Just what is GC/MS and why is this important in aromatherapy? The initials GC/MS stand for Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer. This is a highly sophisticated state-of-the art chemical analyzing computer used by chemists to determine the precise make-up of a given substance. In aromatherapy, the GC/MS is used to determine what substances are found in the composition of an essential oil. This testing is important because this is how I guarantee an essential oil is pure and free of any foreign substances. This also helps me determine the chemical family of the essential oil.

Why is it useful to understand the chemistry of essential oils? Essential oils are composed of natural plant chemical components (also called constituents). These components are physical substances that have some measurable therapeutic activity, validated through both research and personal experiences. When I obtain a GC/MS analysis on an essential oil, I get a list of components that are present in that oil along with the exact percentages of each component present. Essential oils can have as few as ten components or more than 500. Every component on this list belongs to one specific chemical family.

Classifying essential oils according to their chemical families can be a huge help in understanding the basic therapeutic activity of an essential oil. This classification also helps me to understand why several oils can have the same basic properties. If three oils all possess the same chemical family and even the same constituents, I can assume that their therapeutic activity will be similar. This goes a long way in providing me with good choices for combining essential oils to make a potent and effective blend.

Each chemical family is associated with certain therapeutic properties. For most of the families we can make broad generalizations about the therapeutic properties. For a few of the chemical families we can’t make such broad generalizations. The advantage of understanding the essential oils from a chemical family perspective is that I will have a system for blending more effectively for specific health issues. (1)

It is crucial to look at the GC/MS for each oil in order to see which chemical families are present in significant percentages. This helps me understand the behavior of the oil. For example, in the chemical family Monoterpenes, the constituents a-pinene and b-pinene are mucolytic and antispasmodic for the respiratory system. They are anti-inflammatory. Research indicates that they may work through the stimulation of the adrenal glands, supporting immune system when dealing with inflammation; a tonic for the adrenal glands.

I believe in order for an essential oil to have its intended effect, the oil must be a pure plant extract. Oils that are not pure plant extracts, oils that contain additives such as perfumes or other ingredients, are considered adultered. Adultered oils will not provide the intended therapeutic effects and may in fact cause allergies, headaches, and chemical sensitivities. In addition, synthetics do not have the properties of true essential oils. At Inshanti, every batch of oil purchased from a distiller or distributor is tested with GC/MS technology. Therefore, all Inshanti products and blends are made from pure organic essential oils that have been tested with GC/MS technology.

The GC/MS instrument is a computerized device consisting of two parts. The Gas Chromatograph (GC) portion separates the compounds found in the essential oil into individual components and produces a linear graph that charts these components. The instrument performs two-dimensional testing. The Mass Spectrometer (MS) device identifies each of the components present and their percentages. Therefore, the “MS” part of the test detects any unknown or intentionally added adulterants. If pure organic essential oils and their therapeutic results are what you desire, then GC/MS tested oils and blends from GC/MS tested oils will be your choice. Simply stated, having an essential oil analyzed by GC/MS technology is the only way of insuring the oil has not been changed in any way. While labels of many oils may state they are “pure essential oils,” unless the oils have been fully GC/MS analyzed, you will generally be purchasing oils of inferior quality. All oils purchased and sold by Inshanti are tested with GC/MS technology to assure their purity and exact chemistry. We believe this process is vital for quality organic products that are pure, effective, and safe.

(1) Andrea Butje, Aromahead Institute