Research shows that various smells have a profound effect on mood swings and changes. It is believed that mood is a direct result of what the senses take in, and therefore the more pleasant the sensory experience, the more pleasant the mood. This is the theory behind pairing the use of aromatherapy and essential oils with other therapeutic techniques to help decrease symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, insomnia, racing thoughts, and even improve meditation practices. Essential oils can be used in several ways, including applied directly to the skin, in a bath, and in a diffuser. A good company will include educational information about how to use the oils, as well as be transparent about how their oils are processed. Look for pure oils extracted from organically grown plants and free from additives, which will be reflected in the price. Here are the best places to buy essential oils for safe aromatherapy. They offer many organic oils and all testing is cruelty-free. Plant Therapy focuses on education and even offers dilution charts to ensure effective and safe use. Some oils are organic, like their top-selling lavender scent which offers calming effects and is known to improve sleep. The line offers a good variety of scents, like cinnamon which is known to promote alertness and help you feel awake and energized. The oil labels offer clear guidance on oil extraction methods (steam and cold-pressed) to ensure oil quality and transparency. The oils are blended carefully to help heal specific issues, from insomnia to stress to weak immunity and even digestive issues. Enfluerage even offers online classes to educate and make sure customers are getting the best results possible from their oils. Located in Orem, Utah, this company focuses on several layers of rigorous third-party testing to ensure efficiency and quality. All oils are tested by their on-site chemists before bottling to further ensure quality and purity. Beginner kits can be great gifts or an inexpensive way to explore various scents and uses for yourself. Anthropologie currently carries CAMPO and Vitruvi essential oil brands. Both lines use only 100 percent pure and organic oils with no additives. These oils are third-party tested for quality, they are sustainably sourced, cruelty-free in testing procedures, and contain zero fillers, chemicals, additives, or fragrances. The company offers detailed descriptions of their processing procedures and clearly labels all combinations of ingredients used in each scent. This is a great option when considering affordability in conjunction with good quality. This line is marketed as medicinal rather than as a fragrance. Each bottle is topped with nitrogen gas to prevent the oxidation process which can affect the quality of the oil during its shelf life. This company was founded on education and community and seeks to continue growth with these two goals as top priorities. This brand is unique because it focuses on all products being 100-percent clean, not just organic or all-natural. The website does a great job of informing the customer of all ingredients used and sustainable operating procedures employed. This brand is not only known for its quality, but for its stylish aesthetic as well. Good oil brands are very transparent about where the plants are grown, how they are sourced, how the oils are extracted, and the bottling process to ensure quality. High-quality brands employ certified aromatherapists and/or chemists to create oil combinations that will deliver the desired healing effects. Purity A quality oil is made from plants raised organically and contains zero additives. A good brand will provide information about their standard of quality, ingredients, and processing procedures. A high-quality brand will use multiple types of third-party testing to ensure quality. Oils and plants should be organic and 100-percent pure with no additives or chemicals. Price Reflects Quality Organic plants shipped from around the world and then carefully processed to increase quality is not a cheap process. The price will reflect this. If you find oils that seem remarkably cheap, chances are you’ve found a bottle of oily chemicals. In the world of essential oils, you most certainly get what you pay for. Education It is very important that you research each type of oil used and follow instructions carefully to avoid skin burns or irritations if used topically. Some oils are considered “hot oils” and must be diluted before topical use. A good company will offer in-depth education and instruction on each type of oil to ensure confident, effective, and safe use. A good oil company will provide education and instructions for the most effective and safe use for each and every type of oil it sells. Medicinal or Fragrance? Some oils are produced and marketed as medicinal and advertise healing properties for everything from migraines to digestive issues. Other oils are marketed as fragrances to be used on the skin or in a diffuser as a mood enhancer. This is an important distinction as oils used for fragrance only are not meant to be ingested.
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As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Mary K. Tatum, MS, LMHC, has worked with people struggling with depression, anxiety, and trauma for 17 years. Since going into private practice, she has always had either peppermint or lavender essential oils in her office. Mary chooses to use a diffuser in both the waiting room and the therapy office. The oil in the waiting room helps calm people before they begin to talk about difficult topics. She uses the scent of the oils in her therapy office to help with a technique called “grounding,” where the five senses help bring patients’ focus away from trauma and into the “here and now.” Personally, she uses peppermint scented essential oils in a diffuser in her own home to help with focus when working and to maintain a serene mood. Serenity has been her daily mantra over the last year.
