Wellness Tip

Welcome to the Oasis Spa’’s Wellness Tip of the Month. Check back often for Healthy Living Tips and information to help you  live a healthy life.  If you have any questions or topics that you would like to see explored here, please email me at mmilewicz@fox-hills.com.

~Melissa Milewicz, Oasis Spa Manager and Licensed & Certified Massage Therapist.

When it comes to the Wellness Industry, you can’t escape the terms “organic”, “botanical”, or “natural”. What are the differences, don’t they mean the same thing, essentially? NO! Each term has its own meaning and denotes different substances when it comes to food, supplements and products.

The only term that is regulated by a governmental agency is “organic”. To be certified organic, the grower must comply with all EPA testing; however, growers producing less than $5,000.00 annually do not have to be tested. The term itself does not mean that all of the foods or herbs which are certified are safe for consumption. For more information on the regulations regarding the “organic” label, visit the US EPA website and search “Organic Farming”. Organic generally refers to food and beauty products and simply means that it is grown without banned substances (some artificial some naturally occurring).

Botanical is a term that simply means it is a plant, or derived from a plant, that is valued for its medicinal or therapeutic properties. There is some self regulation among growers for the term botanical, however you must still be aware of and thoroughly research any supplementation you take containing botanicals. Typically you will find botanical extracts or additives in beauty products. For further information, try the website AHPA.org. Though it is a little biased toward the use of the term botanical, they do offer some education and information about botanical products.

Natural generally refers to a product that is not altered or artificial in any way. Some processed foods are labeled “natural”, but typically this term is referring to products or supplements. While there is no regulatory agency concerned with “natural products”, there is a group that offers some information. Natural Products Association (they are a “.org” on the internet), but again beware, as they are a lobbying firm, their information will be slightly biased.

You should never assume that a product is good for you or for the environment just because it is labeled with one of these terms. Always check it out for yourself, particularly if you are taking any medications, as many herbs and plants interact with medications you may be currently prescribed.