Why Knowing Essential Oil Country of Origin Matters

By Caryn Gehlmann, Clinical Aromatherapist

You’re looking for lavender essential oil, and you notice there are a few different options. For example, here at e3, we carry Lavender (E. Europe) and Lavender (France, High Altitude). They both have the same Latin name, which means it’s the same plant. Yet, the essential oil country of origin is different. Is there a significant difference between the two? Yes! Let’s explore what that is…

This leads to the topic of our Q&A with Caryn for this month. “Why do e3 essential oils include the country of origin? And how is this information valuable to me?”

The essential oil country of origin significantly affects the scent throw, even if it is the same species of plant and has the same distillation process. This is due to factors such as the type of soil, the climate, or the altitude. These elements can affect the oil-producing cells in the plant and produce a distinct chemical composition. This means that one essential oil may have a very different scent than another if the plant of the same species is grown in different conditions.

This information can come in handy when choosing an essential oil, such as Lavender. As mentioned earlier, here at e3 we carry Lavender (E. Europe), country of origin Bulgaria and Lavender (France, High Altitude). They are the same species of Lavender but they smell different. Why? Lavender French is grown at a higher altitude. This causes it to have a slightly more intense floral note with balsamic undertones, unlike Lavender (E. Europe) which has a rich yet mellow floral, fruity scent. The higher altitude also creates a higher ester content which can increase the calming effect most of us think about when we think of Lavender. So if you’re looking for Lavender to help with anxiety, I would recommend Lavender French, while if you’re looking for Lavender to help with a burn or a skin issue, I would recommend choosing whichever smells best to you.

Another example is Geranium (China) and Geranium (Egypt). They have the same Latin name — Pelargonium graveolens. If you’re familiar with the Geranium scent, you know it’s an herbaceous, slightly floral, soft, green aroma. However, these scents have slight variations because of the country of origin. Geranium (China) has a citrusy aroma while Geranium (Egypt) has a fresh, leafy green smell.

The essential oil country of origin is also important to keep in mind if you’re creating your own blend. For example, if your recipe calls for Rose essential oil, it’s important to know that Rose from Bulgaria smells different than Rose from Turkey. So, the Rose essential oil you choose could drastically affect the aroma of your blend.

Please keep sending us your questions! e3’s team of clinical aromatherapists is happy to provide trustworthy answers to questions about essential oils and their safe usage. And if you haven’t already done so, don’t forget that by signing up for our newsletter you get a 20% coupon to use on your next order.