Eucalyptus globulus or Eucalyptus radiata: Great essential oils for cooler months, these freshly scented oils support immunity The label should clearly list all ingredients in the formula, and if you’re shopping for a pure EO, it should have only one ingredient. Verify the source Essential oils have been used for thousands of years, but recently, with wellness turning into a booming industry, EOs have been made more readily available to consumers than ever before. These days, certain multilevel marketing giants may be marking up their prices because they’re really selling a *brand.* These oils are mass-produced, and the companies are not always forthcoming about their sourcing or sustainability efforts. These oils are typically overpriced.

One of the best ways to suss out which essential oils are authentic and of high quality is to really strengthen your sense of smell (seriously). A household name for self-care products and dietary supplements, Now Foods was founded by Elwood Richard in the 1960s with the intention of creating affordable, high-quality nutritional products. Today, the brand’s vast catalog includes pure essential oils (though there are some exceptions, like the synthetic jasmine, which is labeled such), blends, and USDA organic-certified essential oils. As alternative therapies gain steam, essential oils have wafted into the spotlight. Volatile, potent compounds extracted from plants by distillation or expression, essential oils are immensely versatile. These aromatic chemicals have plentiful applications, from scenting homes and aromatherapy to self-care rituals and therapeutic applications.Massaging: Mix a few drops with a carrier oil such as Grapeseed oil apply to the skin. (Do not use the Essential Oil directly on the skin) Not all essential oils are created with utmost purity and authenticity in mind, and unfortunately they’re not regulated by the FDA. This means you must be your own advocate when it comes to sourcing the good stuff (same with cosmetics, folks).

It is a balanced mixture of Peppermint, Rosemary, Lavender, Sandalwood, and Sweet Almond oil. It can help you revitalize energy levels during a hectic day. Stay alert and combat fatigue whilst driving by putting a few drops on a diffuser. It uplifts mood and motivates creativity while using it. By inhaling the oil, it could stimulate the brain and balances the nervous system. The brand’s product selection boasts an impressive variety of single and blended oils, USDA certified organic and premium oils, all starting at reasonable prices. You can also shop a collection of diffusers, mists, and bath and skin products for adults and kids. To boost your mood, try the Uplifting Kit with a selection of four citrusy oils (namely lemon, lime, grapefruit, and sweet orange oil) that’s a refreshing and invigorating gift. Popular hair, skin, and body care brand Pura D’or is also home to an aromatherapy lineup. Working with professional certified aromatherapist Mikki Anderson, the limited selection of essential oils is ethically sourced from family-run farms and small distilleries. The products are USDA certified organic, Leaping Bunny cruelty-free, and vegan. However, the brand hasn’t made quality test results available as other brands have. Some plants aren’t even capable of yielding an essential oil ­— like violets. If you see a bottle labeled “violet oil,” sorry to break it to you, but there’s no violet essential oil from the plant Viola odorata (aka sweet violets). They’re too small and delicate to extract an EO from using traditional methods. To learn more about these powerful compounds, we turned to Jade Shutes, founder and director of education for The School for Aromatic Studies, who says, “Essential oils have a wide range of therapeutic benefits. Essential oils can support emotional well-being, reduce inflammation in the skin, enhance immunity, support wound healing, respiratory and digestive health, and much more.” Essential oils can be inhaled, applied topically after dilution, or popped into a humidifier or diffuser to infuse your home with fragrance.Sometimes they’ll come with an eyedropper cap, but more often they’ll come with an orifice reducer (the round, plastic part fitted into the bottle’s opening that helps meter out one drop at a time).

If a label outright says “fragrance oil” and there’s no Latin name present, it’s not an essential oil. Synthetic fragrance oils don’t contain the vital components of real plants. So, repeat after us: Friends don’t let friends buy fake essential oils. Essential Oil Sets of Frankincense Fragrance Oil Lavender & Sandalwood Essential Oil Set 10mL/Bottle – 100% Pure Essential Oils for Candle Making Rose or neroli: Though pricey, these delicate floral oils can support emotional well-being during periods of high stress or grief You can also add a drop of essential oil to water. “If the water becomes discolored or turns milky, then it has been diluted with water and an emulsifier has been used to keep the essential oil and water together,” she says.Again, if it doesn’t list the Latin name as well as the common name, don’t buy it. It’s likely a mix of synthetic perfumed “fragrance oil.” It might contain some essential oil, but who really knows? Sometimes it’s easy to tell right away if an essential oil isn’t the real deal. Other times, the clues are more subtle. At least look out for these three main things: You see the word “fragrance” EUQEE Frankincense Essential Oil 118ml Large Bottle Pure Frankincense Oil Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil with Glass Dropper Perfect for Aromatherapy, Skin, Diffuser, Sopa Making – 4 Fl.Oz Compare the price. A very low price is something to be wary of. But the highest priced bottle might not be the best choice either. In recent years the sale of essential oils has become retail-driven, whereas it used to be more practitioner-driven.

Finally, Shutes recommends using your sense of smell. “Our sense of smell is often underrated as a tool in determining the quality of an essential oil, but it is perhaps the most powerful tool we have.” With practice, you can strengthen it. “For instance, first smell an excellent-quality essential oil, then immediately smell a questionable or low-quality essential oil. There should be a distinct difference in the quality and effect of the aroma,” she explains. EZBASICS Peppermint Essential Oil 100% Pure and Natural for Facial Steamer Home Diffuser Aromatherapy Making Candle Perfume 10ml (1/3oz)You need to consider several factors while shopping for quality essential oils, especially in the absence of industry standards, says Jade Shutes, founder and director of education for The School for Aromatic Studies. While researching brands, look for the common and scientific name of the botanical on the label, whether the method of production is specified, from where in the plant has the oil been extracted from (flowers, leaves, stems, roots, or fruits), the color of the bottle (preferring amber, blue, or green), the brand’s commitment to sustainability and the reputation of the company, among other criteria. Prices also fluctuate through the years, depending on crops and what certain harvests can yield. For example, more than 80 percent of the world’s vanilla is grown on the island of Madagascar, which has been hit with terrible weather in recent years.