Where to Buy Essential Oils, 7 Tips

1. Don't Buy From a Stand

Don't buy from stands or booths where you can't follow-up later. Avoid fairs as you may not being dealing with an established vendor. Sorry, farmer's markets also aren't a good choice. These places offer no quality control or customer service after your purchase. The risk isn't worth it since there are so many great alternatives that will give you a better experience and save you money.

2. Purchase From Established Companies

Beware of buying from new stores, new online companies, or traveling sales reps. None of these people will be around to help you when you need it. You may need a return if you don't like what you purchased. You may need an experienced employee, like the manager of a good store, for help. You can avoid this trap by shopping at established companies. Most health food stores or specialty stores will carry some, put perhaps not all the products you need. Amazon carries a large variety at a very reasonable prices. You will also have a hard time finding a lower price.

3. Demand excellent Customer Service

If you can't talk to the company and they can't explain how to properly use their product, watch out. Don't be tricked by clever deliveries or fancy displays - judge the company by their customer service - how they treat you. If there isn't good customer service watch out, that is an important sign. Don't go with companies that try to buy the cheapest essential oil and cut their staff. These places are least likely to have good products and customer service. You probably won't be happy with your experience there so beware.

4. Demand Samples Or Small Sizes First

You can tell a potent essential oil once you use it. It should evaporate on paper if it is pure without leaving a mark. It is extremely potent (you need to dilute to use an essential oil). If the company you are shopping at doesn't sell samples think twice before you buy. Some companies sell small amounts or sell samples. this is fine since these companies get lots of requests for samples and need to pay for the samples.

5. It Needs To Be In Small, Dark Glass Bottles

It is so potent, it can break down plastics so don't buy essential oil that has a plastic dropper or is in a plastic container. Also, light can degrade essential oils so only buy it in small, glass, colored bottles. Bonus: store yours in a cool dry dark place to avoid sun exposure for best results.

6. Look Locally

It is great when you can help shops near by that meet all the requirements previously discussed. The other benefit to buying essential oils locally is that you can test them before buy as well as look at them first hand. Make sure the bottle is darker glass and make sure there is no dust on the bottle you want newer essential oils.

7. Reputable Online Options

This is hard, especially if you are going to buy for the first time. You can't really talk to an online store so how can you judge their staff or their customer service? Online is the easiest way to buy, but it has some challenges. I'd recommend you stick with Amazon since they have the best customer service. You want to be able to talk to a person when you have a problem or question, right?

Bonus: 10 Essential Oils For Sleep

    Lavender
    Vetiver
    Valerian
    Patchouli
    Clary Sage
    Sandalwood
    Roman Chamomile
    Marjoram
    Neroli
    Cedarwood

You can add a drop of oil to your pillow before bed, use a special sprayer to spray a moisturizer oils and essential combo, or you can put the moisturizer oil on your hand followed by the essential oil and massage it in.

What You Need to Know About Essential Oils

A common ingredient in natural products, essential oils are used commonly through inhalation or by topical application of diluted oil. Because these oils are so readily available to the public, many people incorrectly assume that no particular knowledge or training is needed to use them. Unfortunately, there are many who make this mistake. Some have read a little about aromatherapy, or a friend or supplier has told them a particular oil is good for this or that. But essential oils can cause problems if used incorrectly. How much do you really know about these powerful botanicals?

Some have read a little about aromatherapy, or a friend or supplier has told them a particular oil is good for this or that. But essential oils can cause problems if used incorrectly. How much do you really know about these powerful botanicals?

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids extracted from plant material-bark, berries, flowers, leaves, roots, seeds, or twigs-that are produced in several different ways.

The most common is steam distillation, in which pressurized steam is passed through plant material, causing oils to evaporate out. The resulting mixture of oil and steam is condensed back into a liquid, and the oil is skimmed off.

Plants that are too fragile for steam distillation, such as jasmine, orange blossom, and rose, can have their oils extracted using solvents. Oils created by this process are called absolutes and are generally used in perfumes or diffusers because the solvent residue makes most of them unsuitable for topical use.

A third method is carbon dioxide extraction. While these oils are technically absolutes, the pressurized carbon dioxide used as a solvent leaves no harmful residue and also creates a thicker oil with a more rounded aroma.

Finally, cold-pressed essential oils are those that have been extracted from fruit rind by grinding and pressing it.

Most essential oils do not have an indefinite shelf life: citrus oils will lose their efficacy after about six months, while most floral oils will last a year or maybe two. A few-cedarwood, patchouli, sandalwood, and vetiver-become better with age. You can refrigerate oils that you do not use often. It is also a good idea to store them away from sunlight, in small bottles with less air space.

Know What You're Getting

The method of production is just one factor affecting the quality and price of these botanical extracts. Others include the rarity of the plant, how and where it was grown, how many plants are needed to produce the oil, and the quality standards of the manufacturer.

Genuine rose oil, for example, is extremely expensive. This is simply because it takes 200 pounds of roses (approximately 60,000 flowers) to make 1 ounce of rose oil. That equals 30 roses for a single drop! If you are paying less than $80 for a 5-milliliter bottle of rose oil, it is either synthetic or it has been diluted with a carrier oil such as jojoba. Purchasing diluted oil is perfectly acceptable as long as you know what you are getting. Reputable suppliers will be up front about whether their products are sold already diluted. Less reputable suppliers may be selling an adulterated blend (for example, a small amount of rose oil mixed with cheaper rose geranium oil) and claiming it is 100 percent rose oil.

It's also important to know that different varieties of the same plant can have different uses. For example, high-altitude French lavender is most often used in skin care products, while Bulgarian or English lavender is used in bath products, diffusers, or as a sleep aid. The variety called spike lavender is higher in camphor, which brings respiratory benefits. Lavandin is a hybrid of English lavender and spike lavender, and "40/42" is a blend of several varieties that is stretched with synthetic lavender oil and used by many soapmakers.

Even the same plant can produce widely different oils. Many years ago, I purchased a brand of ginger oil which I found very disappointing. It didn't really smell like ginger. It wasn't until a few years later, when I had learned more about essential oils, that I realized I had purchased an oil made from dried ginger root instead of fresh. What a difference!

I strongly recommend purchasing essential oils only from reputable distributors that specialize in aromatherapy supplies. Unfortunately, there are companies out there that rely more on outlandish claims than on the quality of their products and others that sell synthetic fragrance under the guise of essential oil. Here are a few red flags to watch for when choosing a product.

Grading Guile

Although essential oils do have therapeutic value, there are no regulatory standards for their production and no official grades of oil are assigned or recognized by any organization. Manufacturers and distributors who claim their oils are "therapeutic grade" are using this as a marketing term only, and it is meaningless as an indicator of the oil's quality.

Synthetic Substitution

Although we use aromatherapy to mean the therapeutic use of essential oils, the word is not formally defined or regulated by the US government. As a result, it is legal to sell products labeled "aromatherapy" that do not contain essential oils, but only synthetic fragrance.

Synthetic fragrance may be described on a label as "aroma oil," "aromatic oil," "fragrance oil," or "perfume oil." These are all blended synthetic aromas that are diluted with mineral oil, propylene glycol, or vegetable oil and may also contain phthalates and other potentially toxic ingredients. Synthetics are much cheaper than essential oils, and their scent is much stronger. When you walk past a candle store and can smell the candles from outside, that is synthetic fragrance. There are a number of plants that cannot be used to produce essential oils: some examples are gardenia, lilac, and lily of the valley. So-called essential oils marketed under these names are always synthetic.

Nutrient Nonsense

Some distributors make the claim that their essential oils deliver nutrients to the body. This is one thing these oils simply cannot do. Robert Tisserand, one of the most respected aromatherapists and author of The Art of Aromatherapy (Healing Arts Press, 1978), the first English-language book on the topic, says, "What nutrients? Essential oils do not contain nutrients. They contain no vitamins, minerals, proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, or any other type of nutrient." Claims that these oils can cure disease-even cancer-are also unsubstantiated by science, and you should be wary of any distributors willing to make such claims about their products.

If you intend to use essential oils, it is vitally important to think of them like any other healing tool: get proper training in their use, thoroughly research contraindications and interactions.. Like anything else that can be applied to the body, essential oils can potentially cause harm. Remember, "natural" does not automatically mean a product is gentle or safe. And they should never ever be taken internally unless you are under the care of a certified medical aromatherapist and that is not a license issued in the United States.

There are oils that must not be used on a person with high blood pressure and oils that interact with certain medications. Cypress and rosemary can be dangerous if a woman is pregnant or nursing. And some essential oils, such as wintergreen, can even be lethal if ingested.

One of the most common and dangerous misconceptions is that essential oils can be used neat (undiluted and applied directly to the skin) in skin care. I cannot emphasize enough that this is strongly discouraged by leading aromatherapists and all reputable manufacturers and distributors. No essential oil should ever be applied neat in skin care-not tea tree, not lavender, not any other kind of essential oil.

When these oils are applied neat, some people will have an immediate or delayed reaction, which can range from burning, irritation, or swelling to very major and serious health consequences. Other people will be unaffected-at first. Since the oil seems safe, they continue to use it. Over time, this causes the skin to become sensitized to that essential oil and the plant it comes from, with a longer-term, cumulative effect. When that happens, not only will the client be unable to use that oil again, they may not be able to use other products or foods that are related to it.

Correct use of essential oils for topical application always requires dilution, usually at a strength of 6-15 drops of essential oil per ounce of whatever product it is being added to.

Citrus oils are good examples of how a wonderful oil can be harmful if used incorrectly. These oils have antiseptic properties and blend well with other products, but many citrus oils cause photosensitivity, and clients should avoid direct sunlight for 12-72 hours after exposure. In addition, because citrus essential oils are created with the cold-pressed method, there will be traces of pesticide in the oil unless you are careful to buy organic. And finally, whether citrus oil is organic or not, it can be irritating to the skin. For this reason, it's best to add citrus oils only to products that will be washed off, such as cleansers, not to a moisturizer or any other product intended to remain on the skin.

With the right knowledge and precautions, you can safely use essential oils. Take classes, pick up some books that discuss each oil and its properties, and spend time researching the benefits and contraindications of the plants involved. You will soon be enjoying the sweet smell of successful aromatherapy.

Production Technology of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.

Common name : Safflower
Botanical name : Carthamus tinctorius Linn.
Family : Asteraceae
Transliteration : Gur-gum

Description
Erect annual thistle like herb, stem white and strong, up to 1.5 m tall, branched towards the apex. Leaves spiny, oblong or ovate-lanceolate, glabrous and alternate, spinose-toothed with the upper leaves clasping the stem. Flowers are borne on heads or capitula arising from the top of branches (1-5 heads/plant), with yellow, orange, red or white corollas surrounded by clusters of leafy spiny bracts. Fruits or seeds (achenes) are white, 6-7 mm long, shiny and almost four-sided in shape.

Uses
Petals
Used as diuretic, an aid to digestion, weight loss, to calm nerves and sooth hysteria; supports the heart and liver; helps promote circulation, dissolves clots, and induce menstruation; used to treat post child birth pains, stiffness and pain in joints and internal bleeding. Can be taken hot to produce strong perspiration as a remedy for cold. Petals are one of the chief ingredients used in the formulation of Tsheringma Herbal Tea produced by Institute for Traditional Medicine Services (ITMS). It is also used a substitute for real saffron (Crocus sativus = drezang).

Seeds/oils
Seed is eaten roasted or fried and used for chutney preparations. Oil extracted from the seed is highly nutritious due to its low cholesterol content. Oil contains higher percentage of essential unsaturated fatty acids than other vegetable oils.

Other uses
Tender shoots can be taken as salad. Meal or seedcake is very nutritious feed for livestock.

Germplasm
Origins: (a) Ethiopia and Afghanistan; (b) India and Myanmar
Many cultivars differing in flower colour, degree of spininess, head size, oil content, resistance to diseases.

Climate and soil
Safflower is grown as summer crop in areas of medium altitude as winter crop in low altitudes; is adapted to dry land or irrigated cropping system. Not suitable in areas with rainfall above 1000 mm. Light, well drained soils with a pH of about 7 is found to be best. Crop is susceptible to increased humidity or prolonged waterlogged conditions, particularly during the flowering season. Dry conditions are favourable for flower development. Thrives well as a winter crop in the South (Tsirang) and as a summer crop in Western Bhutan (Paro/Thimphu).

Sowing and Planting
Sowing time
Field is prepared by ploughing once or twice until fine texture is achieved. Raise beds at 1 m width keeping the lengths as permitted by the field. Irrigate the field prior to sowing if it is dry.
Sowing is carried out in the months of April-may and September -October in the areas of medium altitude and low altitude respectively. Sowing time should be adjusted to avoid rainfall during blooming stage. Presoaking of seed for 24 hours is suggested to ensure good germination. Seed rate varies from 17-20 kg/ha.
Sowing Distances:
• Row to row: 20 cm = 5 furrows/bed
• Plant to plant: 10 cm
• Depth: 2.5 cm
Manures and fertilizer: Apply Farm yard manure when plants start to form buds to increase flower production. Add 10 tons of FYM.
Cultural practices
Safflower is very sensitive to weed competition during its rosette stage; therefore keep plants weed free during this critical phase( weeding at least twice after germination and after 4-leaves stage). An important operation clipping to induce flowering is carried out after two months of plant development.

Harvesting petals
Petal harvest begins 5 months from sowing. Petals are cleanly nipped with the help of scissors at their clump three days after bloom. We recommend to repeat petal harvest after 2 to 3 days.
Harvest preferred during morning hours to attain max. Ingredients and colour. Spread petals on a clean tarpaulin and dry under shade. Pack in air tight moisture free containers.

Yield

Highest yield of 120 kg/acre shown in 3rd week of March as shown in graph.

Harvesting seeds
Uproot ripened plants after approx. 6 months when stems & leaves appear yellowish/brown. Heap in the filed for few days until thoroughly dry. Manual threshing & winnowing recommended to obtain clean seed.

Pests and diseases
Alternaria sp.: rotting of roots in connection with water logging
o Seed selection (select healthy seeds)
o Rogue out infected plants
o Avoid water logging

Yield and income
Petals up to 124 kg/acre (summer crop)
Seed: 680 kg/acre (winter crop)

2.
Common name : Caraway
Botanical name : Carum carvi L.
Family : Umbelliferae
Transliteration : - 'goned'

Description
Caraway is an erect herb with thick tuberous rootstocks, growing up to 80 cm in height with narrow grooved leafy stems. It is a biennial crop. During the first year a rosette of dark green, finely cut, feathery leaves is formed and only in the second year the flowering and fruiting takes place. Flowers produced on umbels, flowers in late spring.

Parts used: fruits

Uses
Used fro flavouring children's medicine, meats and confectionery products; as an antidote to flatulence and aid to digestion; helps in respiratory, eye & urinary problems, also used in mouthwash and gargle preparations as well as in perfumery industry; locally used as condiments and spices. Caraway oil is rubbed on skin ti improve complexion. Caraway 'goned' seed (fructus carvi) is an important ingredient of the Bhutanese Traditional Medicine as well as an important spice in Europe, the US and Australia. Six formulations of the ITMS, eg: Bi-ma-la, Agar-35, Tsa-kar-juk-pa etc.

Habitat: Moderate temperate to alpine climate. Frequent near human settlements, rough grazeland; 2000-4150 masl.

Location: Ha, Thimphu, Paro regions, Upper Moc hu and Kulong Chu regions.

Domesticated/wild: semi domesticated

Recommended areas of cultivation: Ha, Bumthang, Lingshi and Paro.

Distribution
Caraway (Carum carvi) is widely distributed in the temperate regions of North and Middle Europe, Asia and Africa. It is found in wild in north Himalayan region. It is cultivated almost throughout the northern and central Europe, mainly Holland and central Asia. In India it is cultivated as a winter crop in the plains and as summer crops in hills of Kashmir and Kumaon, garhwal and Uttranchal.
Wild or semi-cultivated caraway found in Bhutan around settlements of Soe and Lingshi at altitudes between 2400 to 4000 masl.

Climate
The crop requires a dry temperate climate and thrives well in wet tilled soils rich in humus at an elevation of 3000-4000 m. The crop grows as an annual one in plains and as a perennial in the hills. Caraway is grown as a summer crop at places 2000-4000 m masl. High temperature are not required in the consequent phases of development; a daily mean temperature of 16-20 oC is advantageous at the time of flowering and seed setting. It is sensitive to the availability of sunshine especially in the first year.

Soil
Caraway grows well on a variety of soils. Sandy loam soils rich in organic matter are preferred. The highest yield can be obtained when cultivated in deep, humid ( although without ground water) medium soils. Dry sandy soils, areas where water accumulates and arid soils are not suitable for the cultivation of caraway.

Cultivation
Plants are raised either from seeds. Plough twice & remove weeds carefully. Apply sufficient manure (up to 15 tons of FYM/acre) and prepare a fine surface for sowing. Seeds are sown directly in the field either by broadcasting or sown on lines 2-3 cm deep, 20-30 cm apart @ 1.3 kg/acre during months of March and April. After germination when the plantlets are about 5-6 cm tall and have 6-7 leaves, thin out the seedlings to a spacing of 30-40 cm. Weed regularly and irrigate every two weeks in dry months. The plants over winter and re-emerge next spring (second year). When plants are about 10 cm tall (April) apply well matured compost or FYM as a side dressing after a round of weeding.

Harvest & Post-harvest Operations
Harvesting is done by cutting below the lowest branch or pulling up the plant. Avoid abrupt shaking to prevent seed shattering. Harvest during early hours of the day. In subtropical areas where the crop is planted in autumn, it is ready for harvesting in March -April, whereas in temperate areas the plant flowers only after winter is over. It matures in the next year in July after 15 months. The crop is harvested when the oldest seed has turned brown.
Dry in bundles in shade on clean plastic sheet/tarpaulin/cloth. Shake or thresh plant to remove the seeds.

Storage
Normally it is stord in dark and cool place in aluminium containers.

Value addition
High value carvone can be produced using fractional column.

Yield: 160 - 400 kg/acre
Market outlets: ITMS, Spices Manufacturers in Europe.

3.
Common Name: Kuth/Costus
Botanical Name: Saussurea lappa Clarke

Family: Asteraceae
Transliteration: Ru-ta

Parts used: Root
Description: Perennial herb, 4-5 ft tall, robust stem (annual), basal leaves pinnate, lobed terminally, up to 40 cm long; stem leaves 30 cm long, entire or irregularly toothed
Roots have a pungent taste along with a characteristic fragrant aromatic odour. Flowers purple (July - Aug).

Medicinal Uses: Used as tonic; used against asthma, Cough, cholera, bronchitis; It has aphrodisiac and anthelmintic properties, used as insecticide and pesticide; roots are highly aromatic are used in incense making. Saussurea lappa oil is banned in the EU for use as fragranc;:e due to cutaneous toxicities.

Habitat: Woodland, moist open slopes, and shady places and edges; 2000-3300 masl.
Domesticated/Wild: Domesticated.
Recommended areas of cultivation: Bumthang, Ha, Paro, T /phu.
Recommended production technologies:
Propagated through root segments and seed.
Soil and Climate: Well drained sandy to loamy soil of great depth is considered best since the plant develops long and thick roots. It requires a cool and humid climate.
Field Preparation
Prepare field by ploughing twice & crushing clods into fine texture, add sufficient FYM prior to sowing, irrigate the field before sowing if it is dry,
Nursery Preparation
Start Nursery in well-prepared fields in March-April. Apply sufficient FYM before sowing.Sow seeds at 2-3 cm depth (2 seeds/hole) at a row spacing of 30 cm x 30 cm. Seed rate: 1.5 Kg/Acre.

Field Planting
Transplant when the plantlets are sufficiently developed (2-3 leaved stage) into well-manured raised beds of 1.5 m breadth and lengths as permitted by the field/area.
Keep a plant spacing of 50 x 50 cm to permit optimum leaf development. Transplanting is recommended in the months of June - July.
In the absence of rainwater for 3-5 days after transplanting.

Cultural operations
Weed at least twice after transplanting and once after 4-leaved stage to keep the plants weed free. The plant dries up at the end of the first year growing season (4-5 leave stage during fall).Earth up & fertilize with FYM/leaf compost during the following spring when the plant starts sprouting. Provide mild irrigation.

Harvest & Pot harvest technology
Harvest & Post Harvest
The crops come into fruiting within two -three years depending on the climatic conditions. Harvest the roots in Oct- Nov of the second growing season. Dig out roots, wash thoroughly, chop to 1 to 2 cm slices, dry in shade on a tarpaulin or mat.

Yield & Market Status
Average yield: 300 Kg dried and ~ 650 - 780 Kg fresh roots/acre.More than 100 farmers cultivating in 8 districts are cultivating Ruta. It has both external & internal market opportunities, organic production can add value
Essential oil extraction can add value-Nu 30,000 per liter of oil, minimal or no pest & disease attack, production cost is economical in terms of return. However, scenario is surplus production for Bhutan's demand and less volume of production for export. Farmers are conditioned to the high prices offered by the ITMS vis-à-vis prevailing international market rates. Oil banned in Europe owing to its allergy inducing properties. It is one of the threatened and CITES protected species.

4.
Common Name: Tibetan Dragons Head
Botanical Name: Dracocephalum tanguiticum Maxim
Family: Lamiaceae
Transliteration: Ti-yang-ku

Description: Perennial herb, 30-60cm tall. Stem quadrangular, dark green with dark red tinge and sparsely covered with smooth white hairs. Leaves opposite, pinnatified, elliptic-ovate, 2-4cm, glabrous. Flowers in terminal spikes, floral whorls 2-6 flowered, corolla 20- 27mm long, pubescent. May-July/ Purple.

Parts used: Whole plant (aerial parts).
Medicinal Uses: Used for stomach ache, liver and lung ailments; improves the blood, heals wounds and dries up watery pus.
Habitat: Stony slopes of mountain streams, pebbles, and sometimes on sandy mountain slopes; in wheat fields, alongside trails as well as gardens in Tibet & the Himalayan regions; 3000-4200 masl. Tiyanku is NOT found in Bhutan in wild.
Location: Introduced
Domesticated/Wild: Domesticated.
Recommended areas of cultivation: Successfully cultivated in Soe and Lingsh.

Recommended production technologies: Propagated through seed and cuttings.

Soil and Climate: Best in Well-drained moisture retaining soil.
Nursery raising
Nursery preparation in early spring (March/April), seeds are sown at 0.5 cm deep rows.
Germination after 30 to 40 days.
Seed rate: 200 to 300 g/acre.

Transplanting
When plants are about 7 cm tall, transplant into well-prepared field.
Row to row distance: 30 cm
Plant to plant distance: 15 cm

Vegetative Propagation
Propagation through stem cuttings is best during April-May.
Recommended length of the cutting is 5-6 cm with at least two nods.
Rooting of stem cuttings in individual pots under light shade. Once fully rooted plantlets are transplanted at a distance of 20 x 20 cm.

2nd Year and onwards
Being perennial, plants will sprout in April of the following year. Cut dried stems from previous year, earth up and apply sufficient FYM at the base followed by irrigation.
Plants will flower from May onwards.

Harvest and postharvest technology
Harvesting time differs according to altitude & climate. Aerial parts are harvested in June/July when 50% of plants are in bloom. Early morning harvest is preferred to preserve maximum constituents. Plants are either spread on a tarpaulin and dried under shade or hung in bundles and dried under the roof. The crop can be harvested over 3 to 5 years if well maintained.

Natural Essential Oils Or Synthetic Ones - What Is Better?

Aroma oils are used not only for inhalations. They are also added into a great number of cosmetics. Essential oil contains ingredients that influence some chemical processes of our body and it leads to certain changes in the work of our organs and systems. Aroma oil that is used for the massage is easily absorbed by the skin and affects the whole body including endocrine system. They can also be taken in by adding them into herbal tea. Different types of oils cause different effect on people. That is why in order to achieve the maximum effect, special selection is needed.

It is important to remember that only diluted essential oils can be applied on skin. Lavender oil and tea tree oil are the only ones that can be used in a concentrated form. In treatment only natural essential oils can be used. Synthetic products may have the same odor but they are not healthy for the organism. They can only be used for the aromatization of rooms. Such synthetic oils can't be taken in because they can cause allergy or irritation.

How to distinguish natural essential oils from synthetic ones?

100% guarantees that the essential oil you have bought is natural can show only chromatographic research that is not available for the ordinary consumer.

How to distinguish synthetic volatile oil from a natural one at home?

    The first factor is the price. It is not a secret that natural volatile oils are very expensive. For example, when buying a large bottle marked "100% essential oil" for a low price, you can be sure that it is a fake.
    Essential oils, in comparison with vegetable and mineral ones don't leave oily stains on the paper.
    If you are sensitive to odors you can determine the quality of the oil very precisely by application of one drop on your wrist or on the cloth. Natural volatile oils have many components which have different volatility. That is why in an hour or in a half of an hour the odor will be different. The odor of the synthetic oil will remain the same, getting weaker with time.
    Storage period of natural essential oils is very short, because they lose their properties very fast. They can evaporate very fast if the bottle is not carefully closed.
    Natural essential oils are packed solely in glass bottles with 50% blackout and special closure.
    If you found peach, strawberry or lilac oils be sure that it is a fake because essential oils can't be obtained out of these plants. All the fruit aromas are synthetic fragrances. Lotus oil is also a fake. Everybody knows that this plant is included into the red book. Its industrial plantations don't exist so it can't be sold in the market.
    Natural ethers can't have the similar price, because the raw material is different, from mint to plants from red book. This raw material can be obtained in a several different ways. One can be taken from industrial plantations and the other is collected in secluded areas of wild nature. The processing differs a lot too. That is why the price of different natural essential oils varies in tens or hundreds of times.
    You should also consider the information that is given on the package. If it says that it is "only for external use" or it is "100% pure aroma oil" then you can be sure that it is synthetic one.

Essential oils are widely used in handmade cosmetics. The amount of drops used in it should be minimal. You will have to turn on your smelling because some flavors have pleasant but at the same time sharp odor, which should be diluted with other fragrances.

There are also some debates about the question whether it is possible to add volatile oil and flavor enhancer in one product. There were no special researches but the experience shows that they can be added in minimal amount for the creation of unique flavor.

Essential Oils - Making Your Own Perfume

Putting a perfume together can be compared to composing music. The perfume "notes" must be in harmony with each other. Essential oils are classifies as Top, Middle and Base notes, and a good perfume must have a balance of all three. Base notes are the deep and lingering notes. They often hang around long after the other notes have evaporated. They are also used to fix a blend. The middle notes are the heart of the perfume; they provide a balance between the top and the bottom. They are said to round the perfume off. The top notes are light and uplifting. They are the ones that hit you first, but if they are not properly balanced with the middle and the base they will vanish quickly.

What to use when building your own perfume. Start with the base and gently add the other notes, little by little, shaking and testing as you go. The oils that can be used as the top notes are orange, peppermint, grapefruit, lemon and eucalyptus. Oils that can be used Top to Middle are lavender, petitgrain, cardamom and bergamot. For the middle there are a few that can be used, namely neroli, geranium, black pepper, clary sage, juniper, ginger, pine rosemary, rose absolute and ylang ylang. The middle to base oils are cypress, jasmine, rose otto, myrrh and sandlewood and last but not lease the base oils, frankincense, benzoin, patchouli and vetiver.

Choosing a perfume is an individual preference. Making your own is loads of fun and you can have one to suit every occasion. It does not matter if the blend is masculine or feminine as the perfumes of nature are constantly changing. A feminine perfume comprises of 1 drop neroli, 2 drops rose absolute, 4 drops of lavender and of palmarosa, 4 drops orange or bergamot and 1 or 2 drops patchouli. Dilute in 30 ml (2 tablespoons) of jojoba or coconut oil. This blend is to give you an example of what is possible. Use your imagination, mix and match and you will be surprised to find some new fragrances.

It is amazing to watch as oils are extracted from the plants themselves. Luckily you don't have to do that part yourself and the oils are readily available to use in your perfumes. What makes perfume making special is that every natural scent is a moment of creation. Have fun, mix and match and be amazed.

The Moontime Blend - A Guide to Creating Essential Oil Blends for PMS

When looking for a remedy for life's little aches and pains, one often goes to the pharmacy section of their local grocery store and picks up a bottle of the most popular painkiller. Midol, Aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, Excedrin, all of them claim to be formulated to be excellent for taking care of everything from headaches, backaches, even PMS pains. However there are many people who feel that these options simply aren't for them, whether out of concern about Big Pharma's practices, or simply feeling that there must be better, more natural options for dealing with everyday aches and pains.

Essential oil blends are often a popular go to for those who choose to avoid over-the-counter medicines, and want to be able to mix a cure that is customized to their particular problem. In this how-to we're going to present you with a few blends that can be used to help deal with the full spectrum of symptoms that come with a woman's monthly visitor.

Base Oils

The first thing to take into consideration is a base oil for your solution, which is simply the oil that you use to carry the essential oils you'll be applying topically. Grape-seed oil is a favorite due to its lightness, and the tendency to soak in quickly preventing an oily residue. Any kind of natural plant oil will work though, even Olive Oil, which appears in just about everyone's kitchen cupboard. Because of its easy availability, our suggested blends are going to use it as a base. Don't be afraid to experiment to determine what's best for you!

Analgesic Oils

The first selection of essential oil is going to come from those that are known to be good analgesics. Analgesics can be thought of as a sort of pain-killer, merely numbing the pain of the region without providing that 'dead nerve' sensation you may get from something like lidocaine. Essential oils typically have more than one thing they're good at, while being well known for a particular effect. Those oils well known for having an analgesic effect are Tea Tree Oil, Sweet Birch, Eucalyptus, Chamomile (both Roman and German), Thyme, Peppermint, and Lavender are good just to name a few. For our blend we'll be using Sweet Birch Oil.

Anti-Spasmodics

Anti-spasmodics basically do exactly what they say on the tin, they stop muscle spasms. While you may not think of your cramps as being 'spasms', they happen to fall under the scope of the things that our blend will be able to ease, if not stop them outright. There are many that include this effect, including Cypress, Marjoram, Helichrysum, lavender, Rosemary, and Wintergreen. For our blend we're going to use Cypress.

Synergistic Effects

A little known benefit of all medications is that known as a synergistic effect. This means that if you are getting the same effect from two different sources, you're going to see an enhanced effect from them working together. The neat thing about synergistic effects is that two different sources of an effect in equal measure are more effective than twice the amount of either of them. You may have noticed that some of the oils listed in the above two categories fall into both of them. We're going to add a third oil to this blend as well, that being Lavender. Lavender also has mood balancing effects which can only be beneficial while experiencing PMS.

How to mix the oil

You're going to want to get yourself an opaque storage container of some kind, preferably glass due to its non-reactive properties. In this container you're going to place one ounce of olive oil to start with. When you measure essential oils, you'll find they're typically measured in drops when listing out a recipe. A drop is literally just that, if you open the bottle you'll find a plastic stopper in the vial, this stopper is designed to allow oil to escape one drop at a time. Do be careful, different oils will flow at different rates, and warm oils always flow faster than cool oils.

Add to the olive oil 40 drops of Sweet Birch, 20 drops of Rosemary, and 20 drops of Lavender, and stir with a non-metallic utensil. After that it's merely a matter of applying the mixture to your abdomen or back. This mixture is actually quite good for dealing with muscle spasms of any kind, and aches and pains in general. How much to use at a time is very much to personal taste, but be aware that in this concentration it's quite a potent mix, so start small, and keep adding every 10-20 minutes until you get the desired effect.

Calm Your Nerves and Relax Your Senses With Aromatherapy

Today's competitive environment sees people facing extreme stress and stoicism in their lives and at their workplaces. As a result, a lot of individuals suffer from intense duress, jittery nerves and even depression. Fortunately, aromatherapy a solution that uses natural essential oils to calm your nerves and relax your senses so that you can get back to your lives rejuvenated and refreshed.

Therapeutic properties of different oils

Aromatherapy uses different types of natural essential oils for various kind of treatment owing to the varied therapeutic properties they possess. One of the most commonly applied varieties is Rose Rock, which is created from the petals of Rosa damascena and Rosa centifolia that are later steam-distilled. It benefits users with anti phlogistic elements that are anti-septic as well. Lemongrass is excellent for people who suffer from stress as it is quite uplifting and fundamentally calms their nerves. Moreover, it enhances one's mood effectively relaxing them so that they have a sense of profound relief after their relaxing session.

Some prefer sage oil as it boosts their short-term memory. It is quite pleasant and is consumed as a dietary supplement by many to aid their memory retention. Whereas, Lavender Maillette is a popular mildly relaxing lotion as it suits people across many ages. Chamomile and Peppermint are renowned for their anti-anxiety properties. People often use them as an anti-depressant that makes them feel much more pleasant and calm after use.

Three popular forms of aromatherapy

The main element in this process is the use of organic essential oils like Tea Tree or Rosemary to alter a person's frame of mind. It is used so that it has a positive effect on his/her mood and benefits cognitive function and health. They are used for the therapeutic potential they possess and can be applied in a number of ways.

• Aerial diffusion

Sometimes environmental fragrancing can be an excellent way to relax and rejuvenate stressed individuals. It can aid in aerial disinfection as well, and leads to detoxifying the air you breathe in.

• Direct inhalation

Natural essential oils can really affect your respiratory system in a positive way and disinfect it. It helps with decongestion and expectoration as well which makes it quite popular among patients who suffer from respiratory issues.

• Topical application

One of the most popular ways these oils are used is for long massages. They are also put into bath water and applied as a compress for therapeutic skin care.

People who wish to stay happy and fulfilled while taking the world head on, indulge in the application of organic essential oils as a way to refresh themselves. They are sure to come out on top after relieving themselves of their strain with the healing powers of these exquisite oils.