Knowledge is Power when it comes to choosing the best Essential Oils.
Relaxing with Aromatherapy
If you are interested in buying essential oils, make sure you take the time to read up and ask questions on the many brand offerings. There are plenty of alternatives and it’s important to find out the differences between oils before purchasing. You do usually get what you pay for in this case so being educated is a plus. Quality oils are usually more costly, but worth your efforts and the price if they produce the desired effects you are looking for.
A good way to start your education: Begin by researching the companies who sell essential oils.Generally, my favorite essential oils come from Young Living Oils. However, I have also purchased quality oils from other sellers. I like to keep my mind open and continue to investigate the various brands and quality. One of the newer companies that recently broke off from Young Living Oils has started a new business is Doterra. I have heard wonderful things about the high caliber of their oils and hope to try some soon. What I can say about Young Living Oils though is that the process they use when planting, cultivating, harvesting and distilling is of the highest standards for a therapeutic grade oil. The beneficial properties of their therapeutic oils are produced through an exacting science and years of experience. Young Living Oils specifically plans the days of planting, and uses natural methods to produce the choice compounds needed for top grade essential oils. Their value comes from using a unique method of distillation, without diluting or mixing with synthetic substances to produce a pure oil that is consistent and high in quality.
Next: Learn the differences between Hydrosols, Absolutes and Fragrance Oils. Hydrosols are fundamentally an essential oil diluted in water. Fragrance oils which are often sold as floral waters are made of synthetic compounds which may smell similar but may not be used for therapeutic purposes. Absolutes are generally much higher in concentrated oils and are extracted with solvents. For the most part, the absolutes are more costly, and the fragrance oils less. So when shopping, make sure to understand what you are buying, especially if you have a preferred purpose in mind.
Just so you know: There is a scientific basis for how the compounds found in essential oils affect the body and the environment. If you look up the Young Living Oil Company, there is a lot of information on their site regarding each single oil, blended oils, and other products. However, as a practitioner who uses oils in work and personally, I find it helpful to buy small bottles to sample. For example, if I want to clean my house with lemon which is a relatively inexpensive oil, I can try different brands to see what smells the best, makes me feel better and produces the best overall effect. I usually find myself going back to the Young Living Brand, but not all the time. Each person has a different response to each oil and I recommend seeing what works best for you. Knowledge is power!
It is also helpful to find a Massage Therapist who uses Therapeutic Essential Oils during a session.That way, in advance, if you let him/her know your current issues, a mix can be blended for you. That way you can have an experience of what oils you like and may not care for. Often, I will hold a bottle of an oils to my clients’ nose to see if they like the smell. Once applied, it takes some time for the fragrance to diminish, so its best to like what you are wearing.
There is also the well known Raindrop Therapy that Young Living Oils is known for. Massage Therapists across the globe are using this technique to bring balance and harmony to the systems in the body. The Massage Therapist massages the oils into the feet, and then into the spine and surrounding tissues. A hot towel is then applied for 10 minutes. The whole process feels great!
In truth, knowledge is power when it comes to buying the best essential oil for your unique purposes.Researching the companies who sell, understanding the differences of quality and sampling the individual essential oils will tell you what works best for you. Aromatherapy is fun to get into and you’ll find yourself feeling more calm and centered .
Warmly,
Sharon Hartnett LMT
Call: 740 966-5153
