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100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 2
Contents

Introduction 4

Top 25 Diffuser Blends 5

Top 5 Storage Tips 7

Top 5 Carrier Oil Tips 8

Top 10 Safety Tips 9

Top 10 Household Tips 11

Top 5 Bath & Body Oil Blends 13

How to Make Aromatherapy Roller Blends 15

Top 5 Roller Blends 17

How to Make Personal Aromatherapy Inhalers 18

Top 5 Inhaler Blends 21

How to Make Aromatherapy Room Sprays 22

Top 5 Room Spray Blends 26

How to Make Aromatherapy Lip Balm 27

Top 5 Lip Balm Blends 29

Top 10 Truths about Essential Oils 30

Top 10 Ways to Spot Fake Essential Oils 36

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 3
Introduction

Thank you for downloading 100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends.

My aim was to put together a useful collection of tips and recipes suitable for

all users of essential oils, including beginners.

I hope you will find the information helpful for making your own

aromatherapy products at home. These recipes make fabulous gifts for

friends and family, and they’re all designed to be QUICK, EASY and

AFFORDABLE to make.

Best of all, you probably have most of the ingredients at home in your

cupboards already. All the suggested blends use the most popular essential

oils, so you’re more likely to already have them in your own collection.

I have also included some tips about storage and safety, along with some

myth-busting information about essential oils and the aromatherapy industry.

Enjoy!

The English Aromatherapist

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 4
Top 25 Diffuser Blends

One of the most popular ways to enjoy essential oils is by diffusing them into

the air. Here are some of my favourite diffuser blends!

Name Essential Oils (no. drops)

1 Relax & Unwind 3 Petitgrain, 2 Clary Sage, 2 Cypress, 1 Lemon

2 Herbal Happiness 2 Bergamot, 2 Chamomile, 2 Clary Sage, 1 Patchouli

3 Grounding 2 Frankincense, 2 Lavender, 2 Pine

4 Blow the Cobwebs 2 Eucalyptus, 2 Lemon, 2 Peppermint

5 Focus & Study 2 Basil, 2 Lemon, 2 Rosemary

6 Uplifting & Fresh 4 Lavender, 2 Lemon, 1 Grapefruit

7 Sensuality 4 Bergamot, 2 Jasmine, 1 Clary Sage

8 Purify 2 Lemon, 2 Lime, 2 Tea Tree

9 Sweet Citrus 3 Grapefruit, 2 Sweet Orange, 1 Ylang Ylang

10 Deep Calm 4 Lemon, 2 Pine, 1 Frankincense, 1 Patchouli

11 Stay Focused 3 Lemon, 1 Black Pepper, 1 Eucalyptus

12 Herby Fresh 3 Lemon, 1 Marjoram, 1 Rosemary

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 5
13 Anti-Anxious 2 Bergamot, 2 Grapefruit, 2 Lavender

14 Autumn Spice 2 Ginger, 2 Sweet Orange, 1 Cinnamon

1 Cinnamon, 1 Clove, 1 Juniper, 1 Pine, 1 Sweet


15 Christmas Joy
Orange

16 Winter Woodland 2 Cedarwood, 1 Eucalyptus, 1 Pine

17 Sleepy Time 4 Lavender, 1 Vetiver

1 Frankincense, 1 Patchouli, 1 Sandalwood, 1 Sweet


18 Soothing
Orange

19 Festive Baking 2 Cinnamon, 1 Lemon, 1 Ginger

20 Spiced Pie 2 Cinnamon, 2 Clove, 2 Ginger

21 Sweet Romance 2 Patchouli, 2 Ylang Ylang, 1 Lemon

22 Floral Spice 2 Cardamom, 1 Geranium, 1 Sweet Orange

23 Citrus Heaven 2 Grapefruit, 2 Lemon, 2 Sweet Orange, 1 Bergamot

24 Tension Tamer 2 Geranium, 2 Lavender, 1 Clary Sage

25 Calming Influence 2 Chamomile, 2 Marjoram, 1 Lemon

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 6
Top 5 Storage Tips

1. Correct storage is vital to maximize the life of your essential oils. They

should be stored in a cool, dry place with lids tightly closed. Experts

recommend storing essential oils in the fridge, inside a sealed

container.

2. Never decant undiluted essential oils into plastic bottles, as they can

interact with the plastic and cause damage. Dark-coloured (amber or

blue) glass bottles are ideal, and help to protect essential oils from UV

light.

3. Remember to keep essential oils out of the reach of children and pets.

In the event of accidental ingestion, seek immediate medical advice.

4. Most essential oils will last 2-5 years, if not longer. Citrus oils are the

exception, which will start to lose their strength a few months after

opening.

5. Use coloured sticky dots to label the lids of your essential oil bottles

according to their note – red for top notes, yellow for middle notes and

green for base notes. Write the name of the oil on each dot, so you

can quickly select oils when they are stored upright.

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 7
Top 5 Carrier Oil Tips

1. Sweet almond is a versatile and useful carrier oil, but it is not suitable

for those with a nut allergy.

2. Avoid using mineral oil (e.g. baby oil) as a carrier for essential oils.

Mineral oils are not natural products and, therefore, will not blend well

with essential oils.

3. Carrier oils are sometimes called ‘base oils’. This is different to ‘base

notes’, which relates to the aromatic notes of essential oils.

4. A carrier oil with a bitter smell may have become rancid and should not

be used on the skin. The shelf life of most carrier oils is around 1-2

years.

5. Fractionated coconut oil is a type of carrier oil that is commonly used in

roller blends. As it is refined, it is always liquid at room temperature –

unlike raw virgin coconut oil, which is solid at room temperature and

melts at around 24 degrees C (76 F).

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 8
Top 10 Safety Tips

1. Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil before applying to the skin.

As a general guideline, a 2% dilution is sufficient (4-5 drops of

essential oils per 10ml carrier oil).

2. Most citrus oils are phototoxic, which means they can cause an

increased reaction to sunlight. After using these oils, you should avoid

the sun and UV light for 24-48 hours. Some commonly used phototoxic

oils include bergamot, grapefruit, lemon and lime.

3. Do not use essential oils on, or around, the eyes. Take care not to

handle contact lenses or rub your eyes while essential oil is on your

fingers. In the event that essential oil enters your eye, rinse with

carrier oil or saline solution and seek medical advice if necessary.

4. An aromatherapy bath is a wonderful experience, but it is not a good

idea to add undiluted essential oils to the water. Always dilute your

drops of essential oils in carrier oil (or milk) before adding to the bath.

5. Always do your research before using any essential oil, as some may

not be suitable to use in certain circumstances. The safety of any

essential oil will vary according to a person’s age, skin type and

medical condition.

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 9
6. It is advisable to avoid using essential oils when pregnant, particularly

in the first trimester. Some oils are considered to be unsafe to use

during pregnancy. If in doubt, always consult a certified

aromatherapist.

7. It is not advisable to use essential oils topically (on the skin) on

children under the age of 2. After this point, they can be used with

caution. Only choose child-safe oils, with a low dilution of 0.5-1%

(approximately 2-5 total drops of essential oil per 20ml carrier oil).

8. Do not take essential oils internally. Many consumable products do

contain essential oils, but these are in minuscule quantities that are not

harmful to health. You should not ingest essential oils unless under the

care of a clinical aromatherapist.

9. Always purchase essential oils from a reputable supplier. For use in

aromatherapy, essential oils should be 100% pure and unadulterated.

Artificial fragrance oils are only suitable for using in burners and should

not be applied to the skin.

10. Do not diffuse essential oils continuously throughout the day. This can

lead to headaches, nausea, light-headedness or other side-effects. As a

general guideline, diffuse for around 30 minutes and then take a

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 10
break. Ensure the room is adequately ventilated, and take extra care if

children or pets are around.

Top 10 Household Tips

1. For fresh-scented towels, add up to five drops of essential oil to a small

piece of terry cloth and place in your tumble-dryer machine before

switching on.

2. Add 4-5 drops of lemon essential oil to a cotton wool ball and place

inside shoes to freshen overnight.

3. Revitalize pot pourri by adding a few drops of essential oils and mixing

together – floral, citrus and spice oils are good choices.

4. Deter mice and spiders from entering your home by placing a few

drops of peppermint essential oil around the base of your door frame.

5. Freshen up carpets by mixing 10 drops of lavender essential oil with

500g baking soda. Sprinkle all over the carpet and leave for a few

hours (or overnight) before vacuuming.

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 11
6. For shiny mirrors and windows, mix 10 drops of orange or lemon

essential oil with 1 cup of distilled water and 1 cup of vinegar. Spray

onto surfaces and wipe clean for a grease-free finish.

7. For a housework boost, add a few drops of uplifting essential oils to a

cotton wool ball and vacuum up to release aromas as you work!

8. Undiluted lemon essential oil acts as an effective solvent to remove

sticky stains and residues – add one drop, and it should rub away

easily.

9. For an easy diffusing tip, just add a few drops of essential oils on to a

cotton pad and rest on your desk or nightstand. The aroma will

naturally evaporate into the room.

10. Make your own scented stationery by adding a few drops of essential

oils to a cotton wool ball, and place inside a zip-lock bag with some

sheets of writing paper. Allow to infuse for a few days before using.

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 12
Top 5 Bath & Body Oil Blends

Making your own aromatherapy body and bath oils is super easy, very

rewarding and MUCH more affordable than buying luxury brands! Homemade

aromatherapy oils make a truly special gift for friends and family, especially

as you can totally customise each one to suit the individual person. With

some pretty packaging, I think it beats a store-bought bath oil hands down.

These recipes make aromatherapy oils that can be used in three ways: as a

massage oil, a body moisturiser, or a bath oil.

I’ve included my Top 5 blends here, but you can enjoy experimenting with

different scents to find a fragrance you love. The important thing is to make

sure your essential oils are properly diluted in a carrier oil. As a rule,

aromatherapists prefer to use a 2% dilution — this means adding a total of 4-

5 drops of essential oils per 10ml of carrier oil. This ratio can be easily scaled

up or down accordingly, so for 100ml of carrier oil you would add 40-50 drops

of essential oils.

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 13
If you would like to learn more about how to blend essential oils, why not

download my book How to Blend Essential Oils? This contains everything you

need to know about the blending process, including detailed index tables for

40 of the most popular essential oils, plus extensive lists of oils to help with

50 common ailments.

The following recipes are designed to be blended with 100ml carrier oil of

your choice. Grapeseed and sweet almond oil are good options for beginners.

Name Essential Oils (no. drops per 100ml carrier oil)

15 Lavender
1 Soothing Floral 15 Geranium
10 Ylang Ylang

20 Juniper
2 Muscular Ease 15 Rosemary
15 Lavender

15 Clary Sage
10 Fennel
3 Relaxing Herbal 5 Bergamot
5 Geranium
5 Lavender

24 Mandarin
4 Drift Off 8 Clary Sage
8 Roman Chamomile

15 Roman Chamomile
10 Geranium
5 De-Stress
10 Ylang Ylang
5 Bergamot

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 14
How to Make Aromatherapy Roller Blends

Everyone is loving roller blends right now, and it’s easy to see why! They’re a

fun and convenient way to enjoy essential oils on the move – and the perfect

size to pop in your handbag.

When you’re busy, you don’t always have time to mix a blend from scratch.

Making your own roller blend means you can simply roll on a small amount

whenever you need to – in a convenient pre-diluted form. Most roller blends

are in 10ml glass bottles, with a little ball at the top that allows a small

amount of oil to be rolled on to the skin.

Despite what you might read online, it’s NOT a good idea to use drops of neat

essential oils on your skin straight from the bottle. Essential oils should always

be diluted in carrier oil before being applied to the skin. This is why roller

blends are so popular – you can simply roll and go!

Ingredients:

10ml carrier oil (e.g. sweet almond or grapeseed oil)

4-5 drops essential oils

Empty glass 10ml rollerball bottle

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 15
Method:

1. Fill a clean, dry roller bottle with 10ml carrier oil (leaving a small gap at

the top for your essential oils)

2. Add your drops of essential oils into the bottle

3. Snap on the rollerball to the top of the bottle, then screw on lid

4. Shake the bottle to disperse the essential oils evenly into the carrier oil

5. Add a label, so you don’t forget what’s in there!

Tips:

 To use: Roll directly on to pulse points or where needed

 Always check the safety advice before using any essential oil on the

skin – particularly phototoxic oils e.g. bergamot

 Avoid getting water in the bottle

 Roller bottles can be sterilised and re-used

 Store in a cool, dry place

 Do not use on sensitive, broken or irritated skin

 For children: use 1-2 drops of essential oil per 10ml carrier oil

 Shelf life depends on the carrier oil and essential oils used, but it’s

probably best used within a few months

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 16
Top 5 Roller Blends

Name Essential Oils (no. drops per 10ml carrier oil)

2 Grapefruit
1 Uplifting 2 Lemon
1 Rosemary

2 Frankincense
2 Relaxing 2 Lavender
1 Marjoram

3 Lavender
3 Head Relief
2 Peppermint

2 Eucalyptus
4 Breathe 2 Peppermint
1 Lemon

2 Lavender
5 Time to Sleep 1 Roman Chamomile
1 Neroli

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 17
How to Make Personal Aromatherapy Inhalers

Personal aromatherapy inhaler sticks are so popular — and it's easy to see

why! These cute pocket-sized tubes of joy are:

 Easy to use

 Suitable for adults and children

 Discreet for using in public places

 Super-quick to make

 Affordable

 Easily personalised

 Portable

Personal inhaler sticks are also ideal for enjoying essential oils without

disturbing others — such as in the workplace or where it's unsuitable to use a

diffuser that fills the whole room. Some essential oils shouldn't be diffused

around pets and children, so these personal inhalers are perfect for a

localised aromatherapy boost.

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 18
How to make:

It's so simple to make your own aromatherapy inhaler. You'll need to buy

some empty plastic inhaler sticks — these are easily available online (try

Amazon or eBay). The inhaler comes in four parts: a cotton stick, an inner

shell, an outer shell and a seal cap.

All you need to do is saturate the cotton stick with 10-20 drops of your

chosen essential oil(s). You might find it easier to add the drops of essential

oils directly into a small glass bowl, then add the cotton wick and let the oils

completely absorb before inserting into the inhaler.

Then, insert the cotton stick into the inner shell and snap on the seal cap.

Tightly screw on the outer shell to prevent the scent from drying out. And

that's it! Super easy!

Your choice of essential oils will entirely depend on what you want to

achieve — if you're feeling anxious, you might want a stress-relieving blend.

If you're feeling tired, you might benefit from a fresh, uplifting scent. If you're

full of a cold, a decongestant blend can bring relief.

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 19
You can decorate the outer shell however you like — patterned sticky tape

works well, or you could use adhesive labels.

How to use:

To use the inhaler, simply unscrew the outer shell and inhale the beautiful

scent, before replacing the cap. You might find it more effective to use one

finger to close each nostril before inhaling, and vice versa.

When to use:

The beauty of aromatherapy inhalers is that you can use them any time,

anywhere! They're the perfect size to pop in your pocket or handbag, for

whenever you need an aromatherapy boost!

Safety:

I’ve included my Top 5 inhaler blends here, but it's really up to you and your

own personal preferences. If you're making inhalers for children, it's

important to make sure you're using oils are that child-safe (use a good

aromatherapy book for reference). Always check the safety data before using

any essential oils.

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 20
Top 5 Inhaler Blends

Name Essential Oils (no. drops per inhaler)

4 Bergamot
1 Anxiety Relief 4 Frankincense
4 Roman Chamomile

6 Lavender
2 Soothe & Calm 6 Mandarin
3 Roman Chamomile

8 Grapefruit
4 Lavender
3 Perk Me Up
4 Rosemary
2 Lemon

5 Bergamot
4 Brain Boost 5 Lemon
5 Rosemary

6 Lime
5 Revitalizing 6 Sweet Orange
5 Peppermint

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 21
How to Make Aromatherapy Room Sprays

A lovely way to enjoy essential oils is by making your own aromatherapy

room sprays. These days, we’re becoming increasingly aware of the hidden

dangers present in commercial air fresheners. It’s not surprising that more

and more people are turning to natural alternatives to use around the home.

These room sprays can be used to refresh and deodorise the air – handy for

odorous kitchen smells, or teenage bedrooms! The beauty of making your

own is that you can customise the scent to your personal preferences – plus,

it can be as strong or as subtle as you like!

The key thing to remember is that any homemade products that contain

water (or water-based components, such as hydrosols) must be kept

refrigerated and used within a couple of weeks.

Unlike oil blends, any water-based products will quickly become a rich

breeding ground for bacteria unless you add a preservative. For personal

use, I always recommend mixing up small batches and using them quickly.

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 22
After a couple of weeks, you should dispose of any remaining product.

Remember, just because it looks fine, and smells fine, it can be full of harmful

bacteria that are invisible to the naked eye.

Some online recipes advise adding drops of essential oils to plain water, and

shaking to combine. But – as we all know – oil and water don’t happily mix. A

more effective method is to first combine the drops of essential oils with

alcohol – this emulsifies the essential oils, allowing them to disperse more

easily in the water. In addition, the alcohol helps the scent of the spray to

linger for longer.

The strength of aromatherapy room sprays will vary according to personal

preference. This recipe is for a standard 2% strength blend, which contains

20 drops of essential oils in 50ml room spray. For a more subtle scent, you

may wish to halve this amount (1% = 10 drops of essential oils in 50ml).

You can use whichever essential oils you like in your room spray. I've included

a couple of recipes to get you started here, but you can enjoy experimenting

to find a scent you really love! Remember, some essential oils are potential

irritants and/or sensitizers, and should not be used in high concentration.

Always consult a reputable aromatherapy book for safety advice.

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 23
Ingredients:

To make a 50ml aromatherapy room spray, you will need:

 50ml (approx 2oz) glass spray bottle (if using plastic, make sure it’s

PET plastic)

 25ml distilled water

 25ml high-proof alcohol (vodka or Everclear)

 20 drops of essential oils (see below)

How to make:

1. In your glass spray bottle, combine the essential oils with the alcohol

2. Add distilled water and mix well to combine

3. Shake before use

4. Spray!

Tips:

 It’s advisable to use a larger bottle than you need, to allow plenty of

room for shaking. If the essential oils float on top of the liquid, you

don’t want them to come into contact with any rubber parts.

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 24
 A hydrosol can be used in place of distilled water. In fact, hydrosols

can be pleasant enough to use on their own as room sprays, without

adding any extra essential oils. Peppermint hydrosol makes for a

refreshing and cooling spray in hot weather, and lavender hydrosol is a

safe option for children.

 As well as freshening the air, these can also be used as linen sprays.

 Don’t spray directly on to furniture or over drinks.

 Always take extra caution when spraying around children and pets.

 Witch hazel may be used in place of alcohol, although it may affect the

overall scent of your room spray.

 Remember to store in the fridge and use within a couple of weeks.

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 25
Top 5 Room Spray Blends

Name Essential Oils (no. drops per 50ml room spray)

12 Lime
1 Mojito
8 Peppermint

8 Lemon
8 Sweet Orange
2 Orange Spice
3 Cinnamon
1 Clove

10 Lemon
3 Refresh 5 Peppermint
5 Rosemary

4 Eucalyptus
4 Lavender
4 Pine
4 Purify
4 Tea Tree
2 Cinnamon
2 Thyme (Linalol)

8 Lavender
5 Bright & Breezy 8 Tea Tree
4 Lemon

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 26
How to Make Aromatherapy Lip Balm

Making your own lip balm is surprisingly easy! Once you try this recipe, you'll

never need to buy another lip salve from the store again.

This lip balm is wonderfully moisturising and smells divine! My favourite

combination is peppermint and lime — but what's lovely about making your

own aromatherapy lip balm is that you can use whichever essential oils you

like to create your own signature fragrance.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp natural beeswax pellets

2 tbsp raw virgin coconut oil

2 tbsp shea butter

2 tbsp carrier oil (sweet almond or grapeseed)

25 drops essential oils

Makes enough for 20 lip balm tubes (approx 4ml each)

Method:

1. Line up your empty lip balm tubes on a sheet of paper towel

2. Fill a small saucepan with 1”/3cm of water and bring to the boil

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 27
3. Meanwhile, add the beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter to a

heatproof glass bowl (it should fit securely over the pan, in the style of

a double boiler)

4. Reduce the boiling water to a simmer, and carefully place the glass

bowl over the pan, making sure the base is not in contact with the

water

5. Use a disposable tool to stir the ingredients for a few minutes until

they are fully melted

6. Once melted, remove from heat. Add the oil and stir into mixture

7. Add the drops of essential oils and stir into mixture

8. Carefully pour the mixture into the lip balm tubes – you might find it

easier to use a small funnel or pipette, although you’ll need to work

fast as the mixture solidifies quickly

9. Fill each tube up to the top – don’t worry if a small hole appears in the

centre, this is perfectly normal (and looks quite authentic!)

10. Leave to cool for several hours before fitting the caps

11. Add label

Tips:

 For an unscented lip balm, simply omit the essential oils

 You might find it easier to use a special lip balm filling tray to steady

the tubes while pouring the mixture

 For a softer lip balm, add more coconut oil

 Store in a cool, dry place and use within 2-3 months

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 28
Top 5 Lip Balm Blends

Name Essential Oils (no. drops per batch of 20 tubes)

15 Lime
1 Mojito
10 Peppermint

15 Sweet Orange
2 Citrus Joy
10 Lemon

20 Peppermint
3 Cool Mint
5 Eucalyptus

15 Lemon
4 Herbal
10 Rosemary

15 Peppermint
5 Relaxing
10 Lavender

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 29
Top 10 Truths about Essential Oils

This article was written in response to the plethora of crazy essential oil

advice that is propagated online. So, in a world of utter nonsense, I feel there

are some truths that need to be pointed out:

1. Not all 'Drs' are medical doctors

The internet is full of “Drs” – but not all of these are medical doctors. You’ll

often see self-proclaimed “experts” using the title of “Dr” – especially when it

comes to health-related topics. Anyone remember Dr Gillian McKeith from You

Are What You Eat? Despite implications, it transpired that she actually had no

accredited qualifications in nutrition or medicine. In fact, her “Dr” title was

purely academic and based on unrelated subjects.

I’m not going to name any names, but there are a couple of well-known “Drs”

who love to share essential oil advice online. But they are not medical

doctors, they are chiropractors. It’s also worth pointing out that an “ND” is

not the same as a medical doctor. As Wikipedia states, “Licensed naturopaths

do not receive comparable training to medical doctors in terms of the quality

of education or quantity of hours”.

So, next time you see a “doctor” touting essential oil advice – check out their

credentials.

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 30
2. Oils will not cure everything

Don’t let anyone tell you that essential oils are the ONLY thing you need in

your medicine cabinet. The light-hearted saying “I’ve got an oil for that!” now

seems to have evolved into the mentality that every problem in life can be

solved by essential oils, from broken bones to cancer. Yes, aromatherapy is

amazing. Yes, essential oils are wonderful natural resources. But it’s

important to remember that aromatherapy is not always suitable. There are

times when medical help is the only appropriate option. I’ve seen some truly

horrifying stories about parents refusing to take their sick babies to hospital,

or attempting to cure their own life-threatening infections with home

remedies. In addition, it’s definitely not a good idea to repeatedly apply

essential oils in the hope of preventing illness. Sensitization is real.

3. 'Therapeutic grade’ is a myth

Ah, this old chestnut! In case you’re not already aware, there are two major

essential oil brands that claim to be ‘therapeutic grade’. Supposedly, this

makes it acceptable to ingest or use them neat on the skin. I’ve actually had

one of their ‘wellness advocates’ inform me that my Essential Oil Blending app

“doesn’t work” with her oils. Apparently, the purity of her essential oils makes

them safe to ingest, which conflicts with the safety advice in my app. You’ll

often see reps validating spurious advice on the basis that their essential oils

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 31
are ‘certified pure therapeutic grade’. Actually, this is nothing more than a

self-awarded marketing term. There is no industry standard that defines

‘therapeutic grade’ essential oils. Any 100% pure essential oil is technically

therapeutic grade. Obviously, some oils will be of a higher quality than others.

But to suggest that all other essential oils are worthless is pure fiction. And

while I'm on the subject of ingestion, saying that essential oils are GRAS

(Generally Recognised as Safe) does NOT make it safe to casually ingest

whole drops on a daily basis.

4. There is not only ONE good brand

There is so much propaganda about essential oils. The world of aromatherapy

is becoming increasingly divided between the MLM-ers and the non-MLM-ers.

You won’t find many (if any) professional aromatherapists using MLM

essential oils in their clinics and salons. People who can see beyond marketing

hype have realised there is more than just ONE credible essential oil brand.

You don’t need to pay those prices to get quality oils.

5. “I’ve done it for years and I’m fine!”

How many times do you hear this argument? I’ve had messages from people

insisting that they’ve been drinking essential oils for years and feel fabulous.

I’ve had comments from people claiming to have received numerous Raindrop

Therapy treatments with no adverse effects. This is all very interesting, but it

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 32
does not constitute a scientifically valid argument. It’s a classic anecdotal

fallacy. A smoker could argue “Well, I’ve smoked cigarettes for years, and I

don’t have lung cancer!” – but it doesn’t take away from the fact that we

know smoking does increase the risk of lung cancer.

If you think it’s acceptable to recommend using neat oils on the skin on the

basis that “you always do it and you’re fine!”, I would advise you go and look

up the term sensitization.

6. Get some perspective!

Who is giving you essential oil advice? Are they trying to SELL you

something? How many times do you scroll to the end of an article only to find

an affiliate link for their essential oil company? Can this person really be

trusted to provide impartial advice? Perhaps there is cause for concern if the

only people who share your opinion are those who have a profitable interest

in it. Let’s take the whole “drinking essential oils in water” debate. The

professional aromatherapy industry says NO. The sales-driven MLM rep says

YES. Who do you trust more?

7. Do you dare to question the cult?

If you’ve ever challenged anyone who has strong pro-MLM beliefs, you’ve

probably been on the receiving end of a rather aggressive – possibly abusive

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 33
– tirade about how you’ve “got it all wrong”. No cult likes to be questioned. If

you dare to question the cult, you will find yourself excommunicated (or

removed from a Facebook group, in my case). They will only believe what

they want to hear, which makes it almost pointless to even try and share your

view. It’s essentially brainwashing on a grand scale.

8. They will try to blind you with science

When challenged, these people will often try to bombard you with scientific

jargon in an attempt to sound credible. By throwing in a load of medical

terminology, they somehow assume that you’ll be impressed and think “Wow,

this person clearly knows their stuff!” But more often than not, they will take

one fact and use it to justify an invalid argument. Facts can be taken out of

context or used selectively (the classic cherry picking fallacy). Unfortunately

for them, a qualified expert will eventually come along and expose the flaws

in their argument.

9. Don’t trust blogs

The internet is full of nonsensical blog articles that are full of misinformation.

The beauty of blogging and social media is that everyone has a voice – but

this is also its downfall. Anyone can dish out advice online and, for the most

part, it’s pretty much unregulated. I’ve seen some truly shocking

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 34
aromatherapy advice on the internet – mostly from unqualified sellers of

essential oils.

10. Experience counts!

In the words of Einstein, “the only source of knowledge is experience”. Only a

fool would take a short online course in aromatherapy and assume the role of

an expert. If your whole approach to essential oils is based on what your

upline tells you, perhaps it's time to widen your perspective. Several times,

I’ve had MLM reps tell me that my knowledge of aromatherapy is outdated.

“Times have changed!” they say. “You need to open your mind!” another

said. “I used to think you couldn’t ingest essential oils, but now I’ve seen the

light!” Ironically, if anyone needs to be more open-minded it’s those people

who believe all the marketing hype.

One so-called expert on Facebook had the gall to dismiss Robert Tisserand as

someone who is “not a credible expert” and merely teaches “old science”. So,

30 years of aromatherapy research counts for nothing? Please. She was the

same person who called my articles “idiotic” and told me I should “go back to

school”. As Tisserand pointed out, he spends a couple of hours each week

reading new research. He is hardly going to sit back, put his feet up and say

"That's it; I've ticked aromatherapy knowledge off the list! Nothing else to

learn there!" Education never ends. Knowledge is continually evolving over

time. It's up to all of us to educate ourselves with the facts.

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 35
Top 10 Ways to Spot Fake Essential Oils

In our health-obsessed society, essential oils are more popular than ever

before. With a global market value worth over $6 BILLION, it’s no wonder

that businesses are keen to jump in and get a slice of the pie.

With so many essential oil brands available, the choice can be overwhelming.

How can you tell which brand is the best, or which oils are the best quality?

It’s often difficult to filter through all the marketing hype to find out the facts.

A couple of well-known brands are notorious for promoting their oils as being

“the ONLY pure essential oils” on the market. This is clearly nonsense – there

are many companies all over the world that sell high-quality, pure,

therapeutic essential oils.

However…there are also many companies selling cheap, fake, synthetic or

adulterated essential oils that have no therapeutic value whatsoever.

The purity of essential oils can be tested in a chemical lab, but for the

average home user this is not a viable option. So, let’s take a look at 10

simple ways to tell whether your essential oils are genuine or not:

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 36
1. Price

Low price does not necessarily mean low quality. Some essential oil brands

are hugely overpriced, often to cover several layers of sales commission as

part of a multi-level marketing scheme. But if the oils are suspiciously cheap,

this should raise alarm bells. Compare prices with other aromatherapy

suppliers to gauge the average price of an oil – does it seem vastly cheaper?

If so, it’s more likely to be synthetic or adulterated. Cheap rose or jasmine oil

is usually a dead giveaway!

2. History

How long has the brand existed? Do they have a long history in the

aromatherapy industry, with a professional reputation? Professional brands

will often exhibit at trade shows, or supply colleges and other training

providers. In the UK, most reputable brands will be registered with an

organisation like the Aromatherapy Trade Council, which signifies compliance

with a professional Code of Practice.

3. Packaging

Undiluted pure essential oils should always be stored in dark-coloured glass

bottles. Plastic is only acceptable where the essential oils have already been

pre-diluted in a carrier oil (e.g. ‘Ready to use’ oil blends; shower gels etc.)

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 37
4. Botanical Information

Does the label include the Latin name of the essential oil? Avoid any brands

that just state the common name – for example, a bottle that is simply

labelled “Eucalyptus Essential Oil”, without mentioning which type.

5. Oily Test

This is a simple test that anyone can do at home. Most true essential oils will

not usually leave an oily residue when dropped on to paper (with the

exception of some heavy base notes). Just add one drop to a sheet of white

paper and leave to dry. After a few hours, there should be virtually no visible

trace left on the paper. An oily shadow indicates that it might have been

stretched with carrier oil, meaning it is not 100% pure essential oil.

It’s important to remember that this test is not scientific or conclusive on its

own merit, but it can be helpful when taking all factors into consideration.

6. Labelling

Essential oils should be labelled properly in accordance with legal

requirements. A professional brand will usually include the country of origin,

ingredients, batch number, expiry date, storage information, safety advice

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 38
and details about the company. And watch out for spelling mistakes – never a

good sign!

7. Smell

With experience, you can learn to smell the difference between pure and

synthetic essential oils. Does it smell like alcohol, or have an artificial scent? If

so, it’s unlikely to be pure essential oil.

8. Feel

Rub a drop of essential oil between your fingers – does it feel oily? If so,

chances are it’s been stretched with carrier oil. Apart from a few exceptions,

most pure essential oils should not feel thick or greasy.

9. Contacts

The internet is full of bogus sellers of essential oils. Try to avoid buying from

anonymous sellers on eBay – look for a company with a professional website,

including full contact details of their address and phone number.

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 39
10. Compare

To widen your experience, it’s a good idea to try out different brands of

essential oils. If you’re not sure whether your essential oils are genuine or

fake, sample a few bottles from other brands so you have something to

compare it to – you might be surprised by the difference!

If you enjoyed these articles, check out The English Aromatherapist blog for

more advice about how to use essential oils safely. You’ll also find lots of

useful how-to video guides on my YouTube channel.

Follow The English Aromatherapist:

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Copyright 2017 © The English Aromatherapist

This book, or any of its content, may not be reproduced, copied or used without permission of the author

100 Essential Oil Tips, Tricks & Blends © The English Aromatherapist 2017 40

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