Why this label?
Essential oils
Essential oils today
Our initial findings
For several years now, we have been observing abnormally low HE prices on the world market.
We paid particular attention to these Essential Oils. Chromato analyses sometimes revealed a poverty of components, compared with what we were used to.
The main molecules are present in the expected percentages, but the diversity that makes an essential oil so rich is missing.
Chromato comparisons :
Molecules with unusual shapes
Conventional analysis (chromatography) of EO does not allow us to characterize a fraud, but it does sometimes allow us to raise a doubt.
We were interested in the chiral form of the molecules: 3D configuration. We were able to compare certain known natural molecules with similar molecules derived from these dubious EOs.
The discovery of new chiral forms revealed a non-natural origin. Chirality analysis is too costly and does not effectively characterize the fraud; it allows the analysis of too few different EOs.
Our research enables us to :
- understanding inconsistencies: synthetic molecules replace natural molecules
- report the presence of unknown properties and toxicity
Synthetic molecules betrayed by their age
Carbon 14:
The dubious batches analyzed all showed a high level of molecules of fossil origin, indicating the presence of synthetic products. Carbon-14 analysis is a reliable way of characterizing the adulteration of essential oils, but it is too expensive to be made available for a regular control plan.
The HEPNA label is based on a control plan throughout the supply chain to trace the naturalness of the Essential Oil from the plant to the marketed product.
Pure and Natural Essential Oil
Traces the plant to the Essential Oil
on the shelf.
With pure, natural essential oils
Will be the tracer from the plant to the compound product.
NB: 100% of the Essential Oils used in the product must be HEPNA certified.
The situation
Analysis of the essential oils industry
Synthetic essential oils flood the aromatherapy market
Why this situation?
Synthesis offers many advantages for the industry:
- A price that defies all competition. For example, today organic Officinal Lavender "EO" is available at $15/kg, compared with a cost price in France of over €100/kg.
- Infinite yields
- Zero pesticides
- Standard quality for the long term
- Absolutely undetectable by traditional analysis methods
The hidden face of synthesis
- Different, unknown molecules.
Doubts about properties and safety of use - Unfair competition.
The industry is suffering, with many producers closing down.
