To go organic or not

[Munch]

I'm qualified in Aromatherapy but tend to do alot of swedish massage. I'm wanting to get back into aromatherapy and need to build up my box of essential oils again. I'm debating - do I go fully organic or stick to the realatively cheaper non-organic essential oils? I partly wanted to go organic from a marketing angle (maybe that makes me sound kinda shallow). On the other hand I was thinking of stating off with non-organic oils and if there's enough demand for aromatherapy then switching later to organic essential oils. I've been looking through previous posts about oils and have been comparing prices on www.quinessence.com and a site someone told me about today called www.nhrorganicoils.co.uk Do any of you use only organic essential oils?

 

[Monster93]

Hi Essence,

As a qualified aromatherapist you will know that this question is all about quality. If you are planning to do therapeutic massage with oils, then honestly, you should stick to organic, therapeutic grade oils. - You can literally smell the difference between these and the pre-diluted synthetic non-organic oils, which as a result lose many of the properties of the pure grade oils, e.g. synthetic lavender = 4 properties, organic lavender (lavendula angustofolia) = 22 properties, lavendin = 14 properties.

Non-Organic oils conversely are great for a relaxing sweedish massage with oils, where you are not looking for all the added benefits of therapy, but purely for added relaxation.

And you are absolutely right about the cost. So the question then is about which clientele are you looking to service, the lower or top end of the market.

So you may like to clarify your reasons for turning back to aromatherapy, and this then should inform your choice.

NB. Have pm'd you.

 

[Henry Spencer]

Hello Essence

As Maceuk advises, the quality and properties are 'essential' considerations whenever selecting suppliers of oils. I recently 'graduated' to undertaking treatments for fee paying clients, on a part-time basis, and the therapist that is affording me the opportunity has also strongly advised on judicious choice of supplier as she advised the difference in dealing with 'conditions' is remarkable.

If any others can elaborate further on this topic, especially in terms of "properties and theraputic benefits" then i'd be interested

Anxious

 

[Eriugjksflv Egiojrfks]

Anxious,

The best way is to getfor example, 2 bottles of eucalyptus (use the same species: eg globulus or radiata)- a cheap non-organic bottleand the same organic oil. Smell the difference, andnotice exactly how each one makes you feel. (You could go to a store that sells both grades of oil, and do the test there if they have samplers).
When you do this test it is important to test the non-organic oil first.

Try this with a couple of oils - and then you will internally know the difference.

 

[Richard B]

Hi I was in a similar situation to you asix months ago, I was starting out as an aromatherapist and felt torn between organic or non organic oils. I felt sure that I really wanted to use organic oils but they were so much more expensive especially as i had to buy a full kit. The thing to convince me was that i bought a bottle of organic ylang ylang oil, I already had a non organic bottle. When i opened the organic one i couldnt believe the difference in the smell, it was absolutely gorgeous and did not cause the headachey sickly feeling that ordinary ylang ylang sometimes gave me. I went on to buy all organic oils and I am so glad I did, my clients often say that they came to me specifically because I use organic oils. If it helps I use NHR oils which are wonderful, I usually get them from [link=http://www.organictherapies.co.uk]www.organictherapies.co.uk[/link] because they have free postage. Sorry its such a long post but hope it gives you another view point.

Luv Sarahb