About Jodi Baglien Essential Oils

Q.  Why buy from an Aromatherapist?
A trusted source for high quality essential oils is critical to the success and results of aromatherapy. This essential oil line is the result of my years of education for my Certificate in Clinical Aromatherapy, continued education from conferences, self learning, discussions with some of the best and brightest experts in aromatherapy, and from 10 years of hands on experience in my healing work and custom blending for my clients.  (for more go to About Jodi)

There is a lot of marketing hype in the essential oil / aromatherapy business...  and to that all I can say is: Seek out the people who have taken the time to educate themselves in the chemistry, research and scientific aspects, stay current in new information, and respect the plant kingdom for the great healing gift that they offer us.  

Compare it to this - If you want to start taking herbal supplements, would you rather seek help from:

• the clerk at the store selling the herbs?
• someone who is a distributor for a multi level marketing type company with limited or company driven information?
• a trained Master Herbalist?  

Same thing in Aromatherapy. For the beginner, my best advice is to take a class,(click here for classes) get a good resource book (see my resource page) and develop your own “nose”, then watch for your own results.  

Q.  "Are your oils therapeutic grade"?

What is Therapeutic Grade, and what does it mean? Is it Real, Therapeutic, Pure, Unadulterated, Natural, Genuine?  What terms have meaning? Who is defining these words? Allow me to rant just a bit here....   I would not waste my time or money on mediocre, mass produced for commercial trade or adulterated oils to do the work I do. As a professional Aromatherapist I pride myself on the connections & knowledge I have spent hundreds of hours developing in this field. From my over 400 hours of training from an accredited herbal college – not a sales based company weekend workshop education….to National Aromatherapy conferences, subscriptions to professional trade journals, research, and my personal experiences.

Essential oil industry is unregulated. There is no official grading system that classifies oils using this term. The term therapeutic grade is a “company term” and has been made popular in the last 20 years. The term “therapeutic” carries no standard definition from any regulating board regarding EO’s. This type of term is a company created marketing term that carries a general public expectation of what that means. Other company terms that are emerging now are sustainable grown, ethically harvested. These terms tell you the farming practice and have value – but are the terms are not part of a regulated terminology.  

Bottom line: There is NO REGULATION in Aromatherapy regarding usage of words to describe oils in regards to the quality of the oils. The professional aromatherapy community has always sourced oils that are grown, harvested and distilled with the purpose of keeping the life force in the plant, and producing the absolute finest aromatics.  There are many large scale, mass produced uses for essential oils for perfume, commercial body care, toothpaste, food, industrial, etc. Then there are the oils grown with the intention of oils to be used for their healing properties. Carefully selected, energetically alive, vibrant oils are what I use.

Q. Can I use Essential oils "neat" or “straight” on the skin?  (Neat means undiluted)

Usually not. General rule of thumb in aromatherapy is Dilute, Dilute, Dilute, when applying essential oils to the skin! Essential oils are VERY effective - even at low dilutions! For inhalation use as in diffusers or inhalers you can use the oils straight or undiluted. But not for topical.

If you are new to aromatherapy - seek a trained aromatherapist online or in your area, or see the recommended books and resources for where to go for reference and advice.(click her for safety sheet, resources)

Special caution is advised for infants, children, elderly, sensitive skin, damaged skin, people with serious medical conditions or on many prescription drugs.

Q. What is a Carrier oil?

Often called carrier oils, base oils, or fixed oils - carrier oils are one way essential oils can be blended to achieve a lower concentration for topical use on the skin.  Their role is to help “carry” the essential oil onto the skin, at a more tolerable and safer concentration for use on the skin.
Carrier oils are usually derived from fruits and nuts, butters, or vegetable sources. They differ from EO’s in that they contain fatty solids, emollients, and other nutritive properties. It is the carrier oil that delivers the "oily" feel, not the essential oils. (click here for carrier oils)

Quality carrier oils for the skin will be manufactured by cold pressed processes; vs. heat extracted, cold pressed oils often contain Vitamin E, and natural antioxidants helping to prevent spoilage of the carrier.  Cold pressed oils can be stored in the refrigerator to help extend their shelf life, and will soften or become liquid again at room temperature – do not microwave, this can destroy active ingredients!

Many lotions, creams, body oils, lip balms and other moisturizing products made from natural and organic ingredients, are available at most markets today can also be used as carriers. Avoid using any petroleum based oils such as mineral oil with EO’s.


Q. How to Store Essential oils

Essential oils are precious, concentrated and costly to manufacture. In some cases enormous amounts of botanical material are used to produce small amounts of essential oils. Storing your oils correctly will help you maintain their maximum therapeutic strength.

Factors that cause spoilage are: exposure to heat, moisture, light and the presence of oxygen. How quickly an essential oil deteriorates and evaporates depends on its chemical components, called constituents.  Oxidation being the surest way to quickly deteriorate the oil. 

Storage Suggestions:

• keep them out of direct sunlight and in a cool, dry place 
• replace caps ASAP and make sure they are on tightly
• refrigeration is not necessary, and could add unwanted moisture to the essential oil. Some sources do recommend refrigeration for citrus oils. 
• the exception to this may be Rose Otto. Rose can evaporate easily. Some people have found their highly prized Rose oil empty – with evaporation the culprit. Some Refrigerate their Rose oil, some combine Rose oil with Golden Jojoba oil in a 10-20% dilution. This saves you money, and may keep  the Rose from evaporating.

Q. What essential oils and supplies do I need to get started?

• Ask yourself – what conditions might I be working with, what is typical for myself, my family? 
• What therapeutic qualities do these conditions require?
• What aromas do I love?
• Additional ideas: Choose oils from Chemical groups – you will round out your therapeutic actions from selecting oils using this method.
• Select purely by your aroma preference – great for massage uses, baths, personal fragrance and home diffusing. 
• Select one or two oils from each of the plant parts – flowers, fruits, woods, resins, leaves, needles, berries, roots and rhizomes. 

Supplies – Have on hand the tools you need to create!

• Assorted amber bottles, spray bottless, plastic massage oil bottles,
• Carrier oils, for blending your own creations – Fractionated coconut,  jojoba work well for most topical uses.
• Pink himalayan salt - for the best bath ever.