posted June 10, 2004 06:23 PM         

With cheap oils you may be breathing in paint strippers and other such harmful chemicals. These are often added to remove waxes and make oils thinner and cheaper. These are VERY harmful to you. You should not be breathing them, putting in the bath, or dabbing them on your skin. I belong to an organization in the United Kingdom that has been fighting for legislation to control this problem for years. However, the big boys block us at every turn. They don't seem to be all that concerned about you folks!

Now, let me see, oils for meditation?

Frankincence - to clear the mind.
Clary Sage - to relax
Rosemary - for protection.

I try and do my meditation in the morning first thing, or at three in the afternoon. Never when I'm too tired, otherwise I'm likely to snooze.

Scented candles are not all that helpful I'm afraid. Not unless they have really high concentrations of pure essential oils in them.

The "realm" is always awake. I think we are the ones that sleep!

posted June 10, 2004 09:42 PM         

quote:

---

I belong to an organization in the United Kingdom that has been fighting for legislation to control this problem for years.

---

I want to know more about that if you don't mind. Any website you can recommend?

posted June 11, 2004 12:02 AM         

The answer to your question is yes, you can combine them if you wish. Perhaps in a burner or diffuser of some kind - but you can use them individually too.

Some good tips to remember:

The word natural on the label DOES NOT guarantee purity. A reputable supplier will test supplies using gas chromatography. They normally guarantee purity.

NATURAL DOES NOT MEAN PURE.

Price is always a good indication. I'm afraid pure oils cost to produce and are highly labour intensive. Absolute oils [normally fragile flower oils] take ages to distill and are understandably even more expensive. However they are fab - especially the Rose - excellent oil for emotional purification issues, and because of it's base note, makes a great antidepressant. I call it the 'Lovers' oil.

Look for good brands.

Amrita - oils and good line of diffusers.
Tisserand - Good oils fair prices
Youngs Living - As above
Wessex Impex - Good reputation
Green Valley - As above

All of these are my personal choices. I'm sure you can find a good supplier either on line or good health store. WATCH OUT - it is possible to produce synethetic oils that smell great. Beware of purchasing such a products. Cheapie = BAD.

Meditation Tapes: Go to Borders. You'll find some great ones. I like Stuart Wilde, Osho, and I love the White Eagle ones. Sometimes I meditate to Gregorian Chants or use the Hemi Sync developed by the Monroe Institute. They are all really good. I loved the Hemi Sync because it synchronizes brain wave activity
[both sides of the brain] and takes you into deeper states. Maybe scary though if your not used to the unusual sounds.

I'll answer your question later Yin as I'm going to be late for an appointment if I don't rush. I promise I won't forget.

posted June 11, 2004 04:06 PM         

It is a EOTA 95 a trade association dedicated to consumer protection. One of the founding members is a guy called Mike Van Moppes. He runs his own essential oil company. Wessex Impex. I used to buy large amounts from him at one time. I have the greatest respect for his work and his passion for oils. For years now, the United Kingdom Trading Standards depts have been really hedging the issues of what defines an aromatherapy product or essential oil. EOTA have been trying to persaude the U.K. Trading Standards to prosecute merchandise which is very obviously NOT the genuine article and FALSE. Awful to think you maybe be buying a product to put on your skin, or to inhale, that a toliet-cleaner manufacturer uses in his product..Quite f ****** lovely!!!
Please excuse my French!

Can you imagine, buying say a plastic red apple, and having someone inject half a syringe of apple juice in it then labelling it NATURAL? For anything else it is fraudulent, considered a criminal offence. Oils that contain chemicals normally found in car engines, or paint strippers, do not fit the criterion of what an "oil" is.

Pay the price people. Dishonest traders get away with it by keeping you in the dark. It's not just a nicey, smelly, thingy, guys. These products get into your body and become toxic. They undercut honest traders knowing you'll go for the cheapie ever single time.

Ring your consumer associations and complain about the fact they don't inform you. They are mainly concerned with protecting their members business interests I know. Still it's worth a try. There is an organization in San Francisco called ROSA. Try looking them up. I think they are some kind of resource organization for Aromatherapy. I'm not all that well informed about the States side of things. NAHA - The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy might also inform you. Phone:888ASK-NAHA.

Hope it helps.