FAQ

Product Related Questions:

 

What is an essential oil?
Essential Oils (Aromatherapy Oils) are the highly concentrated, volatile, aromatic essences of plants. The purest essential oils come from carefully cultivated and wild grown plants from climatic and geographic regions throughout the world. 

 

What is a carrier oil?
Carrier oils are also referred to as vegetable oils and base oils. They have extensive applications in Aromatherapy because they are used to dilute Essential Oils or absolutes for application. They are also used in the manufacturing of cold-process soaps and for massage by Licensed Massage Therapists. Each Carrier Oil has different properties and the choice of carrier oil can depend on the therapeutic benefit being sought. 

 

Are your essential oils organic?
All of our oils are certified to be 100% pure and natural, of therapeutic grade and free from any chemicals or pesticides. Although all of our products are of premium quality, not all of the oils are certified organics. We do sell a small number of certified organic oils. They can be found here: http://planttherapyessentialoils.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=224.

 

What are the different methods of extraction?
Steam Distillation: The most common process of extracting an essential oil is by distillation, a process that isolates the aromatic, volatile element of the plant with steam.

Cold Pressed: Expression, or cold pressing, is used primarily for citrus fruits like orange and lemon, where the essential oil is obtained in tiny pockets in the peel or rind. Oils extracted by cold pressing are the most volatile of essential oils and can evaporate quickly when exposed to air. 

Solvent Extraction: Flowers too delicate to be processed with heat or pressure are soaked in a spirit of solvent that extracts the volatile elements. The solvent is then evaporated at high temperatures, leaving only the most fragrant constituents behind. This process produces what is called an "absolute". 

CO2 Extraction: The CO2 extraction method yields a greater number of aromatic compounds than any other distillation process. In certain conditions at a low temperature Carbon Dioxide or CO2 can be pressurized to become a liquid. This liquid then acts as a solvent and is used to extract the oil from plants. After extraction is completed, the extraction vessel is brought back to normal temperature and the CO2 rapidly converts to gas leaving behind a high quality oil that is free of solvents.

 

How are essential oils used?
There are many ways that essential oils can be used:

Massages: Massage is one of the most beneficial methods of using essential oils because it combines the therapeutic powers of the essential oil with the benefits of touch therapy. 

Inhalation: Inhalation is one of the quickest ways to experience the therapeutic benefits of essential oils. This method is highly beneficial for helping respiratory ailments. Persons with asthma or epilepsy should avoid inhaling essential oil. 

Baths: Adding essential oils to a hot, soothing bath can create a relaxing and therapeutic experience. 

Essential Oil Diffuser: Diffusers and Aromatherapy go hand-in-hand. Adding essential oils to a diffuser effectively introduces the therapeutic properties and fragrance to any environment. 

Compress: Compresses are an effective way to apply essential oils directly to areas where they are needed the most. 

 

Can your essential oils be ingested?
All of our Essential Oils are certified to be 100% pure and natural, of therapeutic grade and free from any chemicals or pesticides. However, we do NOT recommend the ingestion of essential oils. They are highly concentrated and have the capacity to cause serious damage if used internally without the necessary expertise required in administering it. This is supported by the International Federation of Aromatherapists that does not recommend ingestion of essential oils unless under the supervision of a Medical Doctor who is also qualified in clinical aromatherapy.

 

Why are most essential oils not to be used directly on the skin?
Many essential oils can cause irritation to the skin. They should be mixed in a carrier (vegetable) oil before being applied to the skin. Lavender and Tea Tree essential oils are among the few that can be applied neat (directly) to the skin. 

 

What does phototoxic mean?
Most Citrus essential oils are considered to be phototoxic. This means that when applied to the skin prior to sunlight exposure, they can increase skin pigmentation. Oils that should be avoided approximately six hours before prolonged sunlight exposure include bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, orange and mandarin. 

 

Why should certain oils be avoided during pregnancy?
Certain essentials oils are considered too powerful for use during pregnancy as they may stimulate the production of certain hormones, and can encourage bleeding. Please consult your physician or a reputable aromatherapist before using any essential oil. Some essential oils to refrain from using throughout pregnancy include: Basil, Camphor, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Cypress, Fennel, Hyssop, Juniper Berry, Marjoram, Rosemary and Thyme to name a few. 

 

What is the difference between an essential oil and a fragrant oil?
Essential oils essences are expressed directly from plants or plant parts and are all natural, whereas fragrant oils are manufactured in a lab from different aromatic chemicals. 

 

How should I store my essential oils once I have purchased them?
It is recommended that oils should be stored at around 68 degrees Fahrenheit (room temperature) and out of direct sunlight. Refrigeration after opening is best. 

 

Policy and Procedures

 

Do you offer a distributor or private label program?
We do. Please send an e-mail to: wholesale@planttherapyessentialoils.com to request more information.

 

How does your 100% customer satisfaction guarantee work?
We want you to be completely satisfied with our products. If, for any reason, you are unsatisfied with one of our products you may return it for a full refund (less shipping) within 30 days of the purchase date.

 

How do I return a product?
All product returns require pre-authorization through the website. Please visit the returns section found here:https://planttherapyessentialoils.com/index.php?main_page=returns.

 

What if I want to cancel or change my order?
Orders that have shipped cannot be changed or canceled. Prior to receiving your shipping confirmation e-mail you may call customer service (800-917-6577) and request a change, but it cannot be guaranteed.

 

What is your minimum order?
We currently accept orders of any size.

 

What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards and PayPal.

 

Do you have a physical location we can visit?
We do not have a retail store, and (because of insurance reasons) we do not currently offer tours of our warehouse.

 

Shipping Information

 

How much do you charge for shipping?
In the United States, shipping is FREE for all retail orders over $59.99, otherwise a flat rate shipping fee of $4.99 will apply.

 

Do you ship outside the United States?
Yes

 

When will my order be shipped?
99% of orders are shipped within 1 business day. If a product is on backorder, or a shipment will be significantly delayed, we will notify you as soon as possible.

 

What are my shipping options?
Almost all of our orders are shipped through the USPS First Class Mail, with tracking. Occasionally we ship through USPS Priority Mail or UPS. We reserve the right to choose the method of shipment.

 

What if my order is lost or damaged in transit?
All shipping damages must be reported within 24 hours of delivery. In most cases we will immediately send out a replacement at no cost to our customer.

If an order is lost, it can take up to 10 business days to trace it. If it has not been recovered after this time we will replace it.

 

Where do my orders ship from?
All orders are processed and shipped from our warehouse in Twin Falls, Idaho 83301.

 

When will I receive my order?
Shipping times will vary. The majority of customers will receive their order within 2-3 business days, although occasionally it can take up to 5-7 business days for delivery.

 

Can you ship my item via overnight delivery? 
Usually. The price varies based on the size of order and your location. Please call customer service at 800-917-6577 to receive a quote.