ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils seem to be one of the first things people new to natural medicine start utilizing. While highly beneficial when used correctly, they can also cause additional health problems when used incorrectly. Essential oils are highly concentrated from botanicals. It can take many pounds, sometimes into the hundreds of pounds, to produce a single ounce of oil. Because of the strength of the oils, they should only be used externally. Essential oils should never be taken internally.
WHICH BRAND IS THE BEST
The simple answer is that there is no one best brand at the exclusion of all others. Essential oils are plant based and therefore the quality is dependent on the plant, the soil in which the plant is grown, the area in which the plant is grown, the growing conditions (these conditions change year to year), how the plant was harvested, how the plant was stored after harvest, how the plant was then processed, etc. The variables that go into producing the highest quality product every year are enormous. There is no one best brand for essential oils regardless of claims.
WHICH ESSENTIAL OILS SHOULD I PURCHASE
Always purchase pure essential oils, therapeutic grade or better. Some of the more expensive essentials (Frankincense, sandalwood, rose) will sometimes be in a carrier oil, or CO2, these should be clearly marked on the label, and are also acceptable. Try different brands and find the brand you like, again, there is no one best brand. The same oil may smell and feel differently from different manufacturers.
HOW DO I STORE ESSENTIAL OILS
Store your oils in their original bottles in a dark, cool, dry place. Keep them capped tightly when not in use. A small plastic tool box, that is not opaque, works nicely.