The very first time I ever saw the words "essential oils" was when I was living in Dallas just a rock-throw away from a Whole Foods. It was a rainy day, so I took my time browsing the beauty section. Smelling different soaps, body washes, and...oils? The diffuser first caught my eye and I thought it smelled heavenly! Quickly, I convinced myself I needed this. I needed all the good smells and this really cool misting gadget.

So I bought the diffuser, and 5 of the best smelling oils I could sniff out. 

Here we are a couple of years later and boy do I feel silly.

I completely fell for the marketing gimmicks.

Did you know- EOs aren't regulated by the FDA since they aren't a food, and they aren't a drug. This, unfortunately, allows anyone who wants to sell them to put whatever they want in them and still be able to label it 100% pure...yes, even places you think you can trust (womp womp). 

Oils that are sold in big commercial stores actually only have anywhere from 3%-10% pure oil and the rest fillers, synthetics, and fragrances. 

This is why when I was a cook-in-progress, made myself dinner and burned my hand on the stove, then reached for the Whole Foods "100% Pure Lavender" it made the situation WORSE and my burn rapidly turned into a burn-rash.

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Safe to say, I never used those 5 oils I bought except for in the diffuser. Which, still wasn't a good idea since breathing in adulterated oils is also harmful. Live and learn, right?

Consider this your fair warning for buying oils in Target, TJMaxx, Kroger, Walmart, and even off Amazon that say doTERRA (the one time Prime lets me down)... really bad people out there will dilute these oils with ??? and sell it as doTERRA. Shame on you, bad people.

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So, Why doTERRA? My Top 3 Reasons-

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1. Strict Purity Standards

doTERRA is the only EO company with a Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG) rating.

Let's break it down in 2 parts:

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1) Certified Pure: In partnership with APRC (Aromatic Plant Research Center), doTERRA oils go through rigorous testing, several layers deep on a complex compound breakdown. They then report back to doTERRA what the purity rating is. Even if it's 99.99% pure, it won't be sold. CPTG is the promise that you are getting 100% pure, and not a .01 percent less!

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2) Therapeutic Grade: meaning, there is *fancy science* that back up the claims. 

Yes, you can use doTERRA oils internally, on your skin topically, and in the air you breathe aromatically. It also means that these oils have really wonderful therapeutic based benefits that can be incorporated into your practices for an added boost- meditation, yoga, workout, therapy, counseling, morning and night time routines, ect.

Think about this, too:

doTERRA doesn't try and save a dollar by sourcing their oils by planting one big plot. Instead, they source from over 55+ countries, working with the farmers and harvesters where the plants are indigenous and grow best. Just another layer of standard that are par to none.

Lastly, allow me to introduce you to doTERRA's "Source to You" program. You can enter your unique Quality ID found on the bottom of your oil bottle to view GC/MS test results from APRC and doTERRA Quality scientist and immediately view the results of the oil in your bottle.

Two words: absolute transparency.

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2. Co-Impact Sourcing & Healing Hands Foundation

Now that you know doTERRA sources from (literally) around the world, I want to brag on this beloved company for not only caring about providing us with the most pure EO's possible, but they also deeply, deeply care for those who grow and harvest them.  With over 55+ countries in participation, doTERRA provides substantial and on-time income opportunities. Between doTERRA's Co-Impact Sourcing initiative and their non-profit Healing Hands Foundation, villages learn how to incorporate effective healthy habits into their home and raise happy, wholesome families.

Through these 2 organizations, doTERRA also partners with like-minded organizations such as Operation Underground Railroad, Rapha House, 3 Strands, Days for Girls, and Mentors International.

This allows funds to build schools, medical facilities, rehabilitation centers for sex-trafficking victims, educational classes for feminine care & family planning, and put pipes underground to bring clean, running water to areas without. This, to me, brings a whole new perspective on the oils and how using them can be so much greater than yourself.

I am so emotionally involved in these efforts, and I would write all day about it if I could. Instead, I'll let the short clip below speak for the words and magnitude this support means to those it directly helps:

Pay close attention beginning at 1:39...it's a magical moment!