Aromatherapy

Before, essential oils are considered as luxury: only a few household appreciate its prowess in the healing and stress-relieving department. How times have changed: in the year 2014, the market demand for global essential oil is 165 kilo tons; come 2018 it became almost 227 and experts are saying that the compound annual growth rate could be as high as 8.6% up to the year 2025. With the growing demand, essential oil brands keep coming into the market so fast that consumers like us are having great difficulty in choosing the best brands.

More than knowing about how you’ll choose a brand, in this article you will also know about the top 7 best essential oil brands in the market. Are you ready?

Signs of a Good Essential Oil Brand

Most of the time, we use customer reviews as a guide on what to buy and what to just remain in our cart for the foreseeable future. Still, we both know that doing that is like going through the endless isle of brands half blind because we’re looking at what worked for them and praying that it will work for us too. So here’s the game changer; look at these elements next time you plan to buy an essential oil.

• Purity – the effectiveness of essential oil depends largely on its purity. Take note: some companies use chemical fillers to increase the volume of the product AND sell it at lower price (since 100% is expensive); some even suggest that mixing additives boosts the potency of the oil. Unless they reveal scientific research, don’t listen to them. Essential oils are still best when they are bottled 100% pure.
• Membership in reputable institutions – other brands may lie about the authenticity of their essential oils but that is less likely if they (or their retailers) are a member of a renowned, regulatory institution such as the NAHA or the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy.
• Safety – since some essential oils are meant to be ingested, FDA has released brands that are “Generally Recognized as Safe”. If the brands say their oils are not food grade, then check for other tests they underwent to prove that they are safe to be inhaled or be applied on skin. Do this checking especially if you see labels such as “Therapeutic Grade” because this term is unregulated – meaning anyone can claim that their essential oils are of therapeutic grade quality.
• Customer Service – A product is more reliable if their customer service can be reached easily. In a brand, look for toll-free hotlines, website, or email address. Contact one or more of them and ask specific questions about the oil you are thinking of purchasing. Gauge their response and see how well they know their product.
• Price – Last, but definitely not the least, look for the price. Premium high quality and 100% pure essential oils are generally expensive than the others, so if you see such labels and note that their price is cheap, be careful. Still a lot of brands offer affordable oils without compromising the quality; you just need to check the reviews and of course see for yourself.

We’ll make it easier for you to choose your next brand by enumerating and reviewing the 7 best essential oil companies in the market according to our product research and multiple customer reviews.

1. Young Living

As of now, this brand is in the market for 25 years! That’s a great accomplishment since essential oils only became viral these past years. What’s great about Young Living is that they make sure of the quality of their product by supervising it from the start up to the point when they are marketed by their retailers. Their seeds are harvested from various farms worldwide giving them the advantage of producing more arrays of oils. Their manners of production range from steam extraction for distillation, cold pressing, and resin tapping – all of which produce effective essential oils and are in accordance with the DSA ethics. One of the most impressive things about Young Living is that they give personal customer support. The only thing considered a downside in this brand is its price; compared to others, this brand is costly. Still, with excellent quality, it’s a great trade off.

2. Healing Solutions

Healing Solutions may not be a staple if you always read essential oil reviews, but head over to Amazon and you’ll realize that they are one of the best-selling brands, with more than 5,000 reviews on just one product. Their website says that they have a full-time, in house Essential Oils scientist which guarantees the purity in every bottle. Additionally, their products underwent extensive in-house GCMS testing; currently the company is planning to publish the results for all their products. GCMS, short for Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometry, tests the individual components of an essential oil to check for its purity and quality. A company that does this test gets points for diligence. Read the appraisal and endorsement for this brand here.

3. Edens Garden

This brand is fast becoming a staple in many households. In their website, Edens Garden pledges that their products are 100% unadulterated. Moreover, the essential oils’ test results including the Materials Safety Data Sheets are available upon request. As for safety, they have a 3^rd party GCMS testing centre which checks their oils at the highest standards. Built in 2009, this company is relatively newer, but their confidence on their product is commendable; offering a 30-day Money Back Guarantee should consumers not like their oils. The customer service is also approachable, offering as many channels as they can to accommodate questions. If you’re looking for affordable, high-quality products that come in a set, Edens Garden is the way to go.

4. doTERRA

doTERRA is taking quality checking to a whole new level by creating an internal CPTG testing process. CPTG stands for Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade. This means that in every bottle, there is only 100% pure essential oil. They also undergo the GCMS test as explained in their website. Founded in 2008, the pioneers of this company are known science professionals, some of whom previously worked in Young Living. The most impressive thing, however, is their Global Botanical Network. This scheme allows them to work with distillers and farmers from across 40 countries. The most common way of production is steam distillation and cold pressing. Two things about doTERRA though: they are quite expensive and the test results are not published in their site.

5. NOW Foods

Since NOW Foods are already in the market for 5 decades, it’s not surprising that they have an assortment of natural food products and dietary supplements up their sleeves. It’s also not shocking that they enter in the essential oils business since oils are also ingested for therapeutic purposes. The products are 100% pure, except for the jasmine blend which uses synthetic scents due to the extremely expensive price of jasmine oil. Transparency-wise, NOW Foods have published their Materials Safety Sheets in their website for each of their product. Aside from having an in-house quality testing, they also use third-party laboratories when needed. The only problem about NOW Foods is how they handle customer service: there is a list of phone numbers, but there’s no toll-free line. What they have is a feedback form to be responded to via email.

6. Plant Therapy

This company made its launch in 2011 with the goal of providing premium quality essential oils at affordable price. Even though Plant Therapy is relatively young, they know the importance of transparency in the market, thus, if you want to know about their oils, all you need to do is go to the product page and scroll down for Test Results which you can download in PDF format. More than that, you can also see the Materials Safety Sheet for each essential oil. Plant Therapy uses a third-party testing center for their quality checks. While it’s true that this company is still a baby and in great need of customer reviews, the quality of their product and its affordability make up for it.

7. Rocky Mountain Oils

Like NOW Foods, Rocky Mountain Oils not only specializes in essential oils – they also have products for skin care, wellness, and nutrition. Although they started way back 2004, only 6 of their products are organic according to the USDA; but no worries because they use a third-party laboratory to check for the purity of their oils through the GCMS. Because they are confident with the grade of their oils, they offer a 90-day Refund Policy should you find anything unsatisfactory with their products. When it comes to customer service, they have a 1-800 number which you can call on weekdays from 7 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon.

That’s it! The 7 Best Essential Oil Brands in the market as of now. My suggestion is for you to make a quick tour to their website to see for yourself. Remember that you can test their oils by purchasing their least expensive variant. Don’t hesitate to contact their support team and download the resources available in their site to facilitate your own, little investigation. Live better with essential oils!

References:

• Market demand of essential oils worldwide from 2018 to 2025 (in kilotons): https://www.statista.com/statistics/750725/global-essential-oils-market-demand/
• Top 10 Most Respectable Essential Oil Companies – Ratings and Evaluation By Brenda: https://www.airlifebetter.com/best-essential-oil-brands/

If you’ve been around for a decent amount of time, you’ve likely heard of essential oils and their various benefits. You’re also probably at least somewhat aware of the fact that essential oils can be applied and ingested in multiple fashions. However, what you might not know is that essential oils should be used differently for individuals in various categories. This is especially true as it pertains to the elderly.

Benefits of Using Essential Oils to Care for the Elderly

As you’ve probably guessed, there are several benefits associated with using essential oils to care for the elderly. Essential oils have been known to help the elderly overcome the following health ailments:

• Muscle soreness
• Stress and nervous tension
• Dry, cracked skin
• Sore, tired feet
• Arthritis
• Common cold
• Restlessness/poor quality of sleep

While essential oils can be helpful for the elderly, it’s important to note that all essential oils are not created equally. When allowing the elderly to come into contact with these substances, it’s very important that they only have exposure to the best essential oils companies.

How to Use Essential Oils

Before we cover the best essential oils companies and the oils which heal various ailments, it’s important to note that there are various methods of applying essential oils. Some methods are better than others, depending on the oil and the purpose of taking them. Ultimately, the various method of use comes down to a judgment call. Check this post to learn more about how to use essential oils effectively.

Suitable Essential Oils for the Elderly

At this point, you’re probably wondering which essential oils are most suitable for the elderly. However, this depends upon the purpose behind the use. As previously stated, essential oils are not created equally; this means that different oils serve different purposes.

Lavender Essential Oils

If improving sleep quality and calming down emotionally are your goals, then you may find lavender to be one of the best essential oils. Lavender essential oils are widely known to improve emotional states and serve as antidepressants. Due to the nature of lavender essential oils, they are best applied topically or via inhalation. Elderly people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, restless sleep, anxiety, or disempowering emotional states will find lavender essential oils to be helpful.

Peppermint Essential Oils

Peppermint essential oils are well-known as substances which calm nerves, improve concentration and memory functions. For these reasons, peppermint essential oils can be incredibly advantageous for elderly people, particularly those who are dealing with certain health issues, such as dementia, depression, anxiety, etc. Peppermint essential oils are best applied via inhalation; one of the best ways applying this method to elderly people is via a nebulizer essential oil diffuser that uses no water. This allows elderly people to gradually ingest essential oils without overdoing it or upsetting their bodies by taking in too much at one time.

Rosemary Essential Oils

Similarly to lavender and peppermint essential oils, Rosemary essential oils have been known to provide great benefits to elderly people. This particular oil is a great fit for elderly people who sometimes struggle with their memory or with successfully carrying out daily tasks. Rosemary essential oils have furthermore been known to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and improve the recollection of past memories. This particular essential oil is best applied topically or via indirect inhalation.

Safe Use of Essential Oils for Older People

Regardless of how many benefits are associated with any particular essential oil, it’s absolutely critical to ensure that the right precautions are taken. As a general principle, elderly people should be sure that the essential oils of their choice are most advantageous to the ailment which they are seeking to rid themselves of.

Even more important is the certainty that essential oils are applied and consumed in a safe manner. The topical application of essential oils is not necessarily ill-advised for older people, but it should be done cautiously.

Moreover, it’s very imperative to make sure that there are no “overdoses” when older people consume essential oils. Consuming more than the recommended amount of essential oils will not strengthen or speed up positive results; conversely, “overdosing” on essential oils can actually cause great harm and be physically upsetting, especially for older people.

References:

• Using pure essential oils to care for the elderly: https://www.inessence.com.au/how-to-use-pure-essential-oils-for-elderly
• Manage Dementia’s Side Effects with These 7 Essential Oils: https://www.alzheimers.net/10-10-14-essential-oils-dementia/
• Top 15 Most Popular Essential Oils to Get Started: https://aromatalking.com/most-popular-essential-oils/

Essential oils are a subject of intrigue for many consumers. Individuals who are fascinated with these oils often wonder which oils are best for them and how they should be applied. It goes without saying that there are many essential oils which currently exist on the market. Each oil comes with its own benefits; some promote the alleviation of pain and cold/flu symptoms, while others are better for balancing hormones, remedying unwanted skin conditions and more. Nevertheless, anyone who wishes to make the most of essential oils must first know the best ways to use them.

When most people think of the possible ways to use essential oils, various application methods usually comes to mind. This typically involves one or more of the following options:

• Inhalation
• Application to the skin
• Steam inhalation
• Aromatherapy massages
• Application of essential oil diffusers
• Use in a bath

While each of the aforementioned steps can be employed for essential oil usage, they fail to scratch the surface. Whether you are a longtime user of essential oils or brand new, there are precisely three avenues in which essential oils can be used. The preceding application methods merely serve as extensions of the three main avenues.

The three avenues of using essential oils are as follows:

• Aromatically
• Topically
• Internally

If you’re looking for detailed and thorough explanations of the aromatic, topic, and internal uses of essential oils, you’ve come to the right place. Stay with me.

How to Use Essential Oils Aromatically

As the name suggests, the aromatic use of essential oils involves purposeful inhalation. People who choose to aromatically use essential oils generally do so by diffusing them into the air, adding drops of the oil to cotton balls, pillowcases, or other household objects which they may frequently come into contact with. Additional aromatic methods of essential oil use include the use of humidifiers, natural room deodorizers, placing the oils in a fan/vent, or even treating the oils as perfumes or fragrances.

In most cases, aromatic use of essential oils is generally regarded as the easiest and safest method. This is especially applicable for individuals who are not familiar with essential oils. However, like any other method, people who chose aromatic use need to be careful. In the initial period, you’ll want to be sure that your body has a positive reaction to the essential oils which it’s being exposed to. Too much exposure, especially in short time periods, can upset the body, cause headaches, or prompt other undesirable reactions. Moderation is paramount.

How to Use Essential Oils Topically

The topical use of essential oils involves direct application to the skin. In most cases, the oil would be applied on areas of the skin which are in need of improvement or aid. Some common examples of topical application include placing modest portions of the oil on the wrists, palms, back of the ears. However, these are not the only places where essential oils can be applied.

Individuals who are looking to engage in the topical use of essential oils can place small amounts of the oils on the following areas of the body:

• Temples/neck/forehead
• Face
• Base of skull
• Chest
• Abdomen
• Roof of mouth
• Soles of feet

Of course, it goes without saying that the designated area of topical application should align with the purpose of the chosen essential oil. For instance, if you’re looking to rid your body of tension, then placing small amounts of essential oils on your neck, temples, or forehead would be advisable. Conversely, if you require essential oils for the sake of clearing up your breathing patterns or reducing body sensitivity, then the best places for topical application would be the chest or soles of your feet.

Before diving into the topical use of essential oils, proceeding with caution is absolutely paramount. For this reason, you are advised to engage in partake in an exercise known as the “patch test.” The patch test is very simple; all you need to do is take two drops of the essential oils and apply them to a small spot of skin on your forearm. After doing this, monitor the area to see if any allergic reactions take place. Employing the patch test as a means of caution is always critical. You’re unlikely to experience allergic reactions from topical application of essential oils, but if you do, it’s better to occur on a small area of skin, rather than on a larger scale.

How to Use Essential Oils Internally

The internal use of essential oils involves literally ingesting them into your body. In most scenarios, internal use of essential oils is done by cooking them into foods, mixing them in with drinks, or even placing drops of the oil in capsules and later swallowing them. When regarding this particular method of consumption, it’s important to understand that less is more. When used internally, just a few drops of essential oils at one time can work wonders. You should never consume an entire bottle at once.

Different people use essential oils for various reasons and purposes. Most users have their own preferences and desired methods of consumption. However, not all essential oils should be consumed internally. For this reason, doing your research and ensuring that the oils of your choice are safe for internal consumption is strongly recommended. As the old saying goes, it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.

Which is Best for You?

If you are not particularly well-versed with essential oils, you may be wondering which method of use is most advisable. The truth of the matter is that there is no one answer. Each essential oil comes with its own purpose. Being aware of the product you’re purchasing and knowing which methods of use are best will prove to be helpful throughout your journey with essential oils.

If you’re still getting acclimated to essential oils, you may find that aromatic use is the best method, at least for now. As previously stated, aromatic consumption of essential oils is generally regarded as the safest. Even if you are familiar with essential oils and trying out a new one, you may also benefit from initial aromatic use. Topical and internal consumption usually work well with familiarity.

At the end of the day, only you can determine which method of use is best for you. Hopefully, this article was helpful and provided some relevant and useful information.