With the warmer months ahead and the windows opening up, many Berks residents will likely be looking for ways to freshen up their homes. For some, essential oils may be the answer. Aside from the allure of desirable scents, the oils are also used for their health benefits and other practical purposes.
Are essential oils for you? Navigating conflicting information online about these all-natural products can be difficult, but fortunately, a few Berks business owners have weighed in, offering their insight on how to properly use the products.
Which to Use & How
While the best oils to use depends on the situation, a few stand out to local experts as the most versatile.
“I use a variety of citruses, mints, definitely patchouli,” says Monica Dech, owner of West Reading’s Betula’s Botanica. Dech would be the first to you that the possibilities are endless, though. She has spent her years of experience developing more than 70 blends for her products.
For those looking for seasonal oils, lighter, fresher scents are the trend. Joanne Lapic, owner of Paisley & Company in Kutztown, recommends rosemary and lemon around this time of year. Both Dech and Lapic find that lavender is a year-round customer favorite that can be used for fragrance. Generally, heavier oils like cinnamon get put away until the cold weather returns.
Diffusing oils is the go-to way to spread the scent of any essential oil. It is effective, and it minimizes health-related risks. Users should still be aware of potential allergies.
Precautions
Any expert on essential oils will be quick to tell you that they should be used carefully. Doing research ahead of time is important. For starters, unless specifically told otherwise by an expert, essential oils should not be ingested.
“Overall, for most people, this is not safe. These herbs and flowers contain volatile ingredients, which can, in some individuals, irritate the esophagus and digestive [system],” says the founder of Nature’s Garden Natural Foods & Shoes, Susanne Fiori. Lapic echoes the sentiment, saying people should “never ingest essential oils unless under the advice of a doctor.”
Misinformation is the one of the bigger dangers when it comes to essential oils. “Get your information from someone who has studied herbalism,” advises Lapic. “There is a lot of misinformation out there, particularly since much of the advice is coming from multi-level marketing companies.” Being informed is key, and as Fiori and her business partner, Cindy Boyer, will tell you, essential oils should not be used in place of medications.
Where to Buy Essential Oils
Berks County is home to a variety of places to purchase essential oils, but three of the premier destinations are Betula’s Botanica, Nature’s Garden Natural Foods & Shoes and Paisley & Company. These locally-owned shops offer a wide selection of organic products, many of which are made by the businesses themselves. Betula’s Botanica, located at 412 Penn Avenue, West Reading, is the perfect place to visit to brighten up your home for spring. You can also visit online at betulasbotanica.com.
Nature’s Garden Natural Foods & Shoes has eco-friendly, organic products of all kinds and can be found at 4360 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading, and online at ngarden.net.
Paisley & Company features soaps and other self-care products containing essential oils made by the store’s owner, Joanne Lapic. Visit at 275 W. Main St., Kutztown, and online at paisleyandcompany.com.
