Phyto-remediation, the process of using plants to clean toxins such as lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals out of soil and water has been extensively studied as a positive way to remove pollution. It's quite effective, with plants up-taking up to 90 percent (in some studies) of lead and other heavy metals from the surrounding soil and water and absorbing it into the plant itself. If you watched the video, I promised links to the studies - here they are:
Resiliance.org
ResearchGate
It would stand to reason then, that any plant matter eaten or used for therapeutic benefit would need to be produced in areas where these impurities are not present as the resulting oil would most definitely have impurities passed on through the plant itself (Essential oils, after all, are part of the plant). It's why doTERRA is so specific about where their plants are sourced, and the seven layers of testing they go through before they even hit the bottles for sale.
What does this mean to me? Well, I've often heard people say "It doesn't matter what oils you buy, you're just buying for scent anyway" or my personal favorite "you're only putting it on your lotion/soap/bath bombs...you don't need to worry too much about what's in them, as long as they smell good!"
That scares me when people say that.
Why?
The skin is the largest organ in the human body. That's right - ORGAN - like your heart and lungs...vital in all body functions! You absorb things through your skin. When something is applied to your skin topically it become systemic (or part of your body systems) almost immediately. Ever touched poison ivy and gotten a rash immediately? What about cutting up jalapenos and burning your skin? The truth is, our skin is very sensitive, and it should matter what you put on it - or in reality, IN it.
I'm very careful about the things I eat, the things I clean with, and especially the things I apply to my skin - for scent or for therapeutic benefit. It's that simple. Because, science. That's right, I just used a Bill Nye reference. I'm not going to apologize for that.
