While I didn’t compile this information, someone else did a great job of doing so. Plus, this is all available through the Young Living website as well.
Does Young Living use pesticides?
We do not use pesticides at our Young Living farms or our partner farms. Both our farm practices and finished products are held to strict standards, and with the measures we have in place, we feel confident that we offer our members the best, purest products available.
Are Young Living products tested on animals?
Young Living has a policy against testing the efficacy or safety of its products on animals. Young Living’s products are formulated to be safe for nearly all users, and animal testing is neither required nor performed in our product development process.
Are Young Living essential oils certified organic?
Young Living prides itself on offering the purest and most effective essential oils possible, and we are often asked if our oils are certified organic. The organic certification, while important, is far from the only standard of quality by which to judge essential oils. Young Living practices a unique Seed to Seal® quality process that goes beyond the current organic standard in many ways. At Young Living, we don’t just rely on others to verify the purity of our oils. We work directly with our farms, growers, and distillers to ensure the quality, integrity, and authenticity of every product we produce. Our passion and commitment is to produce 100-percent pure, unadulterated essential oils that retain all of the natural constituents and therapeutic properties nature intended.Our Seed to Seal process ensures the purest therapeutic-grade essential oils through careful monitoring of every step of essential oil production—from the time a seed is sourced until the oil is sealed in the bottle. Every batch of our essential oils, whether cultivated on our own farms or by one of our carefully vetted partner growers, is rigorously tested and subjected to careful review through every step of production and meets or exceeds industry safety and purity standards. Young Living’s dedication to quality ensures that we provide pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils with the complete, optimal blend of plant constituents to provide maximum potency and results.As millions of satisfied members and customers across the globe can testify, Young Living sets the standard for purity and quality in the essential oil industry. While standards and guidelines can vary and be modified, our dedication to providing the safest, most beneficial essential oils in the world will never change.
What tests does Young Living conduct on their essential oils?
Young Living uses its own internal labs and third-party facilities to verify that Young Living purity and potency standards are met. Each batch of essential oil is sent through six rigorous tests and must meet established quality benchmarks to pass through successfully.* Mass Spectrometer—Identifies the names of each constituent (plant chemicals) in the oil.*Gas Chromatograph—Measures the percentage of constituents in the oil.*Refractive Index—Measures the density of the oil using a concentrated beam of light. *Specific Gravity—Measures how heavy the oil is as compared to water.*Flash Point—Ignites the oil and tests it against standard flash temperatures.*Optical Rotation—Measures the molecular structure of the oil.Once the tests are complete, the results are compared to the vast library of information Young Living has amassed over 20 years. This library of oil data is unmatched in the industry. If the incoming oils do not meet the established profile, they are rejected and not allowed to be bottled as a Young Living product. (YL Founder Gary Young has stated that they will actually dispose of oils that do not meet standards because they should never be on the market. Most companies will sell them to someone else but Young Living does not.)
What is the shelf life of Young Living oils?
Young Living’s essential oils do not expire and will maintain their integrity, efficacy, and beneficial properties virtually indefinitely, provided they are stored properly in a dark-glass bottle, upright and tightly sealed, out of sunlight, and in cool temperatures.
Are Young Living essential oils distilled multiple times?
Each batch of Young Living essential oil is only processed/distilled from plants once before bottling.
How are Young Living essential oils created?
Essential oils are aromatic liquids distilled or extracted from shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, fruit, and seeds. Most Young Living essential oils are extracted using steam distillation. Our food-grade stainless steel distillers are based on a state-of-the-art design that uses very low pressure and low temperature, which is critical for preserving all of the fragile therapeutic constituents of essential oils. Plants are steam distilled in small batches for extended periods using a special low-pressure, low-heat vertical steam technology. Our citrus oils are cold pressed from the rinds of their designated fruit, such as bergamot, orange, grapefruit, tangerine, and lemon. No solvents or synthetic chemicals of any kind are used or added in either method.
Is it possible to be allergic to essential oils?
Essential oils do not generally contain the proteins responsible for allergic reactions, which minimizes the likelihood of an allergic reaction. However, individual sensitivities do vary, and people can still experience sensitivities to essential oils. When using a new essential oil, dilution and a skin spot test is a good idea to ensure that you do not experience any sensitivity to that particular oil.
Can essential oils be ingested?
Many essential oils can be ingested. All of our oils that can be ingested feature a white Supplement Facts box on the product label and dietary usage instructions online. Research indicates that some oils are more effective when taken orally. Only pure essential oils, proven safe and labeled as dietary supplements, should be used internally. Dilution and dosage is dependent on the age, size, and the health constitution of the individual. Follow the recommended dosage on individual product labels to ensure safety or seek the advice of a health professional before administering oils internally.
What about the use of essential oils if I have a medical condition?
Can essential oils interact with prescription medications? – If you have a disease or medical condition, or if you are using a prescription medication, it is recommended that you consult with a health advisor who has experience with EOs prior to using an EO. Seek the advice of the prescribing physician and a pharmacist about potential interactions between the medication(s) and the essential oil(s).
Can essential oils be used on children?
Many EOs are appropriate for use with children, and they should be diluted prior to use. Some YL products are preUdiluted with carrier oil as indicated on product label and are intended for direct application on children. Children generally respond well to EO, and use of a carrier oil is recommended. OneU2 drops of EO such as SleepyIze, RutaVala, Gentle Baby and Peace & Calming may be diluted in carrier oil and applied to the bottom of the feet.
Can essential oils be used during pregnancy or while nursing?
As with any medical condition it is strongly recommended that, prior to use of essential oils, you seek the advice and recommendation of a competent, trained health care advisor who is experienced in EO usage. It is generally recommended to avoid overuse and excessive use of Clary Sage (Salvia&sclarea), Sage (Salvia&officinalis), Tansy (Tanacetum&vulgare), Hyssop (Hyssopus&officinalis), Fennel (Foeniculum&vulgare), and Wintergreen (Gaultheria&procumbens) as well as the blends and supplements that contain these oils.
For an additional perspective here is a very well articulated article:
Can You Trust Young Living?