Guide to Essential Oils and Sustainability

Conservation and Sustainability of Essential Oil Bearing Plants

To produce even a little amount of essential oil, a significant amount of botanical material is required. The yield for essential oils is very low, and the surge in consumer demand is putting a strain on the sustainability of many botanicals that are used for their production.

We cannot assume that the essential oils that we have easy and reasonably affordable access to today will be available to us indefinitely if we do not each play our part in responsible usage, conservation and sustainability efforts.

When we talk about essential oil sustainability, what we're really talking about is the sustainability and conservation of the plants that are used in the production of essential oils. The term used for such plants is essential oil bearing plants.

As users and practitioners that work with essential oils, there are steps that we each can take to do our part to ensure that we are not contributing to the endangerment of essential oil bearing plants:

Whenever possible, strive to purchase only from reputable suppliers that describe their conservation and sustainability efforts, particularly for essential oils produced from threatened, at-risk or endangered species. And of course, there is a greater risk of adulteration for essential oils produced from botanicals that are threatened, vulnerable or endangered.
Less is more. When using essential oils, it is best to use only as much essential oil as you need to achieve the benefit that you are after. Don't use 10 drops when a single drop will do. This applies for all essential oils, not just those that are known to be threatened.
For essential oils that are produced from endangered species, strive to use an alternative oil in its place whenever possible.
Familiarize yourself with the shelf life of essential oils and purchase only the amount of an essential oil that you expect to use within its suggested shelf life. A sale may be wonderful and may tempt you to purchase a larger quantity of an essential oil, but it's wasteful if the oil isn't used before its therapeutic value diminishes.
Essential oils oxidize over time. Generally speaking, oxidation can negatively impact the therapeutic benefits of essential oils. Storing essential oils improperly can accelerate oxidation. Although it's not directly related to sustainability, be sure to store your essential oils properly.

The Conservation Status of Essential Oil Bearing Plants

Some plants are at greater risk of endangerment and extinction than others. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) maintains a helpful searchable database known as the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Not all essential oil bearing botanicals are included, but more species are gradually added to their database.

The IUCN describes their database as follows: "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(TM) is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species. It uses a set of criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of species and subspecies. These criteria are relevant to all species and all regions of the world. With its strong scientific base, the IUCN Red List is recognized as the most authoritative guide to the status of biological diversity."

As you begin to use the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, you will notice that the IUCN has developed a "Categories and Criteria" classification system for identifying the risk level that particular plants are facing:

Not Evaluated
Data Deficient
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct

Each of these categories are described on the main page of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

If a botanical is not listed at all or is classed as Not Evaluated or as Data Deficient, there is a possibility that the botanical could actually be at risk.

Essential Oils Derived from Plants Listed as "Least Concern" are Considered to Be the Most Responsible to Use

As mentioned above, not all plants have been evaluated yet by the IUCN or the information is deficient.

Essential oils that are derived from botanicals designated by the IUCN as "Least Concern" are not considered to be vulnerable, threatened or endangered and thus are considered to be the most responsible oils to use from a sustainability and conservation perspective.

Essential Oil Bearing Plants Classified as Being of Least Concern by the IUCN

As time permits, I go through all of the essential oils profiled within AromaWeb's Essential Oil Profile area and look each one up via the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Below is a list of those that were specifically listed as "Least Concern" at the time that I last reviewed them.

It is possible for plants to be reclassified. I am not able to continuously update this list, so I encourage you to verify the information for yourself.

It is crucial for me to also emphasize that I have only included essential oils that specifically appear within AromaWeb's Essential Oil Profile directory. This guide and these lists are intended for use as a starting point in learning how to check and verify the status yourself.

Allspice
Pimenta dioica
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/103121329/150119410
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Ambrette Seed Absolute
Abelmoschus moschatus / Hibiscus abelmoschus
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/123707530/123802096
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Amyris
Amyris balsamifera
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/156771790/156771792
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Balsam Fir
Abies balsamea
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42272/2968717
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Bay
Pimenta racemosa
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/62783/208346431
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Bay Laurel
Laurus nobilis
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/203351/119996864
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026
Exception: It is considered Endangered in Albania and Slovenia according to pages 9 and 11 of the report Threatened, Endangered And Vulnerable Tree Species: A Comparison Between FRA 2005 And The IUCN Red List.

Benzoin
Styrax tonkinensis
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/147364203/147655260
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Bergamot Mint / Water Mint
Mentha aquatica
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/164509/63304147
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Black Spruce
Picea mariana
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42328/2972877
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Blue Spruce
Picea pungens
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42333/2973433
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Buddha Wood (Desert Rosewood)
Eremophila mitchellii
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/192234025/192234036
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Cade
Juniperus oxycedrus
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42243/2965838
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Cajeput
Melaleuca cajuputi
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/73231040/135987383
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Carrot Seed
Daucus carota
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/172210/19412090
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Cananga
Cananga odorata
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/61984545/156221485
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Catnip
Nepeta cataria
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/203251/2762586
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Clary Sage
Salvia sclarea
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/203262/2762660
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Chamomile, German
Matricaria chamomilla / Matricaria recutita
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/202985/2758411
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Chamomile, Roman
Chamaemelum nobile / Anthemis nobilis
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/202952/2758213
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Copaiba Balsam
Copaifera officinalis
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/62021820/62021823
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Cornmint
Mentha arvensis
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/64317970/67730082
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Cypress
Cupressus sempervirens
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/32518/2821211
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42429/2979531
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Eucalyptus globulus
Eucalyptus globulus
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/61912929/61912931
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Fennel
Fennel
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/203489/2766199
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Eucalyptus, Lemon
Corymbia citriodora
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/61905636/61905657
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Frankincense
Boswellia rivae
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/128044164/223074935
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Frankincense
Boswellia serrata
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/88319078/88319196
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Helichrysum
Helichrysum italicum
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/202980/2758381
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Ho Wood
Cinnamomum camphora
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15441072/15441116
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Hops
Humulus lupulus
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/202971/2758327
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Juniper
Juniperus communis
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42229/2963096
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026
Exception: It is considered Critically Endangered in Morocco and Endangered in Albania and Belgium according to pages 5, 9 and 10 of the report Threatened, Endangered And Vulnerable Tree Species: A Comparison Between FRA 2005 And The IUCN Red List.

Kaffir Lime
Citrus hystrix
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/62038171/62038226
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/203244/2762550
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Lemon-Scented Ironbark
Eucalyptus staigeriana
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/133374376/133374378
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Lemon Tea Tree
Leptospermum petersonii
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/192227122/192227124
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Linden Blossom
Tilia cordata
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/203360/68079373
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Manuka
Tilia cordata
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/161478142/161483629
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

May Chang
Litsea cubeba
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/150217538/150219934
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Melissa (Lemon Balm)
Litsea cubeba
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/203248/2762574
The scope of the IUCN assessment was limited to Europe.
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Myrtle
Myrtus communis
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/203365/119997141
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Niaouli
Melaleuca quinquenervia
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/49278407/49278461
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Ocotea (Ishpingo)
Mespilodaphne quixos / Ocotea quixos
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/192556503/192556553
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Oregano
Origanum vulgare
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/203253/2762598
The scope of the IUCN assessment was limited to Europe.
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Osmanthus (Absolute)
Osmanthus fragrans
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/147642268/147642270
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Palo Santo
Bursera graveolens
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/67836767/144249196
There is a lot of controversy over Palo Santo Essential Oil. See the clarifying comments from Dr. Kelly Ablard wthin the "Sustainability and Conservation Status" section of AromaWeb's Palo Santo Essential Oil Profile.
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Peru Balsam
Myroxylon balsamum / Myroxylon pereirae
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/62026528/62026530
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Pinyon Pine
Pinus edulis
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42360/2975133
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Ravintsara
Camphora officinarum / Cinnamomum camphora
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15441072/15441116
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Rosalina
Melaleuca ericifolia
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/177374613/177374615
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus / Rosmarinus officinalis
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/203257/2762622
The scope of the IUCN assessment was limited to Europe.
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Sage (Common/Dalmatian)
Salvia officinalis
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/203260/2762648
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Saro
Cinnamosma fragrans
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/128085823/128090662
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Scotch Pine
Pinus sylvestris
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42418/2978732
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Siberian Fir
Abies sibirica
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42299/10681312
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Silver Fir Needle
Abies alba
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42270/83978869
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Spearmint
Mentha spicata
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/164464/42395980
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Spike Lavender
Lavandula latifolia
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/203245/2762556
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/203348/2764289
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Valerian
Valeriana officinalis
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/201537/2708339
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Violet Leaf
Viola odorata
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/203495/2766319
The scope of the IUCN assessment was limited to Europe.
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Virginian Cedarwood
Juniperus virginiana
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42257/2967510
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

White Camphor
Cinnamomum camphora
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15441072/15441116
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Wintergreen
Gaultheria fragrantissima / Gaultheria procumbens
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/147635791/147635793
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Xanthoxylum
Zanthoxylum armatum
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/149660605/149822451
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/202909/78457012
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered and Critically Endangered Essential Oil Bearing Plants

As time permits, I go through all of the essential oils profiled within AromaWeb's Essential Oil Profile area and look each one up via the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Below is a list of those that were specifically listed as Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered at the time that I last reviewed them.

It is possible for plants to be reclassified. I am not able to continuously update this list, so I encourage you to verify the information for yourself.

As mentioned above, many botanicals have not been classified yet by the IUCN. Therefore, it cannot be assumed that an essential oil bearing plant is not threatened or endangered if it is not listed on IUCN. Additionally, I have only researched the essential oils that specifically appear within AromaWeb's Essential Oil Profile directory.

Near Threatened

Elemi
Canarium luzonicum
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/33352/68067675
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Eucalyptus Radiata
Eucalyptus radiata
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/133374163/133374165
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Frankincense
Boswellia sacra
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/34533/9874201
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42431/2979676
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Hinoki Cypress (Japanese Cypress)
Chamaecyparis obtusa
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42212/2962056
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Kanuka
Kunzea ericoides
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/246936255/246936287
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Muhuhu
Brachylaena hutchinsii / Brachylaena huillensis
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/33474/9786563
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Ravensara
Cryptocarya agathophylla / Ravensara aromatica
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/137583298/137900098
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Sandalwood, New Caledonian
Santalum austrocaledonicum
(New Caledonian Sandalwood Essential Oil is mentioned within AromaWeb's East Indian Sandalwood Essential Oil Profile)
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/177878/1499004
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Vulnerable

Cinnamon
Cinnamomum verum
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15441323/15441339
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Gurjum Balsam
Dipterocarpus turbinatus
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/33016/2831137
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Opoponax
Commiphora guidottii
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/35815/223073528
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Sandalwood, Australian
Santalum spicatum
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/172724199/172724334
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Sandalwood, East Indian
Santalum album
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/31852/9665066
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026
Exception: It is considered Critically Endangered in Timor Leste according to page 9 of the report Threatened, Endangered And Vulnerable Tree Species: A Comparison Between FRA 2005 And The IUCN Red List.

Sandalwood, Hawaiian
Santalum paniculatum
(Hawaiian Sandalwood Essential Oil is mentioned within AromaWeb's East Indian Sandalwood Essential Oil Profile)
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/116996583/120702770
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Endangered

Atlas Cedarwood
Cedrus atlantica
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42303/2970716
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Bay Laurel (Laurel Leaf)
Laurus nobilis
Source: It is considered Endangered in Albania and Slovenia according to pages 9 and 11 of the report Threatened, Endangered And Vulnerable Tree Species: A Comparison Between FRA 2005 And The IUCN Red List.
Bay Laurel is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN (see above section).

Coffee
Coffea arabica
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/18289789/174149937
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Guaiacwood
Plectrocarpa sarmientoi (Synonyms: Bulnesia sarmientoi / Gonopterodendron sarmientoi)
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/32028/68085692
Last Accessed On April 26, 2026

Juniper
Juniperus communis
Source: It is considered Critically Endangered in Morocco and Endangered in Albania and Belgium according to pages 5, 9 and 10 of the report Threatened, Endangered And Vulnerable Tree Species: A Comparison Between FRA 2005 And The IUCN Red List.
Juniper is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN (see above section).

Rosewood / Bois de rose
Aniba rosaeodora
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/33958/68966060
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Taiwan Cypress
Chamaecyparis formosensis
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/32333/2815341
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Vanilla
Vanilla planifolia
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/103090930/172970359
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Critically Endangered

Agarwood
Aquilaria crassna
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/32814/2824513
Last Accessed On February 14, 2026

Spikenard / Jatamansi
Nardostachys jatamansi
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/50126627/88304158
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Palo Santo
Bursera graveolens
Source: It is considered Critically Endangered in Peru according to page 17 of the report Threatened, Endangered And Vulnerable Tree Species: A Comparison Between FRA 2005 And The IUCN Red List.There is a lot of controversy over Palo Santo Essential Oil. See the clarifying comments from Dr. Kelly Ablard wthin the "Sustainability and Conservation Status" section of AromaWeb's Palo Santo Essential Oil Profile.

Sandalwood
Santalum album
Source: It is considered Critically Endangered in Timor Leste according to page 9 of the report Threatened, Endangered And Vulnerable Tree Species: A Comparison Between FRA 2005 And The IUCN Red List.
Sandalwood is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN (see above section).

Data Deficient

Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/88308170/88308174
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Hyssop
Hyssopus officinalis
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/203242/2762538
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Nutmeg
Myristica fragrans
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/33986/9820569
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Plai
Zingiber cassumunar / Zingiber purpureum
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/117467862/185749207
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Turmeric
Curcuma longa
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/88308047/88308057
Last Accessed On February 15, 2026

Sustainability of Botanicals Used to Produce CO2 Extracts, Hydrosols and Carrier Oils

Although this article focuses upon essential oils, we certainly need to be mindful of the sustainability of the botanicals used to produce all of the different essential oils, CO2 extracts, absolutes, carrier oils, hydrosols and the other beautiful botanically derived products that we use. It's impossible for me to maintain an updated list of the conservation status for every botanical that is used within the scope of holistic aromatherapy. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species should be used for that purpose, and I encourage us all to learn how to access it and use it regularly.

References and Sources

Essential Oil Bearing Plant Sustainability References and Resources

Dr. Kelly Ablard has been an invaluable resource for information regarding the conservation and sustainability of essential oil bearing plants. I wish to express my immense gratitude to her for the information that I've gathered through her Airmid Institute Website, her presentation at the 2018 NAHA Conference and for all her help as I prepared this guide.

Kelly M. Ablard, PhD, EOT, RA, Website Post: Conservation of Essential Oil-, Carrier Oil-, and Extract-Bearing Plants.
Kelly M. Ablard, PhD, EOT, RA, Presentation: Conservation Consciousness, Clinical Aromatherapy, and Connecting with Spirit. October 27, 2018, Salt Lake City, UT. National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy 2018 Conference. Conference Proceedings pages 151-161.
Website: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Website: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Website: United Plant Savers.
Monica Garzuglia, Report: Threatened, Endangered And Vulnerable Tree Species: A Comparison Between FRA 2005 And The IUCN Red List.
The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, Website Post: Resources Addressing Sustainability Issues.
Robert Tisserand, Website Post: Spikenard and Sustainability.