Best/reasonably priced oils online

[yellowstar171]

hello all

I'd like to invest in a few oils and a base oil, and was wondering where is the best online shop to purchase these and extra bottles etc?

Thank you!

P.S What do you recommend for my few oils? Was thinking of lavender as one, wheatgerm for a base oil....?

 

[Drixnot]

Hi Star04

If you go back over this Forum, this question is raised quite often - the last time you will find on http://www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=40448

As far as buying oils are concerned, as an aromatherapist, I would say it depends on how much you know about blending oils and their contraindications. I am always a bit wary of recommending oils to people I don't know (which is why we do consultations). Lavender is always a good oil to have as well as chamomile. Many others have contraindications if used in certain circumstances.

As I'm sure you are aware, they should be blended (usually 5% dilution - half of this for babies or children). I would not recommend you use essential oils on anyone who is pregnant.

Aromatherapists have their own favourites for base oils. Good staples are grapeseed or sweet almond (watch for nut allergies). Wheatgerm is quite thick and has a slight odour and only usually makes up about 5% of the blend to preserve it.

Lesley

 

[Mz Black]

Wheatgerm is not an oil I would recommend for a starter, it has some contraindications. Children, babies, the elderly and infirm should only have oils in a 0.5%-1% blend I was always taught, maybe being a wee bit cautious, but I always stick to that for safety!

With essential oils I feel you get what you pay for and I don't buy the cheapest. The Aromatherapy Trade Organisation have a website and they list all their approved suppliers.

 

[jenna b]

Thanks for your replies - I thought this must have been discussed many times before, but couldn't find a thread!

I've bought a couple of books on aromatherapy, and I know a lot of oils have contraindications, but I just wanted a couple of oils for practising massage on boyfriend/friends. I thought lavender and chamomile to be the safest all rounders, so wanted to mix these (as directed) in a base oil just to enhance the experience for my practice partners.

Is this ok, or should I just get a base oil and stick with that?

Is grapeseed oil the best all round base oil then?

Thanks again

 

[ClaJohaeii]

I would say that if you are just wanting to practise your massage technique, then start off with a base oil. I use grapeseed, but there are purists who won't because of the way it's extracted. But for ease of application (it is light and easily absorbed), it is probably a good one to start with.

Lesley

 

[A Pimp Named Slickback]

I'm intrigued - what do you mean by purists don't like the way it's extracted? I'm new to all this so all the info I can get is good!

Thanks

 

[animalluver!!!]

Ok Star, there was a post on carrier oils some months ago.

http://www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=16367&mpage=1&key=grapeseed&anchor#42724

Check it out and if you have any more questions, I would be happy to help (if I can).

Lesley

 

[Bec]

Hi Star04,

I had a squint at your profile and see you are intending doing courses in lots of therapies. As far as aroma goes, like others have said, its not really something you can have a bash at without knowing the properties and safety data for the oils. If you wait until you get on your course, you will probably find that the college have a favourite supplier who does good deals for students, I've stuck with the supplier I found through college as her stuff is excellent and Ive learned a lot from her as she came to college to do a talk and holds short CPD courses at her premises, so Ive gained much more from her than just a catalogue. (When you get there, its Anne at www.paaroma.co.uk)).
Also, if you curb your enthusiam just a bit for now, you won't get into any 'bad habits' which you will have to be un-trained from later (posture, blending percentages, etc).
Keep reading though - Patricia Davies is a good place to start.
Good luck!

 

[Tamara]

http://www.baseformula.com/index.htm is a good online place for oils and other things as well

Rakhee

 

[leegfuzpianigfezp]

Studying aromatherapy is great. You can understand blending, which is quite an art. Using oils without training isn't really advised. For example, Bergamot is phototoxic and so if you applied this and then did a bit of sunbathing well....

In terms of suppliers, my tutor at my ex-college who has been practising aromatherapy linked to a GP clinic for many years, recommended Natural Touch. She said 'they are not the cheapest, not the most expensive, but I've never had an adverse reaction yet'. Each oil comes with a certificate. What's more, if you ever become a student, they offer a discount (I think about 10 or 20%).
Tracey

 

[Isha]

i prefer sweet almond myself... its a little lighter than grapeseed and only a tad more expensive.

it all comes down to personal preference.

if it helps... i got interested by going on a non vocational evening class course for a term. i reckon you get enough info to be able to use safe oils on friends and family.