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62 m a s s a g e & b o d y wo r k n ove m b e r/d e ce m b e r 2 0 2 1 What are Synthetics? Synthetic aromas are odors made by chemical synthesis through human-directed processes. Most f ragrances in perfumes, body care products, hair care products, candles, air f resheners, detergents, and household cleaners are synthetics or composed of a combination of natural and synthetic aromas. Companies adding f ragrance to products or using plant compounds for industrial purposes have little stake in the purity of plant oils so long as they meet basic standards. Companies adding f ragrance to cosmetics or body care products need the aroma of their products to smell the same every time consumers purchase them. Different growing environments or conditions during a particular growing season can cause even the same species of plant to produce significant variations in the chemistry of its essential oil. To obtain standardized scents, even companies claiming to be natural and organic may add synthetics or isolated aroma chemicals to natural oils to get a consistent f ragrance in their products. In fact, aromatherapy comprises only 5 percent of the international market segment for consumers of essential oils. While there are good reasons for creating synthetic aromas for the perfume industry, like preserving plant species, synthetics have no place in aromatherapy because aromatherapy aims to improve wellness. Synthetics are harmful to people, causing everything f rom headaches and nausea to allergies and skin sensitivities, and knowledgeable aromatherapists avoid them. Adulterations Adulterations occur when people add alcohol, vegetable oil, synthetic human- made chemicals, or cheaper essential oils to the primary oil to increase its volume and improve profit margins. For example, melissa (Melissa officinalis) plants contain very little essential oil. It takes a lot of melissa to get a little bit of oil. As a result, producers toss a variety of other plants into the distillation unit along with melissa to get more oil. Another example is lavendin (Lavandula x intermedia), which is easier and cheaper to grow than lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) and smells somewhat similar. Lavendin is often labeled and sold as lavender. Synthetic formulations are regularly sold as pure, natural essential oils or mixed into pure oils to increase their volume or standardize their aromas. The term therapeutic grade is not regulated and so is meaningless. Don't be fooled by this label. K AI DAHMS/UNSPL ASH.COM K AROLINA GRABOWSK A/PEXELS.COM