You may have heard about the healing powers of essential oils, but have you heard that the marketplace is flooded with “fakes”? Get our tips and tricks on finding great essential oils.
The quality varies greatly from one essential oil to another? The labels can be misleading, also. The marketplace is flooded with “fakes” that contain a miniscule amount of actual essential oil diluted in cheaper oil.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are aromatic liquid substances extracted from various parts of certain plants: leaves, flowers, fruits, stems, roots, trees, etc. They are highly concentrated very potent and powerful extracts and should be used with caution and knowledge.
The essential oils contain different chemical compounds — monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, monoterpenols, sesquiterpenols, aldehydes, esters, oxides, ketones, and phenols. These compounds determine their therapeutic properties.
Uses: Aromatherapy, Massage Therapy, Cooking, Cosmetics, Veterinary, Gardening
Extraction methods: The most popular way to produce essential oils are Steam distillation, Carbon Dioxide extraction or Cold Press.
How to find a good essential oil?
Don’t confuse essential oils with regular oils like olive oil. In their pure form they are not oily as regular oils (very important when buying). A few brands we trust are Stillpoint Aromatics, Apothecary Herbs, and Mountain Rose Herbs. All of these companies have extensive options for wonderful essential oils so you likely won’t need to go elsewhere. If you do find other great companies, please do comment below.
My favorite essential oils.
If you’ve read my blog on the cosmetics I started making — out of necessity to assure that quality organic ingredients only are used, you might remember some of them.
Frankincense oil was the miracle oil that saved my skin from decades of adult acne. Sea Buckthorn oil is another one that helps the skin heal. Both of them have many benefits and can be taken internally as well.
To alleviate my sinuses, eucalyptus, peppermint, and rosemary essential oils are some of my favorite ones. Cedarwood Essential Oil is great to keep bugs out of our homes and gardens — it’s an ingredient in some health-conscious outdoor pest products.
Alternative and functional medicine often includes them as part of the treatment and recovery processes.
By Milla Loza
