| tial oils, also known as volatile or ethereal oils are | | | | quality of the plastic material. Therefore, it should be |
| complex hydrophobic liquids with strong aroma. They | | | | sold and stored in glass containers only. Moreover, |
| are very volatile and complex in nature. Essential oils | | | | the glass container in which you wish to store |
| are concentrated extracts of flowers, spices, roots, | | | | essential oils should be dark in color, as light tends to |
| fruits and leaves. Mostly, essential oils can be | | | | affect the quality fo the essential oils. |
| obtained by distillation. Besides you can also use | | | | • Always enquire about the purity of the oil |
| expression or solvent extraction. They are used in | | | | and the place from where the seller bought it. |
| cosmetics, perfumes and cosmetics. In order to get | | | | Besides you should also ask about the botanical plant |
| the maximum benefit from essential oils, it is | | | | names for the essential oil. Try to get answer for all |
| important to use pure essential oils. | | | | such questions. If the seller happens to answer them |
| Some of the following tips will help you shop for the | | | | correctly then you can be sure that he has clear |
| best quality essential oils: | | | | knowledge about essential oils. |
| • Try to purchase essential oils from a | | | | • Always be on the lookout for synthetic |
| reputable source: It is important to buy essential oils | | | | essential oils. Many such oils are lilac, rain, carnation, |
| from a well known source, so that you do not get | | | | strawberry or cucumber. As these oils are synthetic, |
| poor quality. Unfortunately, they are often diluted, | | | | it could mean that rest of the oils will also be |
| cut, extended or altered in one form or the other | | | | synthetic. |
| that leads to impurity in the quality of essential oils. It | | | | • Try to check for purity: It is important to |
| is advisable to use pure, natural essential oils for | | | | identify pure essential oils. In order to do so put a |
| health purposes. Make sure you ask the seller if he | | | | drop of essential oil on a paper and check if it |
| has the oils that are tested by an independent lab | | | | evaporates immediately or not. Ideally, it should |
| using Gas Chromatography or Mass Spectrometry. | | | | evaporate without leaving any oily mark, as soon as |
| This test helps to identify the purity of oil and | | | | it is put on paper. If it leaves a mark it means it is |
| authenticity. It is observed that sellers who believe in | | | | made with vegetable oil. |
| communicating with their suppliers and maintain a | | | | • Fragrance oils, synthetic oils or perfume oils |
| close connection tend to get the oils tested. It helps | | | | do not belong to the category of essential oils. These |
| them obtain pure products. Buying oils from a place | | | | oils should not be substituted for essential oils, |
| of repute saves you from major disappointment | | | | particularly when they are used for health related |
| regarding quality. | | | | purposes. Fragrance oils do not have any therapeutic |
| • Never buy oils that are stored in plastic or | | | | value and can often lead to sensitization and adverse |
| transparent containers: Essential oils tend to lower the | | | | reactions in many people. |