Food grade essential oils – what does it mean and how to find out which essential oils are safe to ingest? We compiled the list of best food-grade essential oils, with hints to the correct usage, as well as actual customers reviews.
We are used to the fact that essential oils are mostly associated with aromatherapy or cosmetic uses. However, many essential oils are edible provided they meet the requirements of being safe to take internally. Oregano essential oil, lemon essential oil, fennel oil, and black pepper oil are among the best food-grade essential oils that have powerful healing effect.
Best food grade essential oils – how to select them
Many of essential oil products are produced only for use as aromatherapy products. They are highly concentrated and swallowing them can cause severe health problems, such as burns, blisters, and lesions in your mouth, esophagus, stomach lining, and more.
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Therefore, if it is not clearly stated by the producer, that essential oil is suitable for internal use, do not consume it!
There are several things to look for when selecting an oil based product and specifically best food grade essential oils:
Make sure that essential oil is suitable for internal use
Be sure to choose pure and natural essentials oils with very clear indications on the label. If the word “edible” is not indicated on the bottle, avoid using it in the kitchen or contact the brand directly to ask the question. These statements on the label indicate that essential oil is safe for internal use: “food grade”, “edible”, “safe to ingest” or “suitable for internal use”.
Don’t be confused by “therapeutic grade essential oil” labeling
You will probably see many brands labeling their essential oils as “therapeutic grade”. Do they belong to the list of best food-grade essential oils? What is the difference between food grade and therapeutic grade essential oils? Can you actually consume therapeutic grade essential oils?
The short answer – better not. The thing is that there is no official essential oil grading system. A manufacturer can call their oil “therapeutic grade” or “A-grade” or “certified”, but this will only mean that essential oil is graded under the producer´s internal grading system. Again, there is no regulation on these terms and “therapeutic grade” or “certified” does not mean that it is FDA approved or certified for purity by a government agency.
So, just to be on the safe side, if the producer did clearly label its product with “food grade”, “edible”, “safe to ingest” or “suitable for internal use”, do not eat it. A combination of “therapeutic grade” and “suitable for internal use” labels are a perfect indicator that oil is safe to ingest.
Pay attention to the production method of essential oil
For food grade products it is extremely important, where raw materials were sourced from and how essential oil was extracted.
Look for organic, pure and undiluted essentials oils. Avoid brands that use petroleum solvents to make their product. Best food grade essential oils would be paraben-free with no additives, fillers, bases or carriers added.
Don´t trust low prices – pure food grade essential oils cannot be cheap
Unfortunately, it is often the case when producers dilute their oil with a cheap carrier oil or even other potentially dangerous chemicals. A label can state, that the bottle contains 100% of essential oil, however, it’s usually only 1/3 of the natural oil and 2/3 carrier oil. Always beware of large size bottles and unrealistically low prices. Best food grade essential oils cannot be very cheap due to the fact that producer needs to press several kilograms of raw material in order to produce 1 gram of essential oil.
Now without further a due, let’s jump to the list of best food-grade essential oils that are safe to consume.
Best food grade essential oils and their uses
Food grade essential lemon oil
Do you want a refreshing taste of lemon without the need to squeeze the fruit? Add 1-2 drops of food-grade essential lemon oil to an ice tea or smoothie. Recently I tried this detox smoothie with bentonite clay and food grade essential oils, and I was blown away by its taste.
You can also use food-grade essential lemon oil to water a fish. If you are like me and can not stand the smell of raw fish, essential lemon oil can really help. Add 1 drop of essential lemon oil to a water bowl and put fish into this mixture for half an hour. The procedure will completely eliminate the unpleasant smell of the product. After thirty minutes wash the fish with water and cook as usual.
Zongle USDA Certified Organic Lemon Essential Oil
This food-grade essential lemon oil from Zongle is produced naturally from raw materials of Italian origin. Zongle oils are produced without using pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, or genetic engineering. It is labeled as “safe for ingestion”. Tested for microbes, heavy metals, and herbicides.
QUALITY: GMO-Free, free of preservatives, Artificial-Ingredients-Free, Paraben-Free, Pesticide-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Edible, Kid-Safe (when diluted)
CONSUMER REVIEWS: 1) Awesome to amp up hot drinks (coffee and tea). 2) Great to be added to drinking water, and it can be used to flavor food. 3) Great for baking and lemon-flavored desserts. 4) Works perfectly in a moisturizing mixture for nails and cuticles.
Food-grade black pepper essential oil
Black pepper essential oil (Piper nigrum) stimulates appetite, eliminates the feeling of heaviness in the stomach, activates metabolism and facilitates digestion.
Black pepper oil helps people with excessive gas formation as it inhibits bacteria that cause the excessive formation of gas.
To improve your digestion and lower cholesterol levels, ingest 2 drops of black pepper essential oil daily. You can add 2 drops of black pepper essential oil to your warm food (soup, stew or alike) or add them to your morning smoothie.
Artizen Black Pepper Essential Oil
Essential oils from Artizen are of high quality and purity. This black pepper essential oil is no exception. It is steam distilled from the fruit seed of the black pepper plant. Black pepper Essential oil is routinely tested for purity and other unique qualities.
QUALITY: Food grade, GMO-Free, Artificial-Ingredients-Free, Paraben-Free, Pesticide-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan.
CONSUMER REVIEWS: 1) Great to be ingested together with turmeric powder or supplements, to increase absorption of turmeric. 2) Works to relieve muscle pain and soreness, tames arthritis pain. 3) Great for cooking, especially for meat dishes, soups, and ramen. 4) Used as a diuretic to increases urination and remove toxins from the body.
Food-grade fennel essential oil
The fennel essential oil works as an efficient detoxifier, it has diuretic properties, it improves metabolism and promotes better digestion. These qualities of fennel oil contribute to faster weight loss, making it one of the best food-grade essential oils found on the market.
The detoxification process also purifies the bloodstream and cleanses the kidneys along with vital organs. You can use fennel oil by simply adding 1-2 drops in a glass of water. Drink this mixture before meals to help digestion and stop overeating.
BioFinest Fennel Oil – 100% Pure Fennel Essential Oil
This fennel essential oil is distilled from the seeds of organic sweet fennel, this oil is fresh, clean, and slightly spicy with notes of earth and anise. Biofinest organic products are manufactured naturally. No chemicals, no synthetics, no additives, animal cruelty-free. Fennel oil is rich in such vitamins as A, C, and E, therefore works great for skin disorders like acne, rashes, eczema, wrinkles, psoriasis, dermatitis, sores, burns, insect bites, stretch marks.
QUALITY: 100% Pure, no additives, unfiltered, undiluted, with no fillers. Vegan certified, paraben-free, cruelty-free. Edible.
CONSUMER REVIEWS: 1) Really helps to suppress appetite. 2) It helps to eliminate diarrhea. 3) 1 drop added to toothbrush helps to fight sweet tooth cravings and strengthen gums. 4) It helps with low milk supply.
Food-grade oregano essential oil
Oregano is truly a female plant. Taking oregano oil helps to normalize the menstrual cycle, to restore blood circulation in the small pelvis and in the uterus. Oregano essential oil, as well as evening primrose oil, is recommended during menopause. It can help to cope with mood swings, increased sweating, hot flashes and other symptoms of the hormonal “explosion”.
Zongle USDA Certified Organic Oregano Essential Oil
This food-grade essential oil of oregano from Zongle is produced ethically and bottled in the USA. Oregano essential oil is a rich source of defense against viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. It is labeled as “safe for ingestion”. Tested for microbes, heavy metals, and herbicides.
QUALITY: GMO-free, preservative-free, Artificial-Ingredients-Free, Paraben-Free, Pesticide-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Edible.
CONSUMER REVIEWS: 1) Works really good for colds and sore throat. 2) Perfect to be used in salad dressing. 3) Great for baking and lemon-flavored desserts. 4) Works perfectly in a moisturizing mixture for nails and cuticles.
Where to buy the best food-grade essential oils?
You can buy food grade essential oils from any place where essential oils are sold, as well as major stores and online.
Amazon has a really good selection of food-grade essential oils. Check out Amazon for
Food-grade essential grapefruit oil – Voov Grapefruit Essential Oil
Food-grade essential clove leaf oil – SVA Organics Natural clove essential oil
Disclaimer: The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice; the content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
