Getting Started with Essential Oils on a Budget

Using aromatic plant medicine like essential oils is one natural way to give attention to your health and beauty. If you’re thinking that essential oils are your way to better health and better household, perhaps you’re getting ready to take a big slice from your budget to be able to afford it. I have been interested in joining the essential oils bandwagon, but I hesitated for a bit when I found out that it isn’t exactly budget-friendly. $40 for a 5mL bottle of a therapeutic grade essential oil? No way! But with further research, I eventually found out that essential oils can be affordable without breaking the bank, and without compromising in quality! Here’s what you need to know to save while building your essential oil arsenal:

1. Find out where essential oils originate

Different plants mean different prices. Plus, some plants naturally yield lower amounts of essential oils, making it more expensive. For instance, one pound of pure rose damascene oil takes about 2,500 pounds or rose flowers and a short 30-day window to harvest the crop, but not during peak hours of intense sunlight. Because of that, a pound of this essential oil is worth more than $2,000. Some essential oils like rosewood, which is cultivated from a tree native only in the Amazon rainforest, is expensive because it’s rare. These are expensive examples, but most essential oils are distilled through cold-press and usable amounts can be easily gatherable, so they can be sold for $15 or less. Also, knowing where your essential oils come from and what benefits does it have can make substitution easier. If there’s a cheaper essential oil that has the same health benefits or aroma you wanted, you can opt for it instead of the more expensive one.

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2. Just a small amount of essential oil is enough

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts, so a small 5 or 10mL bottle can last for months of regular use. Keep this in mind, so you’d not be tempted to buy a lot of one type of oil. Essential oils, generally, should be consumed within a year of purchase, but some can be kept longer when refrigerated. You can make the most out of your essential oils by dilution. Using drops straight from the bottle can cause allergic reactions, so it must be mixed with a carrier oil before applying on skin. This is why a small bottle is supposed to go a long way.

3. Start with the oils you can gain the most from

If you’re getting started in aromatherapy, it’s normal to want every essential oil. When I looked at Young Living’s variety of Everyday Oils, I feel like I want them all since my family needs all that benefits! But make sure to take it slow – buying more will surely wreck your budget. Figure out the oils you can get the most benefit from and slowly build your essential oil collection from there. Here are some of the most affordable and versatile oils to help you start:

  • Lemon – Lemon is one of the most versatile and least expensive essential oils. Health-wise, lemon supports circulation and relieves heartburn. When mixed with coconut oil, it can be used as a skin enhancer. It can help strengthen the immune system and keep the mind focused. The revitalizing scent of lemon can improve the mood and allow you to think clearer. You can add it to your water or smoothie for a boosting zing. You can mix it to your food for a boost in flavor. Also, it’s a great cleaning agent. It can remove stains, grease spots, sticky residues, and can also freshen up musty and stinky areas.
  • Lavender – Lavender is another classic essential oil that is well-loved for its aromatic and therapeutic qualities. Add in a few drops on your warm bath for a soothing, spa-like experience. Massaging with lavender oil will help you unwind, and the scent of the oil can help you sleep more peacefully. The aroma of lavender also fights seasonal sniffles, helps support the respiratory system, and relaxes the mind and body. Applying lavender oil mixed with coconut oil can soothe skin; cure minor cuts, burns and insect bites; and provide relief for stiff joints and muscles.
  • Peppermint – Peppermint essential oil has a lot of applications, too. Its fresh and invigorating scent can boost mood and energy, especially during days when you’re sleepy but needs to get work done. It’s great for long car rides to keep the driver stay focused. When rubbed on the skin, its cool sensation can ease muscle tension during cramps or after a workout. Also, it can be used as a dietary supplement and digestive aid. It can also relieve nausea and heartburn.
  • Grapefruit – Grapefruit, like most citrus oils, are affordable and economical. Its aroma can uplift and brighten your mood, making you feel more refreshed and energized. Add a drop or two to your water or juice to help keep your mind alert. When added to your body scrub, it can help soothe and enliven your skin. When added to recipes, it can help support weight management, as well as healthy detoxification.

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4. Find reputable essential oil suppliers

The well-known essential oil brands may cost more, but you can find brands that offer quality essential oils for less. However, since the industry lacks regulation, a lot of companies claim their products are 100% pure but in reality, they contain fillers and other synthetic ingredients. Many people fall for the terms “certified pure” and “therapeutic grade,” but that’s not always the case. That’s why it’s best to purchase only from a trusted brand.

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Young Living is a well-known brand of essential oils. You can be assured that their product is of great quality and authentic; see their Seed to Seal production process.doTerra is another globally known essential oil company, and their products are certified pure therapeutic grade. However, both of these brands are in a higher price bracket, which can be heavy on the pocket. Here are my two favorite brands that offer cheaper, yet quality essential oils:

  • Plant Therapy – Plant Therapy sells high-quality essential oils at a much economical price than Young Living and doTerra. They offer a large selection of products: over 125 single oils, 47 blends, 43 sets, 24 diffusers, 23 roll-ons, 20 carrier oils, and other accessories – making them a one-stop shop for your essential oil needs. They test their products with a third party, in which results are public and can be seen on every product’s page on their site. You can buy Plant Therapy products on their online shop or through Amazon
  • Edens Garden – Edens Garden also brings you pure essential oils at an affordable price. They offer both certified organic line of essential oils and a conventionally-sourced lineup of products. Their products are independently tested and quality controlled by a third party tester. If you’re looking for an alternative to Young Living and doTerra’s products, Edens Garden offer the same thing for a lower price! Check it out on Amazon – they even mention their doTerra’s counterparts! My favorites include the invigorating Joy, calming Align, and anti-aging Age Defy

You may also look for small-business owners who run amazing apothecaries if you like to shop locally.

Why Should You Buy Essential Oils?

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A natural method to enhance your health and the health of those closest to you is by using essential oils. Essential oils may transform your life, whether you are seeking all-natural treatments, want to feel less anxious and stressed out, or want to sleep better.

The antiviral, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects of essential oils have a long history.

Essential oils, such as lavender or citrus oils, are a wonderful method to reduce tension and settle your mind to improve your sleep. Essential oils like peppermint and rosemary are fantastic for the immune system for fighting off illness, for concentration when you are feeling disorganized, and for that additional boost to keep you going.

Not to mention the money you may save by not needing to buy over-the-counter medications. Additionally, you may save money by creating your own cleaning solutions, bath and body recipes, and natural cosmetic concoctions with essential oils!

Essential Oils vs Fragrances Oils

Essential oils are smells that are naturally present and are obtained from various plant sections (fruit, leaf, stem, bark, root, and flower). Contrarily, fragrance oil and perfume oils are synthetic scents created to resemble the aroma of a natural substance.

Buy only 100% pure essential oils, and make sure you read the labels. The best essential oils are organic, however, because they have an organic certification, their price will be slightly more.

Testing of essential oils

Here are the two most often used tests for essential oils, which are utilized by the majority of firms to ensure high-quality oils:

  • Gas chromatography (GC) – It is frequently used to confirm the purity and composition of essential oils. Gas chromatography (GC) is a potent analytical method for identifying and quantifying the components of essential oils.
  • Mass spectrometry (MS) – By determining the mass-to-charge ratio of the molecules in the sample, mass spectrometry (MS), a potent analytical method, may be used to determine the components of essential oils and to validate their composition and purity.

Tips for Cheap Essential Oil Purchases

It could seem like a costly pastime to purchase essential oils, but that does not have to be the case! Research is the key to buying essential oils on a tight budget.

Here are some recommendations for premium essential oil brands:

  1. Do not overbuy
  2. Essential oils expire
  3. Buy fewer bottles at one time
  4. Buy the right bottle size
  5. Make a wish list
  6. Stock up during sales

How to Choose the Right Essential Oils

Identify the problem

Everyone should start with this. What motivates your desire to use essential oils? Do you experience any bodily issues? Is it acute or chronic? Maybe there is not a pain point, and your goal is to produce a certain mood, like relaxation. Or perhaps you want to fragrance cleaning goods with essential oils. 

It is much simpler to narrow down the thousands of essential oils you can utilize once you identify the core problem you want to solve.

Because so many individuals use comparable oils for common illnesses, it is simple to get caught up in the aforementioned “there’s an oil for that” attitude. However, it is equally crucial to take your own odor preferences into account while using aromatherapy. For instance, spikenard is frequently used by insomniacs due to its sedative effects. However, I am aware of certain folks who would rather use lavender or vetiver for sleep since they simply cannot stand the fragrance.

Aromatherapy is a very individualized technique; there is no one-size-fits-all combination.

Consider energetics

Consideration of energetics may be perplexing to people who use essential oils to achieve a specific medicinal purpose or health benefit. While you do not have to operate on a spiritual or energy level to benefit from aromatherapy, it’s still helpful to comprehend the chemistry.

Due in part to the strong menthol concentration of peppermint essential oil, which is extremely refreshing and energizing, many aromatherapists advise using hydrosol instead to prevent safety concerns (particularly in children).

Some oils can get hotter as they cool. Oils rich in phenols, like thymol, eugenol, and carvacrol, are well-recognized for being hot. These oils, which include oregano, thyme, cinnamon leaf, and clove, should be used with caution. Yarrow, sweet marjoram, ginger, basil, and black pepper are additional warming essential oils.

It may be even more helpful to know whether an oil resonates with feminine yin or masculine yang energy, or whether it helps anchor or open particular chakras.

Combine oils

Synergy is necessary While individual essential oils are powerful, mixing their aromatic molecules enables them to operate together and yields benefits that are larger than the sum of their individual effects. I frequently combine 3-5 essential oils to create synergies from a holistic standpoint. This blending method enables me to have a core blend, enhancer, and harmonizer, at the very least.

Effects are amplified when oils with comparable chemical constituents are combined. For instance, combining ho-wood, rosewood, and Spanish marjoram—all of which have significant concentrations of the monoterpene alcohol linalool—would provide a sleep-promoting and deeply relaxing synergy.

Know the facts

You can really get by with only two pieces of fundamental information: source and pricing. While it is not reasonable to expect everyone to be familiar with every oil chemotype and probable contraindications, it’s nevertheless possible. Start with the box as a cue!

Small, high-quality sellers of essential oils, however, will always state on the bottle the Latin binomial (which identifies the plant genus and species), the location and method of distillation, and whether the oil is organic or wild-harvested. Because there are several species of certain plant groups, like the lavender family, the Latin name is significant.

There are really over 250 different kinds of eucalyptus, but only eight of them are frequently utilized in aromatherapy. determining environmental conditions that affect chemical components and scent is essential for determining where oil comes from.

Think beyond the oils

It involves more than simply essential oils. Butter and carrier oils are frequently used in DIY aromatherapy recipes, which are equally crucial to take into account. Products have a shelf life, and certain popular carrier oils should be used within six to twelve months after purchase. Many energetic citrus essential oils only last a year when refrigerated (in fact, most essential oils are happiest when chilled!).

You may avoid safety problems like skin sensitivity and avoid losing valuable materials from a damaged batch by being aware of product expiration dates. Additionally, pay attention to how you will be applying the oils when you buy and use them. Dermally, gels absorb the quickest, but depending on your objectives, direct inhalation, and diffusion may be as beneficial.

How to Save Money Using Essential Oils?

Always dilute your essential oils with a carrier oil prior to applying them topically to the skin since this is a simple approach to reduce the cost of using essential oils. When diluted, one drop of oil may cover a large area. It may be applied over a broader region of the body without causing skin rashes.

Using carrier oils does not lessen the potency of aromatherapy oils because they are extremely concentrated; on the contrary, it allows them more time to absorb and slows down the evaporation of your priceless oils.

How Should You Store Your Essential Oils?

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After you have invested in oils, it is important to take care of them so that their medicinal benefits are maintained. Keep essential oils out of the sun, heat, and moisture for optimum storage and freshness.

Given how sensitive they are, essential oils should ideally be stored in a cold, dark space like your refrigerator or a cabinet.

When you buy essential oils, they often come in glass bottles, and if not, I would doubt the reliability of the essential oil supplier. Maintain the bottles’ cleanliness by wiping them down with a dry cloth rather than using soap or other cleansers that can leave a residue. Store them in dark-colored glass bottles.