| Everyday more people are becoming intrigued | | | | common name may be on the label. Knowing the |
| with aromatherapy. After using products made | | | | botanical name ensures you are purchasing the |
| with essential oils, it becomes evident that these | | | | correct chemotype. Certain essential oils have |
| products are superior over those made with | | | | several varieties and chemotypes with different |
| synthetic ingredients. Some people decide they'd | | | | therapeutic properties and safety guidelines. Using |
| like to try creating their own aromatherapy | | | | the wrong variety may not produce desired |
| formulas for hair, skin, first aid and a variety of | | | | effects and may be harmful. |
| other conditions. | | | | Make sure your essential oils have not been |
| Aromatherapy formulas can be fun to create and | | | | adulterated. There are several ways essential oils |
| may have a profound effect on the quality of | | | | can be adulterated in order to keep costs down. |
| one's hair, skin and emotional well-being. Creating | | | | They could be mixed with synthetic materials |
| safe and effective formulas requires a bit of | | | | such as petroleum-based solvents or, they could |
| knowledge and experience. Safety guidelines must | | | | be mixed with similar but less expensive essential |
| be followed and high quality botanical ingredients | | | | oils, vegetable oils, or alcohol. Adulterated oils will |
| must be purchased. | | | | not produce the desired effects and may be |
| It is important to purchase true essential oils and | | | | harmful. |
| not their synthetic counterparts, which are often | | | | To test an essential oil for additives you can place |
| referred to as fragrance oils. Synthetic oils will not | | | | a drop on a piece of paper. When it evaporates it |
| produce the therapeutic results of essential oils | | | | should leave little or no stain. Evaporation rates |
| and may even have adverse effects. | | | | vary depending on the oil. |
| Make sure you purchase superior quality essential | | | | When purchasing an essential oil that you have |
| oils from a reputable supplier. When it comes to | | | | not previously used, only purchase a small amount |
| essential oils, do not sacrifice quality for cost. The | | | | to see how you react to the scent and the |
| botanical ingredients must come from a high | | | | effects of the oil. |
| quality crop that has been properly cared for. The | | | | When purchasing carrier oils, look for natural, |
| distillation process is intricate and time consuming. | | | | unrefined. cold-pressed oils. The refining process |
| Precise measures must be taken to ensure the | | | | removes the nutritive properties. Only purchase |
| therapeutic properties of the oils remain intact. | | | | small amounts that you will use up within a few |
| Inferior distillation methods will produce inferior | | | | months. Carrier oils do not last as long as essential |
| essential oils. | | | | oils and may go rancid. |
| High quality essential oils will be sold in amber, | | | | Educate yourself. Purchase a few good books |
| cobalt blue or other dark-colored glass bottles. | | | | with information and recipes. Soon you will be |
| Avoid essential oils that are sold in clear bottles as | | | | ready to enjoy aromatherapy at a higher level by |
| exposure to light can weaken therapeutic | | | | blending your own products. |
| properties. The botanical name in addition to the | | | | |