#WellnessWednesday: How to Choose Quality Essential Oils
The health and wellness industry is quite lucrative. But how can we separate legitimate claims from fiction . . . or complete scams? Read on for tips!
The health and wellness industry is quite lucrative. A 2025 article from the Global Wellness Institute assesses the value of the health and wellness industry at 6.8 trillion.
Exercise equipment, weight loss, diet, beauty products, spas, nutrition, elective procedures, coaching and training, and the list goes on. That includes fads, meds, treatments, etc. With so much out there, how do you know what’s legitimate and what’s not? Especially in the mental health community when so many are desperate for hope and a restoration of health.
But with all the advances in new therapies and medical treatments come the scammers and snake oil salesmen. And, honestly, many believe essential oils to be just that. Since a friend of mine asked me today for my recommendations* for some essential oils, thus, I thought it might be helpful to walk through some tips for choosing reputable and quality products.
As there are a number of companies that sell essential oils, claims (and purity) vary widely. Here’s what you need to know:
Verify Claims: Look into extraordinary claims and have them independently verified by a trusted source like your care provider or reputable organization like Has it been thoroughly vetted or tested by an industry standard?
Longevity: See how long the company has been around. Check sites like the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Reviews. Do they have independent reviews (none that have been paid or influenced in any way). For the products I recommend, particularly for essential oils, they come from companies I use and trust.
The most reputable essential oil companies can provide the CGMS reports that list the chemical breakdown and purity. We discussed this in depth in the episode, “Don’t Know Much About Science Books.” Individuals, like therapists, can be found by their board certifications or other licensing or training entity.
Crowdsourced sites and reviews can sometimes be manipulated or outright purchased, so it’s important to do your research and check with reputable sites.
Proverbs 11:1 says, “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but an accurate weight is His delight.” In fact, the Bible talks a lot about defrauding, false scales, and usury.
Consult Studies: Big Pharma doesn’t want you to know that God’s pharmacy has a number of effective natural remedies and supports. The FDA has “compliant” language requirements. You’ve probably seen some that say, “These statements have not been evaluated . . . “ However, there are several studies citing clinical trials of essential oils and herbal remedies. Regulars here will note I try to link these sources as often as I can in articles and podcast episodes.
Additionally, follow blogs and noted industry people like Aromatics International, an industry-leading business and aromatherapy school; Robert Tisserand, often called the father of modern aromatherapy; and author and aromatherapy expert Scott Johnson.
MLM Companies
Often when I’m asked about essential oils, inevitably I’m asked, “But what about . . . ” [insert name of MLM essential oil company here].
I know wonderful people who rep for these companies, in an effort to support their families. However, the main companies I am aware of have not generally, or readily, provided the GCMS reports mentioned above. The ones that do so now took several years (and much pressure from the industry) before doing so.
Additionally, some of the practices taught at these companies go against the advice of leading aromatherapy professional associations. Again, everyone must do their own due diligence prior to deciding which, if any, company to support.
When it comes to choosing wellness products, including essential oils and herbal remedies, not everything is bad or a scam. However, as shown here, it pays to do your research. What additional tips would you share for spotting or avoiding scams? Chime in below!
