural and precise way to gently extract essential oils, while leaving behind any undesirable components. Cold Press Extraction Cold press extraction is another natural extraction method used primarily for citrus extracts, such as Orange, Lemon, Lime, Bergamot and Tangerine. It involves carefully applying a cold "press" to the botanical to extract the highest concentration of beneficial oils. Solvent Extraction Botanicals that are too delicate or costly for distillation are often extracted efficiently using safe solvents such as ethanol. Examples of solvent-extracted oils include Rose Absolute and Jasmine Absolute. CO₂ Extraction CO₂ Extraction is used to remove the oils or essence from the plant matter without using heat or leaving any sovent residue behind.
	Validating Essential Oil Quality
	Essential oils are only a good as their active components. NOW's team of Quality Control experts conduct a series of quality tests to ensure that each oil is of the highest possible quality. All NOW Essential Oils are GC/FTIR verified. Gas Chromatography (GC) GC is an "identity" test that is used on complex mixtures to separate and identify individual volatile components through specific analytical columns combined with a carrier gas. This "fingerprint" allows an experienced analytical chemist to positively identify the oil's species. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) With FTIR, a beam of infrared light is passed through a sample to determine the frequency at which energy is absorbed. It is a highly accurate method that helps reveal and confirm the identity and purity of essential oils. NOW's experienced analytical chemists use this sophisticated tool to check every oil. Optical Rotation NOW requires all suppliers of essential oils to perform an Optical Rotation analysis to ensure that each batch meeets our demanding set of established minimum criteria. Aroma Comparison NOW's Quality Control department goes one step beyond analytical testing. Our professional Quality Inspectors physically inspect our essential oils for texture, color and aroma.

	Essential Oil Classifications
	Certified Organic The botanicals used to produce NOW@ Certified Organic Essential Oils are grown in soil that is free of pesticide, synthetic fertilizer and herbicide residues. Each one is guaranteed to be of the finest quality available, GC/FTIR (see above) verified and Certified Organic by Quality Assurance International (QAI). Pure and Natural The diversity, purity and potency inherent to each of our Pure & Natural Essential Oils have made them favorites among both aromatherapists and casual users. Each one is highly concentrated, synthetic-free and subject to the same testing methods as our Certified Organic oils. Essential Oil Blends Essential Oil blends serve as a cost-effective way to enjoy the aromatic fragrances of many of today's most sought after essential oils. Jasmine Absolute, Rose Absolute and Lemon/Eucalyptus are among the most popular.