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As the popularity of essential oils grows, everyone wants to cash in on the market. Unfortunately, this brings the risk of unethical companies trying to make a quick buck off of unsuspecting and undiscerning customers.  There are certain qualities you need to look for in companies and their products when purchasing essential oils. Here are a few of the things you need to know in order to find safe and high-quality essential oils. Organic One of the most important qualities you should look for when checking out essential oils is to make sure the plants are grown organically. Products which are "USDA Organic" have been certified as organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Because essential oils are so highly concentrated, you want to be sure that the plants used were not grown with synthetic pesticides and herbicides, which are especially harmful in such large dosages. Undiluted Although you will dilute most essential oils in a carrier oil, you should buy your essential o...

All essential oils have a shelf life. Not all bottles indicate an expiry or "best before" date, though, so if you cannot find it, check with the manufacturer.  Here are some general rules you can follow to determine whether your essential oil is still fine for use, or whether you should throw it away. Expiry Dates Some essential oil manufacturers print the expiration date on their bottles. This gives you a clear indicator of how long you can use your oil. If you are buying essential oils from the store, look on the bottle to see when it expires, and choose the bottle with the furthest future expiry date if you don’t plan on using it quickly. Ask the individuals in the store if there is a way to find the date if it is not clearly marked.  Keep in mind that the oils you buy were not created on the day you bought them, so try to purchase your oils from a store or supplier that keeps their product moving regularly. In this way, you aren’t purchasing an essential oil that is alrea...

Essential oils are great to have on hand. They can be used for a variety of purposes. Here is a list of the ones you will want to have around, and what they can be used for. 1. Lavender oil  Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils. It can be used to help you sleep better, and give you fast relief when you have a sunburn. 2. Tea tree oil  Tea tree oil is great to have on hand for adding to vinegar and using the mixture to clean your home. It is antiviral, anti-fungal, antiseptic and antibiotic. 3. Chamomile oil Chamomile oil is great for relaxation. Roman chamomile is more gentle than German chamomile, so it can be used for young babies, and is often used in homemade diaper spray solutions to soothe diaper rash. 4. Eucalyptus oil Eucalyptus oil helps support respiratory health. Those suffering from asthma, bronchitis and even the common cold can benefit from diffusing this or applying it topically in diluted form. 5. Lemon oil Lemon oil is a great antibacterial a...