| Essential oils, CO2S and absolutes are usually sold | | | | contains an "orifice reducer" which is a small, clear |
| for use in small bottles. Commonly they are sold | | | | insert inside the bottle opening and acts as a |
| in 5ml, 10ml and 15ml bottle sizes. More expensive | | | | dropper. You can easily tip the bottle and dispense |
| oils are sold in 2ml and 1 dram bottle sizes. These | | | | the essential oil drop by drop. Remember to |
| oils should be stored very carefully because they | | | | replace the cap quickly after use and make sure |
| can easily get damaged by ultraviolet light and get | | | | that the cap is closed tightly, when not in use. |
| deteriorated very fast at the blue end of the | | | | Whichever essential oil you buy will last |
| spectrum, as compared to red. They can lose | | | | approximately for three years from the date of |
| their therapeutic benefits and deteriorate over | | | | bottling. But if you provide excellent storage |
| time. For instance, citrus oil oxidizes and begins to | | | | conditions then the oil can be stored for at least |
| lose aroma and its therapeutic properties; but not | | | | five years. There is dramatic reduction in the shelf |
| every essential oil loses its value, like sandalwood | | | | life once the oils are diluted with carrier oils. A |
| and patchouli oils. | | | | blend will be effective for approximately three to |
| You should always store essential oils in an amber | | | | six months if you store it in an amber colored |
| colored bottle and if you are keeping the oil in a | | | | bottle in a cool place. With wheatgerm oil being |
| blue color bottle then keep it in a dark place, this | | | | added, the shelf life is about six to nine months. |
| is not so important for brown colored bottles. | | | | Remember to discard the oil if there is an |
| Dark glass bottles like amber or cobalt blue | | | | alteration in the smell or when vegetable oil |
| bottles can keep the sunrays out. Try and avoid | | | | becomes rancid. |
| purchasing any essential oil that comes in a clear | | | | There are few points that you need to keep in |
| bottle with a rubber dropper incorporated into the | | | | kind when you buy an essential oil:o Buy oils in |
| screw top cap because the highly concentrated oil | | | | amber colored bottleso Check for the date when |
| has the capacity to turn the rubber bulb into gum. | | | | it was bottled and how old it iso The oils should |
| Never buy oils that are being sold in plastic bottles. | | | | not be kept in direct sunlighto Check if all the |
| There are some vendors who sell essential oils in | | | | essential oils are of the same price. This is an |
| aluminum bottles, but these bottles are acceptable | | | | indication that you are being cheated. For instance, |
| if the interiors are lined. Always store the bottles | | | | rosemary or lavender oil will be less expensive |
| in a dark and cool place because these oils cannot | | | | than rose oil.o Check if the essential oil that you |
| take high temperatures and they evaporate | | | | are buying is blended with any other carrier oil and |
| quickly. Most of the oils come in a bottle that | | | | if yes, then find out when it was diluted. |