Where to Buy the Best Essential Oils
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I used to think that essential oils were a scam, but I ended up finding out that they are a great resource for your natural medicine cabinet for issues such as headaches, ear infections, tummy aches, viruses and bacterial infections, and more. But I eventually felt I needed to figure out where to buy essential oils that I could trust and that I could reasonably afford.
I spent a ton of time calling companies, asking questions, sampling oils. Literally, it was a ton. And it was very exhausting.
I've learned a lot with all the time I've spent researching oils companies and I've covered a lot of what I learned here in this essential oils series, some of which I wrote while I was still trying to figure out which company I was going to be using and recommending.
In this post, I'll talk about the company that I decided to purchase our oils from.
It's also the one that I recommend to you as having the best essential oils for the money, with natural healing qualities and no additives or adulterating.
How I Chose Where to Buy Essential Oils for My Family
This all started with my not being happy with the way questions were (or were not) answered by Young Living and doTERRA. So I started contacting a bunch of other essential oils companies and asked a lot of questions.
If you remember, when I started trying to figure out where to buy essential oils, I mentioned the following about Native American Nutritionals (now Rocky Mountain Oils) in Part One of the series.
“Looks like they carry good products, but they are a bit expensive. Their prices, for a number of oils, in fact, are almost identical to the MLMs in this group, Young Living and DoTerra. And I don’t see any difference on the surface in the quality department.”
In this post, you can see that I ended up recommending them, but this was really a surprise for me. After thinking that I was writing them off, I got a call back from the owner of Native American Nutritionals, and I talked with him for a few hours, which turned into many hours after that, and I felt that he really knew his stuff.
I was intrigued by what he had to say about his company and the oils industry in general.
We had countless conversations from March 2012 – January 2013, and I literally grilled him about his company and others to figure out which company I wanted to recommend, and if his, was in fact, good enough for my family and for all of you.
I now can say that I feel very comfortable recommending this company to you and am now using their oils almost exclusively (only because I have a few bottles of other brands left over).
I hope you check them out and I'd love to hear about your experience.
(Disclaimer. I did not choose this company because I was able to become an affiliate for them, but I am one. I decided to work with them and then we made an partnership agreement. I was the first affiliate for the company.)
Why I Chose Rocky Mountain Oils
Please note: since this series was written, Rocky Mountain Oils purchased Native American Nutritionals. Native American Nutritionals was the original company, then the two companies had a partnership. Then Rocky Mountain Oils (RMO) purchased NAN. I am even more confident in the quality of oils now that this all has taken place.
Here are some of the qualities that make Rocky Mountain Oils a solid place to buy your essential oils from.
1. Experience
The owner of Native American Nutritionals Paul Dean, was in the oils industry since 1997, being first introduced to essential oils about 30 years ago. He started his first full-time essential oils business in 1998.
Rocky Mountain Oils was founded in 2004 by two essential oil enthusiasts, Michael and Leah Vincent. With years of experience in essential oils, the acquisition of Native American Nutritionals, and 14 years of company growth, RMO has become one of the leading direct-to-consumer essential oil companies in the world.
2. Purity
Quality Oils – all oils have been third party GC/MS tested.
Certificates are available upon request by easily entering in the batch number from any bottle.
Almost all of the oils come from plants grown in remote locations where no pesticides, herbicides, or harmful chemicals are used and only natural fertilizers are used.
3. Indigenous Plants
All oils come from plants grown in their indigenous locations (where they grow naturally).
4. Oils from Small Farms
Almost all oils from NAN were sourced directly from small farms (many are from third-world countries). Mr. Dean contracted with locals in the countries from where he sourced the oils, finds a quality farm, sets up a distiller, and extracts the oils. The oils are then sent to Native American, then sent for testing, and bottled. The only oils at NAN that are not from small farms are mainly the organic citrus oils.
Since Rocky Mountain Oils purchased Native American Nutritionals, some of the sourcing has changed as the company felt they had to make some changes to put a higher priority on the purity and quality of the oils sold. They source from small farms and also from leading experts in the industry.
5. No Solvents
They use no solvents for distillation except when necessary, as in the case of absolutes like vanilla and jasmine (since the cost of those essential oils is otherwise prohibitive.) Update 2015: they now sell a vanilla extracted with CO2.
6. Affordable Pricing
They have affordable prices (not as expensive as the multi-level marketing companies, but not “too good to be true” either.)
7. Quality Pure Oils
I have a lot of standards for quality and making sure that you are purchasing quality oils. See this post on pure essential oils for that information.
In addition, I prefer buying organic whenever I can, and that includes essential oils. Recently (Nov 2017), Rocky Mountain Oils has included an organic line of oils in their lineup and should be expanding it soon.
8. Transparency
Details for oils are listed clearly on their site (including the Latin name and country of origin).
The company is working on how to indicate the growing method now that they sometimes have a variety of sources for some oils.
9. Reasonable Shipping Costs
Rocky Mountain Oils offers Free Shipping domestically in the U.S. and reasonable shipping internationally, with free shipping over $199.
10. No Adulterating
Oils are not heated, mixed with anything else, or adulterated in any way.
Unless declared on the label, the oils are pure. The only things added would be a carrier oil to make the oil or blend easier to use right out of the bottle.
What About Other Companies?
I often receive inquiries asking me what I think about other essential oils companies.
Please read this post on Essential Oils Testing and Quality and this report on 10 Things You Need to Know About Essential Oils to see if a brand measures up.
There are more and more companies out there on a daily basis. It truly seems that every day there is a new company selling essential oils and many are making claims that they are the only pure oils out there, which is not true.
My standards are high. I don't just want a company that says they are pure. When deciding where to buy essential oils, I want to make SURE I'm getting pure and not just a song and dance.
More Essential Oils Posts
Here are other posts that you might want to check out in this series on essential oils.
By 4 she had RSV, pneumonia twice, and had numerous ear infections. She had taking amoxicillin and augmentin so much that they no longer work. Hence my quest for natural remedies and preventatives.
Ugh. I am so so sorry about that. I had too many antibiotics as a child as well so I avoid them totally now unless my life depends on it.
This is for MendyEd – I just came across this blog tonight, and have been investigating E.O.’s for many years myself. I am an RN with a BSN, and have been offered jobs (careers) working with some of the best E.O. Companies in the world. “Elizabeth VanBuren” was the last. I just did not want to live on the road. I also studied with Dr. Jane Buckle, who is credited with developing the “M-Method”, a way of incorporating a distant type of hand massage to calm and soothe very ill hospitalized patients – and she uses a ton of E.O.’s and teaches how best to use in a clinical setting. She was trained extensively and now has a Ph.D. in Nursing/Atomatherapy from Great Britain. Enough of the back story – if your little one is having so many problems with infections, and the antibiotics no longer are effective, there could be another reason for her root issues. The infections, probably originate with INFLAMMATION. This inflammation probably begins because of what she is eating, and/or exposed to environmentally. This is not a flippant response to you. I have always had allergies (hay fever-types), then as a small child I developed massive food allergies that were misdiagnosed. I had bronchitis 3 to 4 times a year, pneumonia at least 1x per year, and ear infections were non-stop from the begin. of spring through the begin. of fall. Try to put her, and you also as well as the rest of your family on the Elimination Diet. You can find it online, Dr. Oz’s site, the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, etc. The food plays a huge part in these problems. I should know. As a child, of perhaps 3 or 4, I developed this awful situation behind my ears in the fold of skin where the ear attaches to your skull.. That area would become inflamed and itchy, red and hot to the touch, then the skin would develop a thick waxy layer and under this clears to opaque “crust”, my skin was weeping a copious, thick, clear liquid. 5 doctors later and the only when to venture a diagnosis told my mother I was allergic to Vitamin C containing foods, but more so to Vitamin C. I guess he thought RICKETS would be preferable to the ear issue. Needless to say, he was very wrong. I am still discovering foods I respond allergically to, but that ear situation is back. The tiniest amount in anything I eat causes all types of issues. Do the Elimination diet, take her to an allergy specialist, and in the meantime give her the highest quality PRO BIOTIC Supplements daily – I use Natures Sunshine Probiotic Eleven. It helps a great deal, another thing to get her on is L-GLutamine, it is an essential amino acid your GI tract NEEDS to heal itself of LEAKY GUT, and other very crucial things, like helping your liver to detox your system and help your liver become much more efficient. Like Magnesium (also important for her, you and the rest of your family) it is missing in the average american diet b/c the soil our food is grown in has been utterly depleted. As far as boosting her immune system you want to see the BEST Naturopath you can get to. If you are in New York or Connecticut, I hear Dr. Berman or Neuman- he is in Stamford Ct, and has his MD degree and went back to train as a Naturopath. He is great so I am told by friends who have been seeing him for years.
The E.O.’ are great, but supplements are required as well. As far as boosting her immune system, you can use thing called ADAPTOGENS, which help the immune system work better, and some are anti-viral, anti-microbial, and anti-bacterial. Black Elderberry Syrup (pure and organic ONLY) is great. Olive leaf extract, another great anti-viral, anti-bacterial and very easy on the tummy, Oregano oil is another great one, you can get capsules or use the EO and just one tiny tiny drop in a glass of hot tea or lemon water.
One of my all time favorite EO’s is Melissa, also known as Lemon Balm, or Bee Balm. You can use it internally but a little bit goes a REALLY long way. I put 1 to 2 drops in a 30ml bottle full of organic, USP/Food Grade Vegetable Glycerin. Shake it really well, let it sit overnight and give her 3 to five drops on the tongue 2 to 3 times a day. It is Anti-Viral, Anti-Bacterial, and Anti-Microbial – and it helps little ones to sleep better if you were to give her 6 to eight drops at bedtime. Do not go all out at once on using EO’s internally, I do not know her background and have not seen her chart – that is why it is imperative you get to a Board Certified Naturopath, or even a Holistic Practitioner – an MD, a Nurse Practitioner, etc. But ANY oils you use on a child NEED to be 100% pure, ORGANIC oils. Never pay attention to “Therapeutic-Grade” as a rating, it means ZERO, absolutely NOTHING.
100% pure Organic Buckwheat Honey is great to, with a cup of hot water, put in 2 to 3 sprigs of FRESH Herb THYME, with a slice of lemon, and sweeten with the Buckwheat honey – it’s great for stopping URI’s in their tracks and can help to prevent it from getting worse. Another honey is MANUKA Honey – from New Zealand. It is AWESOME to use, has a medicinal scent and taste, but Manuka Oil is similar to Tee Tree Oil, but is actually does everything Tea Tree does and more, and it does it faster, it’s great. Just try to order directly from the distributor/grower in New Zealand, and get the Manuka EO as well. Mixed with Eucalyptus (I like the lemon scented, but others like Globulus have a proven track record) and made into a “plaster” to use on the childs chest and neck and wrapped in a towel underneath jammies – And have an ultrasonic humidifier going, put eucalyptus eo, manuka eo,, FRANKINCENSE eo, and lastly always use SANDALWOOD eo – ancient cultures have been using sandalwood for centuries b/c it can turn bronchitis, and lung infections right around.
One last thing to leave you with, and this helped me when my little one was sick with yet another stomach bug – get yourself a great ORGANIC, pure cold-pressed Green Mandarin Oil (if you cannot find it you can use Yellow Mandarin oil) mix at a ratio of 1 to 4 or 5 with olive oil, or coconut oil and rub onto your babys belly in a clockwise motion, use your entire hand flat against their skin, and you rub it in this way, repeat the process for 5 to 10 minutes, and it will work. Something I did with colic-y infants – everyone knows how hard it is for them to stop crying b/c colic HURTS! But it will work.
This was a lot of info, I hope it gets to you. Best of Luck. -Dawn
Very interesting information. One thing – my practitioner (the previous one) said that one shouldn’t use the same gut healing supplements, like L Glutamine, for a long time bc then they lose their effectiveness. What do you think about that? Thanks!
Thank you!! I’ve been reading about essential oils for a while now and I just couldn’t bring myself to buy any. Everytime I read a blog it was either by a doTerra or Young Living rep and I just couldn’t take their word for it. Thank you for doing the research for me and remaining unbiased and critical. 🙂
I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you I was also kind of relieved you didn’t choose YL or DT. 😉
Thank you again!
Hi Corinne. I know what you mean. I felt that way all the time. But they did work for me and I was told I could make a bunch of money with them (especially with doTERRA), so I was tempted to say with them. Thanks for the encouragement and hope to see you around again!
I normally don’t leave comments on blog sites , but felt I had to. I came across your site when I was trying to do my own research about EO. WOW is all I can say ! The research you have put into this is truly amazing ! Sorry that you have had such a negative experience from others but really you should take it as a compliment . Apparently you are worth the fight ! Even if you did have ulterior motives , I would be thanking you for this info . People are still responsible for doing their own research , which now I will be doing with NAN . Of course I have now had some help from you 🙂 . Once again , thank you so much for all your research and putting it in a way that EVEN I can understand.! 🙂 All the best to you!
Thank you so much and glad you took the time to comment. It means so much. I hope to see you around again!
I don’t normally comment, but I was so blown away with how much time and effort went into writing this series! I just wanted to add my voice to the many saying “Thank You”. I am a mother of five and would never have had the time (or attention span, haha!) to sift through all of the facts, and I am so appreciative of someone else taking the time to do it!! Thank you so much, and from now on I will be purchasing NAN oils through your link. : )
You are too kind – and I am sure you are super busy! Thanks and hope to see you around again!
I have read all 7 parts of your series and am very appreciative of the “leg work” that you have put into it. I’m so glad you took the time and energy to research the different companies (something I probably would have NEVER done). I am currently a doTERRA Wellness Advocate but will be checking into other companies as well (must say I’ve never heard of Native American Nutritionals until now). Thanks again for your dedication to investigate.
I would do more if I could but I have to move on. I so hope you like them if you try them.
Thank you so much for all your research. I am now a dedicated follower of your blog.I am currently not working. It seems like I have had my head in the sand or been in denial for years now. Between health issues and public schools my brain is on constant overload. I am new to EOs but at 4 my lil girl became ammune to antibiotics. At 8 we are finding out she should be in a text book. It seems something new pops up every time we go to the doctor. Thank you for reassuring me I’m not alone for wanting the best for my family, the effort and other cheeks you turn in your quest for knowledge, and sharing for people like me.
Oh thank YOU for your kind words. I hear you on “overload”. Trying to do all of these things calmly is hard.
What do you mean she’s immune to antibiotics?
You are NOT alone :). Bless you and hope to hear from you again.
Wow, this is a ton of information. ..I have been pondering many of the questions you answered in your series. I recently ordered my first order from Native American Nutrition. ..in past I have bought only from Young Living but didn’t like the member program. …I have several allergies one being aloe vera…so to buy a item them find out it’s in the product is frustrating. ..thanks for hours of study. ..I appreciate it
Thanks so much – where were you finding products with aloe vera? Many places? I guess you like to make your own now, correct?
Very informative! Wondering if you did any research on Aromatics International?
I did, I believe. I remember that name. I can’t comment on other companies for multiple reasons, but you can check this post to see if they measure up. Thanks! https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/toxic-overload-health-concerns/essential-oils-testing-is-it-reliable/
There is also another company that just launched Sept. of 2014 and is shaking the industry like netflix shook blockbuster. This company releases every batch analysis at the touch of a button and they are able to verify what oils actually do in our cells on a scientific level!!! They also have tons of support from some of the top essential oil researchers and experts worldwide! AND are debt free! Feel free to email me for more information so I am not distracting from the value of this article at all! I LOVED it!!! We need more people to look at all of the options and really understand what essential oils and their companies are doing so we can make the best choices for our families. Keep up the good work! (email deleted by blog owner)
Hi there. I am sorry but I don’t mean for this blog to be a platform for others to market their essential oils (or other) MLM businesses unless I specifically ask for that information. I hope you can understand. That’s why I deleted your email from your comment. Thanks. I think I know what company you are talking about. I looked into them and didn’t feel they were as good as NAN on a number of levels. Thanks again.
I’m sorry if I missed a post or a comment, but did you make any recommendations for a diffuser?
Thank you so much for your very thorough evaluation of the different brands of EO – I have bookmarked the pages and will read it over and over again!
Hi there. I address them briefly in this post. Let me know if I can be of any more help. I hope to write a more extensive post later. https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/how-to-use-essential-oils/