What does organic mean?
‘Organic’ is a term now frequently used across the UK and the rest of the world. This is particularly true when it comes to fresh produce such as food and essential oils. But what does Organic mean?
In a recent study by the Soil Association, half of the participants said that Covid-19 made them more likely to buy organic beauty and wellbeing products. Perhaps this is because many consumers consider these products to be better for the planet or perhaps better for themselves. But either way, more people are buying this way than ever before.
At Tisserand Aromatherapy we supply organic, wildcrafted and ethically sourced essential oils. All are carefully procured, and we only use ethical suppliers and sources we can trust. Our commitment to bringing you the best essential oils is a constant and important task.
To receive organic certification, the farmer must meet strict criteria. However, that can take up to two years to achieve.
Criteria include avoiding the use of artificial pesticides, practising good husbandry by crop rotation to maintain soil health, and controlling weeds and other pests by naturally approved methods. Only then can a ‘crop’ be certified. It's an expensive and lengthy process.
Essential oils are grown and sourced from across the globe. Some come from developing countries, where even though a farmer may be following ‘organic’ methods, they don’t have the resources and finances to meet the strict criteria. In some cases, this form of essential oil might not even exist at all.
When we hear the word ‘organic’ we tend to associate this with being the best quality. But the truth is, all our oils – including ethically harvested and wildcrafted – are of the highest quality. Organic options are not always available, and in some cases, this is due to a particularly remote farm.
An Ethically Harvested essential oil is where a plant is consciously cultivated in its natural environment. This ensures the species grows in abundance and is not depleted.
Wildcrafted plants are not cultivated but gathered from their wild habitat in conditions favourable to the health of the plant.
At Tisserand Aromatherapy we are proud to support our Ethically Harvested and Wild Crafted farmers and suppliers while also offering you as many of our oils in an organic form as possible.
We will always use 100% natural pure essential oils for the aromatic component of any product, stating this on our labels and declaring organic essential oils when used. It is sometimes not possible for some products to be 100% organic, despite containing many certified ingredients, for example, most wash products contain water (aqua), and that is something that can’t reach an organic standard.
Unfortunately, a lot of companies and brands use the words ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ on their labels when their products don’t reflect this on the inside. Current legislation states that total ingredients need only be 95% organic for the finished product to receive the status, which can mislead consumers! We only claim organic soil associated when our product is 100% organic!
For us, it’s all about what’s inside, and at Tisserand Aromatherapy we take that very seriously. We will continue to bring you the best quality ingredients whether organic or not.
About Jo Kellett
Our essential oil expert, Jo Kellett TIDHA MIFPA CIMI, graduated from the Tisserand Institute of Holistic Aromatherapy in 1996. She returned to the college in 1999 as an Essential Oil Therapeutics Tutor, where she taught until the college closed. Jo runs a successful private Aromatherapy practice in Brighton, specialising in Women’s health. Jo is also an internationally published author and has lectured on the subject of Aromatherapy both in the UK and abroad.
For more information on Jo Kellett, check out her website or Instagram.
In a recent study by the Soil Association, half of the participants said that Covid-19 made them more likely to buy organic beauty and wellbeing products. Perhaps this is because many consumers consider these products to be better for the planet or perhaps better for themselves. But either way, more people are buying this way than ever before.
Our essential oils
At Tisserand Aromatherapy we supply organic, wildcrafted and ethically sourced essential oils. All are carefully procured, and we only use ethical suppliers and sources we can trust. Our commitment to bringing you the best essential oils is a constant and important task.
Why are some essential oils organic and others not?
To receive organic certification, the farmer must meet strict criteria. However, that can take up to two years to achieve.
Criteria include avoiding the use of artificial pesticides, practising good husbandry by crop rotation to maintain soil health, and controlling weeds and other pests by naturally approved methods. Only then can a ‘crop’ be certified. It's an expensive and lengthy process.
Essential oils are grown and sourced from across the globe. Some come from developing countries, where even though a farmer may be following ‘organic’ methods, they don’t have the resources and finances to meet the strict criteria. In some cases, this form of essential oil might not even exist at all.
When we hear the word ‘organic’ we tend to associate this with being the best quality. But the truth is, all our oils – including ethically harvested and wildcrafted – are of the highest quality. Organic options are not always available, and in some cases, this is due to a particularly remote farm.
What is the difference between ethically harvested and wildcrafted?
An Ethically Harvested essential oil is where a plant is consciously cultivated in its natural environment. This ensures the species grows in abundance and is not depleted.
Wildcrafted plants are not cultivated but gathered from their wild habitat in conditions favourable to the health of the plant.
At Tisserand Aromatherapy we are proud to support our Ethically Harvested and Wild Crafted farmers and suppliers while also offering you as many of our oils in an organic form as possible.
What’s on the inside?
We will always use 100% natural pure essential oils for the aromatic component of any product, stating this on our labels and declaring organic essential oils when used. It is sometimes not possible for some products to be 100% organic, despite containing many certified ingredients, for example, most wash products contain water (aqua), and that is something that can’t reach an organic standard.
Unfortunately, a lot of companies and brands use the words ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ on their labels when their products don’t reflect this on the inside. Current legislation states that total ingredients need only be 95% organic for the finished product to receive the status, which can mislead consumers! We only claim organic soil associated when our product is 100% organic!
For us, it’s all about what’s inside, and at Tisserand Aromatherapy we take that very seriously. We will continue to bring you the best quality ingredients whether organic or not.
About Jo KellettOur essential oil expert, Jo Kellett TIDHA MIFPA CIMI, graduated from the Tisserand Institute of Holistic Aromatherapy in 1996. She returned to the college in 1999 as an Essential Oil Therapeutics Tutor, where she taught until the college closed. Jo runs a successful private Aromatherapy practice in Brighton, specialising in Women’s health. Jo is also an internationally published author and has lectured on the subject of Aromatherapy both in the UK and abroad.
For more information on Jo Kellett, check out her website or Instagram.
