Submitted by: Marilyn Reid

Essential oils, also known as volatile or ethereal oils are complex hydrophobic liquids with strong aroma. They are very volatile and complex in nature. Essential oils are concentrated extracts of flowers, spices, roots, fruits and leaves. Mostly, essential oils can be obtained by distillation. Besides you can also use expression or solvent extraction. They are used in cosmetics, perfumes and cosmetics. In order to get the maximum benefit from essential oils, it is important to use pure essential oils.

Some of the following tips will help you shop for the best quality essential oils:

Try to purchase essential oils from a reputable source: It is important to buy essential oils from a well known source, so that you do not get poor quality. Unfortunately, they are often diluted, cut, extended or altered in one form or the other that leads to impurity in the quality of essential oils. It is advisable to use pure, natural essential oils for health purposes. Make sure you ask the seller if he has the oils that are tested by an independent lab using Gas Chromatography or Mass Spectrometry. This test helps to identify the purity of oil and authenticity. It is observed that sellers who believe in communicating with their suppliers and maintain a close connection tend to get the oils tested. It helps them obtain pure products. Buying oils from a place of repute saves you from major disappointment regarding quality.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm4JjdMRuSU[/youtube]

Never buy oils that are stored in plastic or transparent containers: Essential oils tend to lower the quality of the plastic material. Therefore, it should be sold and stored in glass containers only. Moreover, the glass container in which you wish to store essential oils should be dark in color, as light tends to affect the quality fo the essential oils.

Always enquire about the purity of the oil and the place from where the seller bought it. Besides you should also ask about the botanical plant names for the essential oil. Try to get answer for all such questions. If the seller happens to answer them correctly then you can be sure that he has clear knowledge about essential oils.

Always be on the lookout for synthetic essential oils. Many such oils are lilac, rain, carnation, strawberry or cucumber. As these oils are synthetic, it could mean that rest of the oils will also be synthetic.

Try to check for purity: It is important to identify pure essential oils. In order to do so put a drop of essential oil on a paper and check if it evaporates immediately or not. Ideally, it should evaporate without leaving any oily mark, as soon as it is put on paper. If it leaves a mark it means it is made with vegetable oil.

Fragrance oils, synthetic oils or perfume oils do not belong to the category of essential oils. These oils should not be substituted for essential oils, particularly when they are used for health related purposes. Fragrance oils do not have any therapeutic value and can often lead to sensitization and adverse reactions in many people.

About the Author: For 10 years, Marilyn has been active as an advocate for Alternative Health Therapies, specializing in

Essential Oils

and

Aromatherapy

to increase wellness. Marilyn also writes

Health Articles

which showcase both essential oils and other alternative health modalities.

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=334507&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

Posted in Medical