The Best Essential Oils

AromaWeb visitors will often contact me to ask what the best essential oils are to use and purchase. It's a very broad question, but I certainly understand why so many individuals ask this! I wondered this very same question when I first became interested in essential oils back in the mid 1990s.

What Makes an Essential Oil the Best?

Now that I've been working with essential oils professionally for so many years, I don't usually refer to the best essential oils in such a general way. It really depends on your needs and preferences.

As you gain more experience working with essential oils, you will likely start to develop your own system or outline for determining what are the best essential oils for your own needs. Here is a brief example outline:

• Therapeutic Benefits and Efficacy (Effectiveness)
• Your Particular Needs
• Affordability
• Aroma and Organoleptic Properties (Physical Properties)
• Safety Considerations and Possible Contraindications
• Sustainability of the Botanical Used to Produce the Oil

Best Essential Oils for Basic Care

The The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood holds a special place within the beginnings of my aromatherapy journey because it was the first book I purchased after becoming curious about the benefits of essential oils. If you are new to working with essential oils, this is an outstanding essential oil book that is great for beginners and then becomes an excellent resource that you'll use for years to come.

Chapter 2 showcases Valerie Ann Worwood's top 10 essential oils for basic care. It was especially helpful with my initial questions on what the best essential oils would be for me to begin with.

• Lavender Essential Oil (lavandula angustifolia)
• Geranium Essential Oil (Pelargonium graveolens)
• Thyme Linalol Essential Oil (Thymus vulgaris ct. linalol)
• Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (Anthemis nobilis)
• Rosemary Essential Oil (Salvia rosmarinus / Rosmarinus officinalis)
• Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha piperita)
• Cardamom Essential Oil (Elettaria cardamomum)
• Lemon Essential Oil (Citrus limon)
• Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Eucalyptus radiata)
• Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)

In synergy with each other when used safely and correctly, these top 10 essential oils are highly versatile in addressing a number of concerns and complaints. She begins the chapter by describing each essential oil and then organizes the remainder of the chapter into an A-Z guide of common conditions with recipes for each condition that utilize the specific essential oils from this list.

[Source: Valerie Ann Worwood, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, 25th Anniversary Edition (Novato, CA: New World Library, 2016, 28-30.]

Best Essential Oils for Particular Uses

Refer to the below guides to learn about the essential oils that are generally considered the best or most helpful to use for that application when used safely and correctly:

• Essential Oils for Emotional Well-Being
• Essential Oils for Headaches
• Essential Oils for Depression
• Essential Oils for Insomnia
• Essential Oils to Help Quit Smoking
• Essential Oils for Colds/Flu
• Essential Oils for Travel
• Essential Oils for Men
• Essential Oils for Romance
• Essential Oils for Spirituality
• Essential Oils for the Chakras
• Essential Oils for the Seasons (Spring, Winter, Summer, Fall)

Best Essential Oil Brands

AromaWeb is an objective, brand-neutral Web site, so I don't endorse any particular essential oil brand as being the best. Although there are some not-so-good essential oil companies in existence that you need to watch out for, there are many wonderful, reputable essential oil brands available to choose from. Refer to AromaWeb's Guide to Shopping for Essential Oils to view objective tips that will help you choose reputable essential oil suppliers that are the best for your needs.