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Essential Oils or Incense?

PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 7:36 pm
by Atei
If you were to buy online, would you buy essential oils for specific purposes or incense?

Thanks in advance!

PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 3:49 pm
by Nia Atei
Well that depends on what my purpose is. If I JUST wanted "smelly stuff" then I'd buy incense.

On the other hand, if I had to choose between the two and could only buy one for the rest of my life, I would go with oils, but only if they are REAL essential oils. Most "essential" oils out there are fakes.

Essential oils are more useful than incense. Oils can be warmed over a candle flame to scent a house, they can be used in massage or in the bath, you can use them for annointing people, candles, and other things. If they are TRUE essential oils and not just perfume rip-offs, some are edible and can be used in teas and foods for taste or medicinal purposes - however, don't try this unless you KNOW what you are doing (and trust the quality of your oils) - some essential oils of edible herbs can be highly toxic. Lastly, oils can be used to create your own incenses, scented candles, lotions, etc.

PostPosted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 10:39 am
by Azzo Ranar
I was going to copy and paste what she said verbatum lol.

PostPosted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 10:49 am
by Randell
Nia is right. However not only can they be used with a candle. I have found that adding a drop or two in a small pot of water ,simmering not boiling, on the stove works well. Also allows for the mixing of oils for creating a specific combination of scents.

PostPosted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 2:07 pm
by Nia Atei
Oh, good point about simmering, Randell. A few drops of certain oils...like camphor and eucalyptus in a steaming pot of water is therapeutic for respiratory ailments and makes a good humidifier/vaporizer.

Another reason oils are better than incense, in my opinion, is that some people are sensitive to smoke.

PostPosted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 3:27 pm
by Atei
Thank you all for your support. I have decided to carry both incense and real essential oils.

Nia, I have this wonderful book in front of me: "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy" by Valerie Ann Worwood. That's where the essential oil idea came from, and from what I've read so far, you are absolutely correct: what some are calling "essential oil" are nothing more than fragranced sunflower oil.

That isn't what I'm planning on doing, however. This book offers step by step instructions on making and using the "good stuff," and that is what I'll be selling, soon. :D

As for the incense: I have a supplier and I can get them at very good prices. The incense is all hand-made, high-quality and charcoal based. I am going to have sticks, cones and granular.