Aromatherapy oils are very popular for beauty and health, but many brands are sold in excessive packaging (and some brands also sell unsustainable oils like rosewood, which is from a critically endangered tree).
Never pour neat essential oils down sinks or drains. Avoid lemon oil before sunbathing and keep bottles away from naked flames/ignitions. Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing and affected medical conditions, and also don’t use near babies or pets (if using as diffusers, air rooms before allowing pets back in, and don’t use if pets sleep on your bed, as their livers can’t break them down like us, especially cats).
If using for oil burners, ensure lit candle flame does not touch the bottom of the reservoir and don’t let foreign materials sit in molten eax, and blow out once water and oil has evaporated (do not leave unattended or place near flammables like curtains).
Planet Detox essential oils (Devon) are different in that instead of being wrapped in plastic-wrapped packaging with plastic pipettes, they are housed in cardboard boxes with cork stoppers. Cork does not require trees to be cut down, and keeping the cork industry alive helps to protect Mediterranean forests from development. These oils are sold in several scents including eucalyptus, rose geranium, lavender and tea tree. The simplest way to use essential oils is simply to add a few drops to a warm bath.
Clarity Blend (Berkshire) is a company created by a couple from the Bulgarian countryside. The glass and bamboo bottles have rubber-capped glass pipettes and metal roller balls. All delivered with easy-to-recycle filling and biodegradable peanut pellets. Mix 5 to 6 drops of essential oil to 30ml of carrier oil.
Rather than use essential oils in cars, replace toxic ‘tree’ air fresheners with charcoal bags to absorb odours (can even remove cigarette smoke). Scent-free probiotic sprays are safer than essential oils near babies and pets.
The simplest way to use aromatherapy oils is to swish a few drops in a warm bath, or add a few drops to base oil to use as a massage oil. For areas safe to use essential oils (see above), this plastic-free diffuser needs no heat or water and has a scent intensity control button and automatic switch-off.
how essential oils can heal
Just the Essentials is a wonderful guide by the founder of a natural beauty company (she also wrote a great book on natural skincare using kitchen ingredients), on how essential oils work, and how to use them to heal skin. Adina Grigore was a real skeptic and changed her mind after studying them. This fresh fun guide is a good read, and also includes safety guidelines and DIY recipes.
