Favourite essential oil

[StripyPixieSocks]

Current favourite blend is Lemon and Lavender for cleaning and general house freshness... I think Lavender is my fave single oil.

I don't know enough about them to make a good blend for personal use..... I'll watch this topic with interest.

Lemon and Lavender is a lovely combination!

I couldn't say I had a favourite really, I like flowery fragrances, woody or citrus.

My oil burner usually has Rosemary in it, an odd fragrance according to most people but I love it's clean woody scent... either that or something like Jasmine or Bergamot.

I do love lavender on its own as well. The only one I don't like is Ylang Ylang as it gives me a raging headache

[JillStephens7]

oh so many choices!

Have put cypress & orange on pinecones every room for winter lovelines (downstairs loo much improved for this ). Alas have run out of black pepper, another winter favourite.

I was bought a massage treatment when I was grieving and the aromatherapist mixed up frankincence, orange and clary sage and that's still my favourite 'comfort blanket' blend.

Peppermint and lavender mixed with bicarb in a shaker for bathroom cleaning at the mo. So fresh : )

Lemon & tea tree for kitchen.

Hurrah for essential oils

[sleepyowl]

My favourite oil has to be rose otto, but only when I'm feeling like in real need of pampering as it is rather expensive. I tend to use lavender a lot as it is hugely useful. Favourite blend is frankincense, geranium & lemon

[JustInCase]

I have a number of favourites, depending upon what mood I'm in.

I use Lemon a lot for cleaning, I burn Bergamot for a pick me up, as perfume I use Jasmine, in my bath I tend to use Lavender/Rosemary.

I also love Frankincense, Myrrh, Clary Sage, Neroli, Rose, Sandalwood, Geranium. I'm sure I could go on and on.

[countrygirl]

Essential oils are not something i use very often. I intend on using them a little more after reading their uses on this thread. It may sound a daft question but are there better quality oils than others?
Can anyone suggest an online supplier?

[frozenthunderbolt]

Essential oils are not something i use very often. I intend on using them a little more after reading their uses on this thread. It may sound a daft question but are there better quality oils than others?
Can anyone suggest an online supplier?

I'm not sure about other countries, but in nz at least if a bottle is marked "essential oil" it can contain nothing but the pure and natural oil of the herb. the other two classifications are "fragrent oil" and "perfumed oil" one of which refers to an essential oil mixed with a carrier oil, and the other to synthetic (man made reproductions of) essential oils, but i cant remember which label apply's to which definition.

Personally, i would not use any thing but a true essential oil in contact with my body (note: there are very few oils safe to use neat - almost all should be diluted in some way depending on the oil, and the method and site of application).
ON the other hand i do use some synthetic oils in my burner occasionally just for the smell - i wouldn't if i was richer but im not . . .

[bonniethomas06]

These all sound great! I am inspired.

But please can you just clarify:

Where is the best place to get these oils? Only having been to the Body Shop once, I did find they were very expensive; and

How do you use them in washing? do you put them in the machine? Instead of conditioner?

Thanks, this is an interesting thread.

Bonnie

[Susiwaa]

I love lavender, like most of you!

Also find patchouli nice and relaxing.

I really don't use my oils enough. Studied aromatherapy and massage a few years ago but as with everything, put it all down for 5 minutes and its almost forgotten about. Something else to add to the 2010 list I think!



Susi
x

[Green Aura]

Good quality oils aren't cheap Bonnie.

I buy my oils from 2 main sources - for my soaps etc I get them from Essential Oils Direct. For my aromatology treatments I only buy from Penny Price. She's very expensive but I know that her oils are fantastic quality, fully tested and I can get all the info I need for each oil. So it's worth the extra cost.

[ElizabethBinary]

For romantic times with my partner, I chose a blend of lavender and ylangylang with just a hint of sandalwood... it goes great in shared bubble baths with some wine (and a beer for the boy). Or as a burner during a candlelit dinner.

For my laundry, I make my own soaps with no smell so I drop some rose oil on a rag into the wash.

For cleaning I just use lemons or oranges.

My house smells like food.

[sleepyowl]

There are some that are better quality than others, but even some at the slightly cheaper end of the market are decent enough, I tend to buy mine through a trade supplier, which is cheaper but you do need to buy over a certain amount but seeing as though I'm a holistic therapist that is never an issue. A lot of things can affect the quality of the oils, some years yeild better crops than others depending on weather etc. Best bet is to shop around none chain stores are often cheaper especially Witchcraft shops

[Jessiebean]

I use grapefruit in my all purpose cleaning spray, lavender on my duster (which makes it sound like I dust often.. I don't) Rosemary and clary sage in my oil cleaning mix (but can be a bit dryingon my cheeks) and my favourite blend for my burner is from a local aromatherapist - itis a relaxation blend-lavender, marjoram, patchouli, mandarin, geranium and chamomile- it is earthy and refreshing at the same time and clears my sinuses too!
THe aromatherapist sells her former testers and not quite full bottles of oil for $5 or 3 for $10 (approximately GBP 2.80 or three for GBP8.00 ish!) so I am lucky to be able to get pure good quality oils so cheap.
I am enjoying reading about other's favourites.

[Jessiebean]

it must have been late when I wrote my last post judging form the appalling typos. $10 is a bit over 4 quid.

[sleepyowl]

Rosemary and clary sage in my oil cleaning mix (but can be a bit dryingon my cheeks)

Clary sage is not meant to be used on the face, yes it can dry your skin, but it is also rubifacient (causes reddening of the skin)
Oils safe to use on the face;
lavender
rosemary
rose
sandalwood
frankincense
geranium
jasmine
chamomile
ylang-ylang