GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY AND AROMATOGRAM

Detailed analysis is required to identify the complete composition of a 100% pure essential oil and therefore be able to describe its nature and quality in an accurate, scientific manner. The technique used is known as gas chromatography, and it is often used alongside mass spectrometry. This combined method, known for its high sensitivity and specificity, identifies the molecules contained in an 100% pure essential oil by their structure, from qualitative-quantitative perspective. It is indispensable for chemical typing in relation to botanical identity and can also reveal the presence or absence of any contaminants or foreign substances which could nullify the product quality and/or adulterate it. At FLORA, we perform these analyses on every essential oil and every batch before placing them on the market. Doing so ensures that we know the chemotype of the essential oil and all of its other chemical components, which is essential information for therapists looking to treat various disorders. That’s why you will always find the four or five main chemical components of each essential oil listed on the labels of your FLORA essential oils.

Aromatogram: A technique to be rediscovered and put in place before treatment

The Aromatogram is a method for in-vitro measurement of the antibacterial strength of essential oils against a set strain of bacterial pathogens isolated from an ill person. In the mid-1950s, several researchers (including Valnet, Belaiche and Lapraz) studied the bactericidal strength of 175 aromatic essences. Based on this research and using laboratory equipment known as an Aromatogram, they drew up an “Aromatic Index”. 100% pure essential oils can block certain metabolic functions of germs, such as growth and reproduction, and affect their lysis. This type of analysis is carried out prior to use in infectious diseases, which also include those resistant to antibiotics.

Today, we have access to highly accurate Aromatograms, thanks to the possibility of determining several quantitative parameters and performing them in the liquid phase, or better yet, on microplates, taking care to ensure accurate preparation of the microbial inoculum and the emulsification of the essential oils in the broth culture.

For more in-depth reading, we recommend the following sources (available in Italian):
- Paul Belaiche, L’Aromatogramma Vol. I
- Paul Belaiche, Le malattie infettive Vol. II
- Paul Belaiche, Ginecologia, Vol. III
- Jean Valnet, Guarire con le essenze delle piante
- Jean Valnet, Fitoterapia guarire con le piante