Harvest

The key to producing oils that are of genuine therapeutic quality starts with the proper cultivation of the herbs in the field. Growing herbs for essential oils starts with growing crops organically, there is much more to producing a high quality essential oil than raising plants organically.

Plants should be grown on virgin land uncontaminated by chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, or herbicides. They should also be grown away from nuclear power plants, factories, interstates, highways, and heavily-populated cities, if possible.
Because robust, healthy plants produce higher quality essential oils, the soil should be nourished with enzymes, minerals, and organic mulch. The mineral content of the soil is crucial to the proper development of the plant, and soils that lack minerals result in plants that produce inferior oils.
Land and crops should be watered with deep-well, reservoir, or watershed water. Mountain stream water is best because of its purity and high mineral content. Municipally-treated water or secondary run-off water from residential and commercial areas can introduce undesirable chemical residues into the plant and the essential oil.
Different varieties of plants produce different qualities of oils. Only those plants that produce the highest quality essential oil should be selected.
The timing of the harvest is one of the most important factors in the production of therapeutic-grade oils. If the plants are harvested at the wrong time of the season or even at the incorrect time of day, they may distill into a substandard essential oil. In some instances, changing harvest time, by even a few hours, can make a huge differ ence. For example, German chamomile harvested in the morning will produce an oil with far more azulene (a powerful anti-inflammatory compound) than chamomile harvested in the late afternoon.
Other factors that should be taken into consideration during the harvest include the amount of dew on the leaves, the percentage of plant in bloom, and weather conditions during the two weeks prior to harvest.
To prevent herbs from drying out prior to being distilled, distillers should be located as close to the field as possible. Transporting herbs to distillers hundreds or thousands of miles away heightens the risk of exposure to pollutants, dust, mold, and petrochemical residues.

More Articles on Producing High Quality Essential Oils:

What is an Essential Oil and Knowing How to Distinguish the Real Deal from Junk

Essential Oil Production: Proper Distillation Means Everything

About the Young Living Essential Oil Farms