Sourcing & Science

Welcome to my page devoted to helping you discover all about doTERRA’s sourcing, the science behind their testing and all the other stuff you'll learn that you didn't even know you wanted/needed to know.  

I‘ll be the first to admit that I used to buy my essential oils from various sources both online and over the counter. What I didn’t know, that’s just a tiny little detail, is that essential oils are NOT all created equally. 

I came to learn that where an essential oil is sourced, how it’s distilled and who processes it matters.

When you know better, you do better! 
At least that’s how I look at it.

Because essential oils are growing in popularity they can be found everywhere - literally, I’ve seen them in gas stations, in dollar bins, and in what I would consider reputable stores plus, of course, all of creation on the internet. So, how do you know which ones are “good” or “safe” or actually work? Given the industry’s lack of quality control you can’t, by looking at a label, really tell. They’re all slapped with statements like “100% Pure Therapeutic Grade,” but you should examine those further. The majority of the ones that I’ve seen with that label then state only aromatic and/or topical use and that’s just one red flag.

Why is doTERRA different?

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself:

  • Where do the oils come from?

  • Do they test their oils?  If so, are they tested from a third-party?  And do they make the testing results public?

  • Is there ongoing support and education about how, why, and where to use the oil?  Do they provide recipes, protocols, and a personal wellness advocate to help you throughout your essential oil journey?

My guess is that you more than likely can't answer many of those question with a positive manner.  That's the start of what makes doTERRA different.  They are extremely transparent with where they source each essential oil.  They DO test in-house and third-party.  And they do make all their testing results available to the public.  They have an entire website built for this transparency:  doTERRA - Source to You

To answer that third question very simply - YES!  That's what I'm here for!

doTERRA

Pursue What's Pure

Distillation Methods

Steam Distillation
Cold Press
Solvent Extraction

doTERRA CPTG Testing

What’s inside an essential oil bottle is what’s most important. As I already mentioned the essential oil industry as a whole has the freedom to slap an enticing label on a bottle, but whether or not that essential oil contains contaminants or fillers is another story. Adulterated essential oils, like adding fragrance, it what causes an essential oil to become less effective and depending on what contaminants are added can even make them unsafe.

doTERRA is the largest essential oil company in the world and they have made it their mission to share pure, quality essential oils with the world. This is not only an honor, but creates the need for consistency with producing a quality product.

doTERRA has made it their mission to safeguard their production, ensuring each bottle is free from contaminants and fillers they created what’s know as the CPTG Certified Pure Tested Grade® protocol. This process puts each batch of oils through over 50 tests. The key is to not just have pure essential oils, but to protect the chemical constituents of each batch. Bottle to bottle and drop to drop, the oils will have the same purity, potency and efficacy (meaning it does what it’s supposed to do) as the past, present and future batches. The CPTG® testing is exactly what doTERRA has created as the highest standard to make certain that each batch meets their mission.

The “CPTG Combined Videos” is a longer compilation explaining all the testing; quality, microbiology, organoleptic, physical property, and ICP/MS that goes into doTERRA’s Certified Pure Tested Grade® essential oils.
FTIR Quality Testing
Analyzes the composition of an essential oil and ensures it contains the proper chemistry.
Chirality Testing
Determines if any synthetics have 
been added.
GCMS
Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Reveals which constituents are present in an essential oil and at what amounts.

Co-Impact Soucring Initiative

What can I say, this company has stolen my heart. Not only do they care deeply and passionately about the quality of essential oils they provide us, but the heart of the company really swells for who they partner with to provide us with those pure essential oils. doTERRA is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of their farmers, harvesters, and distillers.

With more than 140 origin oils in their product line, doTERRA sources its oils from over 45 countries.


doTERRA’s Co-Impact Sourcing provides sustainable jobs for all those involved in the process.  Beyond creating jobs, doTERRA ensures they are paid a fair wage and treated ethically with love and respect.  Going even a step further, doTERRA helps the communities.  They have done so by building wells, bridges, schools, medical facilities and so much more.  Their intent in doing so, is to make sure their presence in that country is beneficial for everyone, not just those directly involved.

Co-Impact Souring Stories

Learn about a few of doTERRA’s projects:  doTERRA Co-Impact Sourcing Stories