See the difference: When shopping for essential oils, remember that not all oils are made, or labeled equally. Perfume oils are not the same as essential oils. Perfume oil will get you a cheaper, inferior version of an essential oil. It is no better than scented water and will give you no therapeutic benefits at all. They might smell nice, but they won’t last long and won’t help you if you are interested in aromatherapy.

Look carefully at the bottle: Even the bottle makes a big difference in the quality of the oils you are buying. Dark colored, brown or amber glass bottles are your best bets, as are lined aluminum bottles. Steer clear of plastic bottles of any color or kind and clear glass bottles. They will not keep your essential oils well and will cause them to deteriorate very fast. In addition, if the bottle has any rubber on it, don’t buy it. Essential oils should not have a rubber stopper of any kind and the lid should not have a rubber seal. Why you might ask? Rubber degrades quickly and can cause your oils to become contaminated.

Do your research: Before you head out and spend your hard earned cash on expensive essential oils, make sure you do your research. There are many kinds of essential oils out there and they all have their own unique healing properties and purposes. There are many great books and even resources online that can help your journey into aromatherapy and essential oils. Make sure you know what you are doing before you make a purchase and you can be sure that your money is well spent.

Know the dangers of essential oils: While essential oils are nature, derived from natural ingredients, they can be dangerous. You should never ingest essential oils and you should keep them away from your pets and infants. It is okay to use the scents in your home, but you never want to allow your pets or baby to swallow the oils. You should also remember that these oils are flammable. If you use them in your candles or on a heated source, be very carefully. They should never be left unsupervised at any time. Another word of caution—some essential oils have been known to interact with certain prescription medications. If you take prescriptions, make sure the oils you are using are safe. Pregnant women should also be cautious when using essential oils.

Once you know the ins and outs of essential oils, you are well on your way to making informed choices when you shop.

Using essential oils as an antiseptic: You can go to your local grocery store and purchase expensive antiseptic and disinfectant sprays for your home, or you can go the natural way and use essential oils. When you add essential oils to vinegar, you have just created a great way to ward off germs. This method has actually been used for centuries—way before you could buy those sprays in stores. Some of the essential oils that you can look into for this purpose include poppy, pine, peppermint, tea tree oil, rosemary and eucalyptus.  

Once you have gotten the hang of mixing your essential oils, some great uses for disinfectant include using the essential oils mixed with water as a spray to kill germs in your bathroom. This can also double as a great room freshener, too depending on the oils you choose. If someone in your home is sick, then your essential oil spray can help kill those germs in the air, as well.

Do you have pest in your home? Did you know that using drops of peppermint and cold water can help fight off mice and other small insects? These small pests dislike the smell of peppermint and will steer clear of these areas. The added benefit is that peppermint is safe for your home and you can use it around children and pets without the fear of getting them sick.

You can also add essential to your first aid kit. Do some research and find out which ones can help aid healing. Eucalyptus is great for congestion when rubbed on the chest and neck area and tea tree oil can help with a multitude of ailments. It can ward off lice, soothe insect bites and help sunburns and small cuts and scrapes, too.

Now, you can also focus on using essential oils in your home to make it smell great, too. There are many ways of using oils in the home for that purpose. You can purchase a wide variety of diffusers and let the calming scents fill the air in your home. Light a candle and let some of the wax melt, then blow out the flame. Add a few drops of the oil to the wax and relight. You will soon have the wonderful fragrance filling the air. Experiment with the different scents and mixes of essential oils you can use to create a mood in your home. Citrus smells are always clean and refreshing any time of the year and lavender and vanilla can calm even the most stressed. You can easily add the oil to boiling water, too for a nice smell in the home.

Types of gifts you can give: You can give so many different types of essential oils gifts and you will never get tired of coming up with great gift ideas. Aromatherapy gifts are very popular and they are relatively easy to find and inexpensive. They are gifts that are truly appreciated. In addition, you can dress up the gift and present a nice looking package that will impress.

Bath salts and other scented bath products: Everyone can appreciate bath salts. Who wouldn’t want to sink down in a hot tub of scented water after a long stressful day? Scented bath salts can even work in jetted tubs, where many bubble baths and oils cannot. Look for lavender and vanilla for a relaxing scent or look for masculine scents for the guys. Make a whole bath gift basket and add a few handmade soaps, shower gel and even scrubs. Put the final touches on the basket by adding a nice loofah sponge or a body scrubber and you have a complete gift for anyone on your list.

Essential oil and a diffuser: Even if the person on your list has never tried using aromatherapy, then you can get them started. It doesn’t take much to get people interested in this practice. Go shopping for a good bottle of essential oil and a decorative diffuser. Perhaps they need a little help getting started. Head off to your bookstore and pick up an easy to follow aromatherapy book to complete the gift.

Candle and essential oil: Great scented candles make with good oils are always an appreciated gift. Don’t buy the first candles you see. If you want to give a highly scented and effective candle, then make your own or purchase good ones. You can also give them a bottle of your favorite essential oil and a candle and tell them how to get the maximum effect by adding the oil to the melted wax. Add a nice candle lighter and a candle extinguisher.

A gift card: Not sure if they will like any of this stuff? You simply can’t go wrong with letting the recipient buy their own aromatherapy products. Find a store that has a good selection or an online store and purchase a gift card. Of course, you can also give a gift card to a spa or aromatherapy treatment center. This will always go over well with your friend, family and co-workers. They can get a luxurious massage using popular essential oils. This is truly appreciated and will show your friends how much you care.

There are many great aromatherapy gifts that you can give. Look around for the best selection and have fun shopping and giving.

Carrier oils are very important to you and your essential oils. Carrier oils will help dilute your essential oils and make them usable for your body. You must remember that undiluted essential oils are very strong and they can burn and irritate your skin if not diluted. Carrier oils will also help your essential oils last longer and this is a good thing. When you purchase bottles of essential oils, you will notice that you will only get a very small amount. Usually only two or three drops is all you need to use for each use.

So, how to you go about choosing carrier oils? Like essential oils, you will need to do your research and find the ones that are right for you. You may like a certain texture or a certain feel. Some will absorb into the skin better than others. It is really a matter of personal choice, but you should also know that some carrier oils have healing properties of their own. Here is a closer look at popular carrier oils that you can use.

Almond Oil: Sweet almond oil is probably the most popular carrier oil used today in aromatherapy. It is because it works well with all skin types and conditions, it is smooth to the touch, does not leave a waxy or oily feeling and it is easy to find. Sweet almond oil is great to use alone, too. It can relieve all sorts of skin irritations from itchy rashes to insect bites. It is full of helpful vitamins and minerals and with its very mild aroma, mixes well with almost all essential oils on the market.

Coconut oil: Also called coconut butter, this carrier is a popular choice for many people. Most people enjoy its scent and will tell you that it makes their skin feel silky, smooth. It works very well even for sensitive skin and can be used to soothe very dry skin, as well. You can easily find coconut oil and mix it with your favorite essential oils for wonderful body treatment.

Grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil is also quite common and can be used for all skin types and conditions. This oil is rich in minerals and vitamins that can help the skin heal from burns, rashes and even minor cuts and scratches. Grapeseed is also a top choice because when massaged into the skin, it does not leave an overly-greasy feeling on the skin. It also has almost no smell, which makes it perfect for mixing with all sorts of essential oils. You will be able to find grapeseed oil at most locations that sell essential oils and aromatherapy products.

Steam Distillation: Steam distillation is the most popular and quickest way that essential oils are made. When you see essential oils made from steam distillation, you will see that it is highly effective and economical. When steam distillation is used, the plant material is placed in a cooker that resembles a pressure cooker—this is called the sill. The plant is then steamed as pressurized heat and water passes through the material. The heat will then cause the oil in the plant to rupture and evaporate. The vapor from the oil is passed through a pipe and cooled until it condensed back to the oil form. It sounds quite complicated, but with the right tools, it is not. You will find most of the oil you buy made this way.

Cold press: A cold press is another way that essential oils are made. In fact, if you like to make your own essential oils, you can try this method. It works basically as the name suggests. The oil is extracted by pressing the material in a press. The oil and liquid will separate over time. This is not the way all plant material can be handled when making essential oils, but it works best for large plant material such as fruit rinds or large plants. It does take longer for this method to work.

Maceration: Maceration won’t create your pure essential oils, but instead will give you infused oil, which simply means the oil isn’t in its purest form. When maceration is used, the plant material is soaked in another type of oil, usually vegetable oil, then heated and strained. Macerated essential oils are widely used for massages.

Solvent Extraction: This is another very popular method for deriving essential oils from plant material. A type of hydrocarbon is added to the plant material to help dissolve the oil. When it is filtered and concentrated by distillation, the resin will be left over. At this point, the resin is mixed with alcohol to continue the oil extraction process. While it is not the best way to extract essential oils, it can be used. The oils may be left in the purest forms and some residue from the extraction method may be left over. A new solvent extraction method has recently been developed using carbon dioxide to get the oils ready for use. This seems to be quite effective and is being used more.

As you can see, there are a variety of methods to extract essential oils for use. If you are serious about making your own essential oils, then do further research on these methods.

Have anxiety? How many of us have suffered from anxiety a least a couple of times in our lives? Some people certainly have more anxiety than others and those who don’t have it very often, will feel it at least here and there. Essential oils can calm your anxiety and help you get ready to face your fears or problems without having to take medications that are so often prescribed. Of course, you must not allow severe anxiety out of hand. If you are not responding to essential oils and aromatherapy, then get medical help. Try adding a few drops of lavender, bergamot or cedarwood to your bath or add to a carrier oil for a massage. You can also place these oils in a diffuser for added benefit.

How about irritability? There is not a one of us that can say we have never felt irritated at someone or something from time to time. There is no reason to stay irritated though when you can use essential oils to help you out. Lavender is a great choice as are chamomile, and neroli. When you use these essential oils in your home, or even in a good deep tissue massage, you will forget whatever it was that was bothering you and making your irritable in the first place.

Any new mother will tell you that post partum depression can really make life difficult. After all, it is hard to adjust to the changes in hormones and caring for the new baby. Post partum is a serious medical condition that should get proper care. However, if you are dealing with post partum depression, you can aid your healing with aromatherapy. Again lavender is a good choice. Essential oil mixtures that are for this exact purpose can also be purchased at stores that carry a good selection of aromatherapy products. Use these oils in a diffuser, in candles around your home and in a massage. You will feel more relaxed and ready to care for that new baby.

Stress is one of those things that everyone feels from time to time. Even if you are not facing a huge stress factor in your life, you may feel a little tension on and then with your children, paying the bills or just keeping up with your daily workload. Stress in the workplace is also very common. Look no further than essential oils to help alleviate some of that tension and stress. If you work, look for small candles made with lavender, juniper and sage. Rose is another great option. The great scents of these essential oils will help melt away the day’s stress factors.

One of the fastest and easiest ways to diffuse essential oils is to use a tissue. This is mess-free, cheap and simple to do. In fact, many people who practice aromatherapy on a regular basis will tell you that the tissue method is portable and works well for kids, too. How do you do it? It is simple. All you need to do is to place a few drops of your favorite essential oils on a tissue and place it near you where you can breathe in the vapors. When the air gently blows or movement occurs in your room, it will help activate and stir around the scents. This is a perfect way to get the benefits of your favorite oils while you are at work, in your car or in a hurry. 

Steam is another popular method of diffusion for essential oils and aromatherapy. You can get fancy store bought steamer that is especially made for this purpose. You can also go simple. Boil a couple of cups of water in a pot. Pour the water into a glass bowl and add your favorite essential oils to the water. About ten drops is all you will need. This will fill your environment with the great smelling aroma of the oil and it will help relax your mind and body. This is a great method if you are using the oils to help you break up congestion in your chest. You may want to use fewer drops of strong-smelling oils, too. One word of caution: if you opt for this method, you should know that as soon as the water cools, the scent will fade as well.

You can also use a neutral smelling or non-scented candle to help you diffuse your favorite essential oils. It is easy to do, too. Simply burn your candle for about ten minutes and distinguish the flame. Immediately place a couple of drops of your favorite oil INTO THE MELTED WAX (not the wick) and relight the candle. You must be very careful if you opt for this method. Oil is flammable, so you have to use extreme caution. Watch the candle and never leave unattended. This is a good way to use up your non-scented candles and will leave your home smelling great.

Using essential oils when you practice aromatherapy is great for you. You will find scores of uses for the oils and will find that not only will you feel better, but everything around you will smell great, too. Look for oils in your favorite scents and find a diffusion method that you like the most.

As you shop for essential oils to use, you need to remember that just as with any product you buy, there are some that are better than others. You can buy cheap essential oils and if all you want to do is to make your home smell nice, then they may be okay. However, if you want the full benefits of the essential oil, then you should probably spend the extra cash on therapeutic grade essential oils.

What are therapeutic grade essential oils? These are oils that are top-notch. If you go to a skilled massage therapist and they use essential oils, then they know to use the best. These are the ones that are distilled to have the highest level of healing powers possible. In other words, these are the oils that are made with the best quality and are the purest on the market.

How do you know if they are the right grade? When you buy essential oils, it can be confusing. When you get right down to it, only about two percent of essential oils that you can buy are truly therapeutic grade. That means that if you want the best, you better be ready to shop around. There are actually standards that must be met in order to become the top grade. These are the oils that are going to work the best at fighting off germs, healing the mind and body and treating a whole host of other ailments and problems.

When you shop, you must get ready to read the labels. You need to know how the oil was distilled. Therapeutic graded oils are distilled using a proper steam method. These are the ones that will pass the gas chromatography purity testing. These oils will not have residue left after the distillation process is over. When plants and plant material are steamed, you will find that there are many factors that affect the outcome. Proper distillation methods are very important to the final product when it comes to essential oils. Make sure you know what you are buying before you spend your money.

Buying your essential oils make take a little research. Many people who love essential oils and want the best will build a good relationship with the oil company. They will trust a company that sells good essential oils. Ask questions and make sure you read the fine print on all oils before making a purchase. Do your research before buying so that you know you are getting the top of the line. You will be glad you did.

Carrier oils are very important to people who use any type of essential oils. Almost all essential oils are too concentrated and powerful to be used alone. If you do put straight and undiluted essential oil on your skin, you will probably notice an immediate reaction. It could be a very mild tingling of the skin, or it could burn. Carrier oils are used to extend the use of your essential oils and to make them suitable to use on your skin. Here is a closer look at some of the more popular types of carrier oils that you can purchase.

Sweet almond oil: Sweet almond oil is probably the most popular carrier oil you can use with essential oils. That is because it is relatively inexpensive and easy to find. It has a nice, light aroma that will not interfere with the essential oils that you are using. It also absorbs well into the skin without leaving an overly oily feeling. It is a general purpose carrier oil that you should be able to find at any store that carries a good selection of essential oils.

Cocoa Butter: You have probably heard of cocoa butter before, or even seen it in lotions or crèmes. Cocoa butter can also be used as a carrier oil for essential oils. It has a strong almost chocolate-like smell and can be mixed to blend well and room temperature. This carrier oil is also very easy to find and will work well if you want to mix your essential oils into a good lotion for your skin.

Shea butter: Shea butter is very similar to cocoa butter. You can also use this as a carrier for your favorite essential oils and works well for crèmes and lotions. Shea butter will leave an oily residue on your skin and it does not soak in as well as sweet almond oil. You will want to use this sparingly when used in a massage.

Apricot kernel: Apricot kernel is also very popular and it has a very clear appearance and almost no scent. This makes it perfect for anyone wishing to use their essential oil without the carrier oil taking center stage. Apricot kernel oil has a slight oily feel, but it will absorb into the skin very well and it will not leave an oily feeling on the skin. This is perfect for everyday use as a lotion or in a massage.

There are many other types of carrier oils that you can use besides these—soybean, grapeseed, avocado and even vegetable oil can be used.