Essential oils are a wonderful way to enjoy the fragrances from some of today’s most sought after extracts. Aromatherapy oils are genuine reflections of the botanical from which they’re derived from. When diffusing these natural extracts are into the air of a room, they can inspire, energize, soothe, and encourage wellness and peace of mind. Today, essential oils are used in therapeutic settings to help achieve a positive mood and bring about relaxation.
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The NOW Essential Oils Collection
The NOW essential oils company is called NOW Solutions. They used to also go by the name NOW Foods. I’ll be using the terms NOW Foods, NOW, and NOW Solutions interchangeably. Please don’t get confused – it’s all the same thing.
This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure policy here.
NOW not only makes essential oils. As a company, they manufacture and distribute over 1,400 natural foods, dietary supplements, sports nutrition and personal care products. Related aromatherapy products include essential oil diffusers, essential oil blends, and a selection of organic oils.
NOW Solutions offers a combination of premium quality at affordable prices. They have built lasting relationships with their suppliers and vendors, and are able to buy large quantities of raw materials at substantial discounts. This gets passed on to us customers in the form of everyday low prices.
A Brief History
NOW is still family owned as it has been from the beginning. Photo courtesy of nowfoods.com.
In 1948, entrepreneur Paul Richard purchased a small Chicago-based manufacturing company that made grain and legume-based products, marking the beginning of a six-decade family company legacy. NOW Foods is still a family-owned company today.
NOW Foods was founded on the belief that good health is not a luxury available only to the wealthy. This translates into manufacturing high-quality, affordable nutrition products. “A helping hand since 1968” is a slogan on some of their company literature.
Quality Assurance
NOW essential oils are produced with loving attention to detail from start to finish. The company insists on using the best raw botanicals available, process them with gentle extraction methods, and commit to producing industry-leading quality.
Since the process of extracting essential oils from their botanical origin is unquestionably one of the most important steps in the manufacturing and quality assurance process, NOW brand uses only the best available practices:
NOW brand essential oils company logo
- Steam Distillation: With steam distillation, essential oils are converted into vapor and then condensed into liquid form where they can be bottled for your enjoyment. It is a popular, natural and precise way to gently extract essential oils while leaving behind any undesirable components.
- Cold Press Extraction: Cold press extraction is another natural extraction method used primarily for citrus extracts, such as Orange, Lemon, Lime, Bergamot and Tangerine. It involves carefully applying a cold “press” to the botanical to extract the highest concentration of beneficial oils.
- Solvent Extraction: Botanicals that are too delicate or costly for distillation are often extracted efficiently using safe solvents such as ethanol. Examples of solvent-extracted oils include Rose and Jasmine.
- CO2 Extraction: CO2 Extraction is used to remove the oils or essence from the plant matter without using heat or leaving any solvent residue behind.
Poor extraction methods can compromise the potency, aroma and effectiveness of the resulting oil, making it imperative to pay attention to any essential oil brand’s process of manufacturing.
NOW Foods clearly shows great care and stewardship for extracting the best essence of the essential oils you find in the bottles available for sale. This is why we continue to feature them on our popular list of top 10 best essential oil brands.
Certified Organic
All NOW oils are pure, natural, highly concentrated and free of synthetic compounds. A selection of NOW brand essential oils are classified as Certified Organic. But it is important to note that not all of NOW Foods essential oils line-up is from organic botanicals – only the ones labeled as such.
To qualify for USDA organic certification, the raw materials have to be sourced from certified organic ingredients; grown in soil that is free of pesticides, synthetic fertilizer and herbicidal residues. All essential oils in the NOW brand line-up of oils are subject to the same internal testing process as the “Certified Organic” ones, they just don’t all qualify for displaying the label.
- See also: Are organic essential oils better?
Line-Up of NOW Certified Organic Essential Oils
- Organic Citronella Oil – 1 oz
- Organic Eucalyptus Oil – 1 oz
- Organic Lemon Oil – 1 oz
- Organic Lavender Oil – 1 oz
- Organic Peppermint Oil – 1 oz
- Organic Orange Oil – 1 oz
- Organic Rosemary Oil – 1 oz
- Organic Tea Tree Oil – 1 oz
Testing Process
Essential oils are only a good as their active components. NOW Foods uses their own team of quality control experts to conduct quality tests and ensure that each oil matches their standard. NOW’s team conducts a series of quality tests to ensure that each oil is of the highest possible quality.
All NOW Essential Oils are GC/FTIR verified, which is an aromatherapy industry-standard testing qualification. GC stands for Gas Chromatography and FTIR for Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Not that these technical details really matter to the average user, but it’s good to know that this is not only a company-internal testing process labeled with some smart marketing name to confuse consumers. For example, doTerra also uses GC and FTIR testing to ensure the quality of their essential oils (read it on doTerra’s blog here).
Food Grade and Therapeutic Grade
One of the best and most honest things you can read about food grade and therapeutic grade essential oils can be found on NOW Food’s essential oils purity guide website, in the section “Are Essential Oils Food Grade?“. I promise it will be worth your time! In summary, it says that:
- “Therapeutic grade” cannot be chemically measured and is therefore just a marketing made up by the industry with no authoritative body or organization behind the term.
- Claiming an oil to be “Food grade” (i.e., edible) would require that brand to display a Nutrition Facts panel on their label as required by law. However, if you recognize the source of these oils as food (i.e. peppermint, oregano, cinnamon bark), then natural extraction methods such as steam distillation and cold pressing do nothing to change this quality, and these methods do not make the oil toxic.
- Oils that are not food grade will have the statement “Not for Internal Use” in the caution box on the label. If you have questions regarding the use of any NOW Solutions essential oil please contact their Certified Nutritionists by calling 888-669-3663 and choosing option 5 or by emailing productinfo@nowfoods.com.
Starter Kits
NOW oils distributes a fine selection or starter sets or gift kits, making it easy to dive into using essential oils without having to decide which single oils to order to begin with. Currently, there are four starter kit options available:
- Put Some Pep In Your Step: Uplifting essential oils. Includes 3 singles (Grapefruit, Orange, Lemon), and 1 blend (Cheer Up Buttercup), 10 mL each.
- Love At First Scent: Romantic essential oils kit. Includes 3 singles (Cinnamon Cassia, Rose Absolute, Bergamot), and 1 blend (Naturally Lovable), 10 mL each.
- Let There Be Peace and Quiet: Relaxing essential oils kit. Includes 3 singles (Lavender, Peppermint, Eucalyptus), and 1 blend (Peaceful Sleep), 10 mL each.
- Seasonal Changes: Balancing essential oils kit. Includes 2 singles (Tea Tree, Eucalyptus Raidata), and 2 blends (Nature’s Shield, Clean the Air).
With any of these starter kit options you’ll be well on your way to enjoying essential oils!
Now Foods Carrier Oils
If you’ve come to love and trust the NOW essential oils brand, you might like to stock your cabinet with their carrier oils, too! You can get carrier oils in a convenient 5-pack sampler pack, including almond oil, avocado oil, vegetable gylcerine, grapeseed oil and apricot oil.
Some of the amazing properties are:
- Avocado oil is rich in vitamin A, D & E and can help you improve skin elasticity.
- Sweet Almond oil contains vitamins A, E , B, & D, and also Zinc and Calcium. This oil gets absorbed without blocking pores. It is lightweight and odorless, and calms skin inflammation, making your skin soft and smooth.
- Apricot oil is a great natural oil for use with sensitive skin. It easily blends with essential oils and absorbs quickly into the skin.
- Vegetable gylcerine oil is sourced from Non-GMO palm oil to provide maximum benefits.
- Grapeseed oil is a great source of essential fatty acids and prevents premature aging.
- Rosehip seed oil is rich in antioxidants, supports a healthy immune system and may fight skin aging.
In Summary
I hope you’ve enjoyed my Now Foods essential oils review. I feel comfortable recommending NOW essential oils to you. I like their thorough scientific testing and no-BS declaration of information. NOW oils are also attainable at a reasonable price, which I think is also a plus for their company.
Further Reading
Now Foods Essential Oils (official website)
Laurie L Larkin
Great and informative article. I have been delving into the quality of oils for a bit of time now. I was not willing to pay the high prices for YL or DoTerra oils, figuring there had to be an equal quality, less expensive alternative. After reading some of the marketing ‘schemes’ of these two, I am convinced you are buying a name and not a superior product. I liked that you explained the ‘therapeutic and ingestible’ issues that are so often pushed on us in order to sell their products. I have used NOW for years now and will continue to do so.
Patricia
Can these oils be used if someone in the household is breastfeeding?
Emma Carter
Hi Patricia. Yes SOME oils are safe to use during breastfeeding. However, it is definitely not all oils that are ok for lactating mothers. I recommend the book “Aromatherapy and Massage for Mother and Baby” by Allison England. You can get it here. Alllison England is a qualified aromatherapist and registered nurse. I personally used her book during my pregnancy and early motherhood.
Ashley Cummings
I am just getting into the EO and a friend gave me some peppermine NOW. I am currently experiencing mouth ulcers, will this help heal it? I have heard peppermint EO is great for mouth ulcers but wasn’t sure since it doesn’t specify “food grade” Should I use a carrier oil?
Mary Jo Muellerleile
I am wondering if your essential oils, and in particular Nature’s Shield, are sold in the UK. SWANSEA, WALES.
Emma Carter
Hi! Yes you can buy Now Foods Essential Oils through Amazon.co.uk. Here is a link to their Nature’s Shield blend.
Eliza Sherwany Ahmad
Hi, May I check if I can use now essential oils with my young living desert mist diffuser?
Emma Carter
Hi Eliza. Actually, you may NOT use any oils other than Young Living oils in your Young Living diffuser, if your diffuser is still under warranty and you hope to use the warranty. If your diffuser is already past its warranty period, I’d personally say use any oil you want in there – it likely won’t make a difference! But, you will void the warranty if you do. Find the details in your Desert Mist Manual, or online here (page 13): https://www.scribd.com/document/368626531/DesertMistDiffuser-Manual-US. It reads: “This Warranty Does Not Cover: […] 4. Defects or damage from use of natural oils other than those supplied or sold by Young Living Essential Oils or an authorized distributor; […]”
Diya
I purchased a few Now EOs because of reviews like these and have mixed feelings. My lavender smelt off right from the start. Could be a one off I suppose.
The recommended 3-5 drops in 100ml for diffusing could barely scent up my living room. Might be a problem with my diffuser?
But the killer for me was I used it a couple of times for steam inhalation (mix of eucalyptus, tea tree and peppermint) to clear nasal congestion. Both times led to intense coughing and chest congestion by the following day. The second time my husband actually had to visit a doctor as his coughing fits were getting progressively worse. Am I doing something wrong? I really want these oils to work but am I risking my family’s health with these oils?
John Wright
Thanks for sharing these information. I have found that many essential oils have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-fungal properties that help to boost your immune system and fight infections.
Patricia
I am a member of doTerra and read Young Living Oils can be ingested. Some of the doTerra oils can also be ingested. I know many people in my oil group that do take them but I do not since I am on medication for chronic pain and high blood pressure. I do use the oils for many things but rub them on my feet, diffuse and have blends for various things. Was wondering about that statement, thank you.
Emma Carter
Hi Patricia! Thank you for your question. Young Living has a special line of oils, the “Vitality™” line, which they promote for ingestion. More detailed information is available here: https://www.essentialoilhaven.com/using-essential-oils-safely/. Hope this helps!
Lillie
Elizabeth, I am glad you asked! When it comes to oils -you honestly get what you pay for! I have tried various other brands and then was introduced to DoTerrra’s oils. It was amazing at the sniff test difference, my other brands had a fake, alcohol whiff to them. DoTerra does a CPTG on all the oils, yes this testing is made by the company but simply because withers isn’t certain rules on natural solutions guidelines. This stiff testing gives a product that is certified pure therapeutic grade oils. Think of it this way, if a lemon oil is labeled only for aromatherapy why ever do we drink lemonade, made lemon zest with the rind? If you can take a lemon oil internally, you will want to know what is in that oil! I have researched high and low on various types of essential oils and wasn’t sure if I liked the networking side of some oil companies. I have come to respect DoTerra’s vision of sourcing their oils from there natural habitat and sourcing directly with those farmers to ensure that the farmers are being paid fairly-thus empowering their lives. Teams with DoTerra share and empower others to lead healthier life styles and natural solutions!
Elizabeth Epp
I’m confused. This article says that there are no synthetics in NOW EOs, but my jasmine from NOW has synthetics in the ingredient list…I bought them assuming there wasn’t any, because the others I have are straight 100% oils (except that frankincense is pre-diluted), but this actually have it on the label! And the bottle looks no different from the others, so I am confused!
Is there just something different about jasmine eo?? If so…why?
Irene
Is the Jasmine labeled as a fragrance or an essential oil? Does the label indicate that there is a percentage of essential oil in a carrier? These may answer your question.
I love my NOW oils, and I use a variety of essential oils. So far, NOW oils keep up with all the big name brands.
Michelle McIntosh Burklin
Are your oils synthetic?
“With the exception of one of our jasmine oil blends, which is clearly labeled as synthetic, all NOW Solutions essential oils are naturally derived. Pure, natural jasmine oil is hard to source and very expensive even at wholesale, which translates to exorbitant retail pricing. Synthetic jasmine is much less expensive and its aroma is equivalent to that of pure jasmine, which is why we offer this option to our customers. We also carry a pure jasmine absolute blended with carrier oil as a natural alternative.”
LouAnn Switzer
Lara ,
Hope you can help me with an allergy to linalool. I was asked to make a licorice scented soap that this person would like. My research tells me that Anise star seed eo and sweet fennel eo contain linalool. Sweet fennel eo contains least ppm but I do not want to give him a reaction. Any suggestions on how to get a licorice scent?
Kashley
Good evening everyone!. I am new to this oil life and I am a little confused about the difference between NOW essential oil and the Now organic along with the Food Organic essential oil? It seems as if there are a few different types. I currently have the bottles that say NOW Essential Oils. My main question I guess would be can I even use this one the skin or body butters, bath bombs ect? On the label it does disclose not to use on skin but its 100% pure Lime (this is only one flavor out of 4), I did see it says to dilute it with EX grapeseed, jojoba or almond oil. If I could locate the information as to what ratio I should follow to achieve the level I need it to be at so I can use it for skin and or bath bombs. Thank you in advance ; ) ….
LisaV
Find the dilution tables here. Tremendous information.
Darla
Are NOW oils safe for pets? I would like to use in cleaning as well as diffusers, but have learned some oils are unsafe for pets to walk on then lick paws. Thanks
Emma Carter
Hi Darla. Thanks for your comment! I think this article here will help answer your questions: https://www.essentialoilhaven.com/essential-oils-for-dogs/
Jane
I have used around 20 different NOW EO’s and have yet to be disappointed. I am looking forward to expanding my selection. I believe they offer a good balance of quality and economy. Great value in my opinion.
Cat
I’ve been using E oils over 8 years now &absolutely love Doterra but like many, I hate the price so I’ve been trying to find some other high quality oils. I’ve tried several Now oils but they just don’t seem to work as well (at least for our family). They just don’t seem as potent or something & we all ended up going back to Doterra for now. But I do still like using the Now oils in baths& diffusers. I’m wondering has anyone heard of or by chance tried Jade Bloom Essential Oils? They sound really good with great ratings& gradings& PRICES!! Lol!!
Lana
I am also using doTERRA oils. And also have some Now EOs. I have recently purchased some oils from Edens Garden ok for kids. I used the calm me down roll on for my kid didn’t really notice a change he still had melt downs so I felt that that was not helping, then I tried peace roll on from doTerra which seems to actually help him keep calm . I have noticed that doTerra peppermint smells different from Now peppermint, since peppermint is very strong in my opinion NOW smells more like candy canes and doTerras smells like the planet/mint(seems much stronger). While I am satisfied with doTerra they are very expensive. I am wondering if there are other EOs that are just as good as doTerra?
Marie Sprowl
The difference in peppermint has more to do with menthol levels, not the specific brand or quality per se. Personally, I prefer the strong menthol-y pepperment vs the sweet candy cane type. Ive found the NOW brand to have more menthol than all the brands I’ve tried . It makes my eyes water and sinuses clear on inhalation, which is the decongestion effect Im looking for. Some companies offer both types and will report menthol leveling requested.
Patricia schipf
Purchased 3 bottles of rose absolute . Very disappointed. No rose fragrance at all. Can I return 2 unopened and 1 opened bottle?
J
Thieves : 40 drops clove bud, 35 drops lemon, 20 drops cinnamon bark, 15 drops eucalyptus and 10 drops rosemary. NOW brand called Nature’s Shield contains all of these oils.