Most everyone on social media has heard buzz about essential oils. It’s becoming the new, more natural approach to treating everything from bug bites to upset stomachs and beyond. But sometimes all the information can be so overwhelming! And often, it’s hard to know who to trust in the essential oil world.
When I first starting hearing about essential oils about 5 years ago, I was too afraid to give it a try. I didn’t know what to use, how to use it and what would be worth my money. I was wanting to be cautious with my use because I knew oils were potent but couldn’t find someone to advise me. I wasn’t sure how to pick a place to buy from either. As a natural skeptic, I didn’t even know if these oils would work.
Thankfully, as I’ve researched various facts and myths on essential oils, as well as looked into a variety of essential oil companies, I’ve become comfortable using oils and knowing how to use them safely. I also found a great company that is trustworthy and promotes safe use of essential oils for the whole family. Here are some tips for choosing an essential oil company, and who we chose, in the end.
Choosing an Essential Oils Company
When it comes to picking an essential oils company, there are a few things to consider.
The Quality Control Process of the Company
It’s important to know if the oils you are purchasing are pure and authentic. Are there any additives or “fillers” in the oils? Or are they as pure of a blend as possible? This affects the quality of the oils.
Where is the supplier of the oils located? How does the company gather their oils? If your oil company’s suppliers are required to meet specific quality guidelines, this helps ensure safety of the oil’s effect on your body.
Does the company check the oils that the supplier provides? When the company checks the oils themselves first hand and also has a third-party test the oils, this provides a buffer and extra assurance of quality.
Does the company have a chemist and aromatherapist employed and/or available for consult? These people are trained in their craft and so they can make sure the oils are properly prepared and used, much like a good doctor would oversee care of a group of patients in a hospital, checking to be sure everything is being handled correctly.
How Transparent is the Company about its Processes?
When companies seem to want to exploit their customers rather than really help, or when they are less than open about their practices and processes, it’s hard to trust them. Having a company who you can ask to provide specific details about each of their oils is an important part of choosing who you buy essential oils from!
How Pure are the Essential Oils?
Sometimes buying cheaper oils can seem like a better deal but often these oils can contain “adulterants” or additives which dilutes the quality and effectiveness of the oil. When essential oils are properly handled and tested, and when we have full access to that information, it makes the decision about what to use easier because you know it is safe.
It’s also important to know that there is no federal standard for purity–therefore each essential oil company creates their own standard. I hesitate every time a company says they are the ONLY resource for pure oils…according to their own information. Here is some information on how essential oil companies produce a quality product.
There are several good sources for pure essential oils but a company making grand claims while putting down other groups sends up a bad signal for me.
How Does the Company Tell You to Use the Oils?
I became immediately suspicious the first time someone told me to ingest my essential oils. Even more so, it alarmed me because the person was not an aromatherapist nor had they had any training in essential oil use.
Be cautious if you are flippantly told to use oils in large amounts at one time or to ingest them. Essential oils are very potent and should be used with careful consideration as to the proper, safe application.
For instance, a 15 ml bottle of Peppermint takes 1 pound of peppermint plant material. There are 300 drops in a 15 ml bottle. One drop of peppermint oil is essentially equal to 28 cups of peppermint tea! (source)
It’s so essential (no pun intended ;) ) to choose a company that can give you safe recommendations on using oils with your family and in your home.
What is the Company’s History?
Is this a company that has a proven record of ethical practices and consistent customer service? Is the company seemingly involved in controversy or are they shown to make wise choices with their business? This is something to consider with any business we associate with anyway! :)
The Essential Oil Company We Chose and Why
I used to order oils off of Amazon. And while I don’t think those oils were bad, they didn’t seem to have the desired effect I was looking for, because they were not pure but instead contained weak fillers. And there was no one I could easily ask about how to use them!
A couple of times I purchased from a MLM distributor (think Young Living and DoTerra) but I was uncomfortable with the high prices, the pressure to become a distributor and the liberal use of oils that was recommended without any guidance as to whether or not they were safe.
A couple of years ago, a blogging friend mentioned a company called Native American Nutritionals. She liked them because they advocated safe use of oils (no ingestion and proper dilution) and were very open about their testing practices.
They also provided a direct-to-consumer approach, meaning they were not a multi level marketing company with distributors who were rewarded for signing up people underneath them. I have no problem with people participating in these companies…but it wasn’t an arrangement under which I wanted to purchase and learn to use my oils.
I ordered a few of their oils and was impressed with the quality and effectiveness. They also had wonderful customer service! I had a problem with one of my bottles leaking and they replaced it immediately, no questions asked.
A couple of years ago, NAN was merged with Rocky Mountain Oils, a trusted direct-to-consumer company that never has and never will utilize multi-level-marketing to sell any products. Because of this, the company is able to provide pure essential oils at a value-rich price. This important commitment is the core of their vision.
Our experience with Rocky Mountain Oils has been equally amazing. They’ve answered questions for me regarding use of oils (by consulting their on-call expert who is trained in aromatherapy) and have provided ideas and simple recipes for us to use with our family so we can make the most of our purchases.
And I really, really love their 100% guarantee…not to mention free shipping on their website (because seriously, that is one of the biggest draws for me when it comes to online purchases!).
Their oils are effective. They well-educate their customers on safe use. They have a fabulous committment to quality without any MLM-like pressure. And the company is really about the customer, which is at the heart of every successful business :)
Everyone is free to choose what oil company they will use and there is no problem in choosing something different! But in the experience I’ve had with several essential oils companies, Rocky Mountain Oils has become our go-to source because of all the things I’ve shared with you. They’ve passed my tests :)
In short, five of the reasons I love Rocky Mountain Oils are:
- The company promotes safe use of oils
- No membership required
- I don’t have to buy a certain amount of product each month
- High quality oils with testing results that you can request to see
- Free shipping with a 90 day money back guarantee!
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Rocky Mountain Oils just released a new Kids Line of essential oil roller blends! If you aren’t sure what oils to use on your kids or how to be sure they are safe, these roller bottles take out all the guesswork! They are specially formulated for a variety of needs (sleep, concentration, “owie” treatment and more) and are already combined at a safe dilution level for children. Each bottle gives you quick instructions on how to use the blend.
We got to try the oils before they were available to the public. Our favorites so far have been Counting Sheep for our 10 year old who sometimes struggles to fall asleep, Ouchie for all our scrapes and scratches and Breathe for our 5 year old’s cold!
Check out the Kids Line–Each oil can be purchased separately, as well as in a set! I guarantee your family will find them incredibly helpful and easy to use.
If you’d like to learn more about using essential oils with your kids but aren’t sure where to start, I’d love to help you!
Learn the safe and effective way to use them, plus get lots of simple recipes and ideas that will give you confidence in applying what you’ve learned so that your family can benefit from essential oils!
Take My Getting Started Guide to Using Essential Oils with Kids eCourse!
If you’re wanting to give essential oils a try for your family but don’t want to buy any before you know how you can actually use them, or if you have a few oils in your cabinet but have little idea what to do with them when it comes to kids, I’d encourage you to sign up for my Getting Started Guide to Using Essential Oils for Children eCourse!
What Will You Learn in this Course About Essential Oils for Kids?
Some of the things you’ll learn in the course:
- Safe use of oils based on age
- How to apply them for maximum effectiveness
- The three most versatile oils and how to use them
- How to dilute, diffuse and apply oils so they work
- Simple recipes that you can easily DIY for cleaning and health
There is NO MLM required to take this course. I have a company from whom I purchase our oils (which is not an MLM*) but you can use any kind of oils you prefer as long as they are good quality oils (see this post for more tips on how to make sure).
I would LOVE to have you join me so that you can have confidence in using essential oils safely and effectively with your children!
*An MLM is a multi-level marketing company, where distributors work for a larger company through which they sell items at a tiered commission rate. In the essential oil world, these would include DoTerra and Young Living.
*FDA disclaimer: “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.”
**I am not a medical professional, just a mom who likes to help her kids with essential oils. Please consult your doctor before using essential oils!
Just a heads up….
Essential oils can be very controversial! My post is not a place to use harsh words of criticism or promote your own essential oils business. Any comments of that nature will be deleted :)
WANT TO SPEAK WITH GRACE TO YOUR KIDS INSTEAD OF YELLING?
