Whether you're interested in aromatherapy or you simply prefer to smell nice, by now you've likely come across products made with essential oils. But what are these oils, and what are they used for? These products actually have a myriad of purposes, and they are used in a number of high quality candles, soaps, and beauty products as well. If you've been thinking about buying essential oil in some form or another, here are the "essentials" you need to read: First, what is an essential oil? Essential oils have been used for nearly 6,000 years, typically for therapeutic, spiritual, hygienic, or ritualistic purposes by early civilizations. They were also used in cosmetics, perfumes, and even medicines by ancient Chinese, Indian, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures. Today, they are used for similar purposes in beauty and home products. The oils are considered "essential" because they are extracted from the plants in extremely concentrated amounts in order to get the purest and most fragrant scents. However, this is a very slow and labor-intensive process. Just one drop of rose oil, for example, takes more than 30 roses, which is why this kind is one of the most expensive varieties of essential oil available. Do different scents serve different purposes? Because essential oil may be made from one or more type of plant, the effects can vary from scent to scent. For instance, do you need to relax? You might grab some lavender oil, if you prefer; breathing in the scent of chamomile can have the same calming effects as drinking a cup of chamomile tea. If your mood could use a boost, opt for bright citrus scents like orange, grapefruit, lemon, and tangerine. Meanwhile, peppermint and other mint scents can be excellent for revitalizing and concentrating, and sandalwood is ideal for centering and meditating. How can I get the best kinds of oils? Many people wonder where to buy essential oils, but the most important thing is to look at what you're getting. Some varieties will offer nothing but the pure oil, whereas others may use a carrier oil to dilute the scent. And although some products, like soaps and lotions, use different scents of oils in their ingredients, consumers may need to be wary of which ones they choose. Lotions, candles, and beauty products advertised as having aromatherapy benefits have been popular since the 1980s, but many of these products, even today, contain synthetic fragrances that don't have the same properties as an essential oil. To get the most from these scents, it's important to buy the oil in its purest form and only use products actually made with essential oil. How should you buy an essential oil? There is no right or wrong way to choose an essential oil. Whether you'd like all natural scented candles to make your home smell good or you want to use soaps made with these aromas, you have plenty of great products to choose from. If you'd prefer to try using the oils themselves, make sure you review a list of essential oils to see which ones would be the most appealing and have the most benefits for you. Need to know more about essential oil varieties? Get in touch with us today, and we'll help you find the right scent and product for your lifestyle.