We have learned from our herbalist friends that the very best, highest quality, essential oils are usually made in small batches by small companies. In our Feb. 2012 newsletter we featured Wah! who asked our readers for suggestions for pure essential oil sources (seems her old time favorite high quality source (Young Living) had gotten too big!). Thanks for your excellent suggestions! Below is some of the feedback we received from you. If you want to add to this list or think one of these companies should not be included here, please write to us at ravianayoga@aol.com

Essential Oils

•My favorite company, and the only one I do business with anymore, is: The Ananda Apothecary, http://www.anandaapothecary.com/I have been practicing aromatherapy since about 1992, and used to be a distributor for Young Living Essential Oils, from when it was a very small company. However, after a few years I felt that their business practices left a lot to be desired, and I believe their integrity suffered. I l left my distributorship and tried several other companies, never really finding the quality I was looking for, until I stumbled upon The Ananda Apothecary, in Boulder, CO. I love this company! Their oils are far superior to anything else I have used, and the people there are over-the-moon helpful and knowledgeable. Any time I have had questions about...well, anything, they have been prompt in their replies, and just a really nice bunch of people to deal with.

•At Northern Westchester Medical Center, where I teach Kundalini Yoga and offer energy healing as part of the Integrative Medicine program, we use Elizabeth Van Buren, Inc., http://www.elizabethvanburen.com/about.aspx. Please let me know what else you find out.Sat Nam

Hello,I was just reading one of your newsletters and people want to know a good place
to get oils. My sister and I love Natures Gift (website) I cant recall if they have an actual storefront but she sells high quality oils and I love her whipped shea butter without hexane added and her Bliss Bath. Check it out!

•www.mountainroseherbs.com : Wonderful organic products, teas, bath and beauty, essential oils and even culinary herbs. Great customer service, too!

•I live in the Chicago area and would like to suggest that you check out my friend Jennifer Echert and her company, BerkanaWay. Here is a link: http://www.berkanaway.com/berkanakarestore.html

•One of my favorite sources for essential oils is Wisdom of the Earth. They are a small company based in Arizona. You can find them at wisdomoftheearth.com. They also offer training for those wishing to deepen their experience with the plant devas. One of their trainers, Siddiqa Salter, is also a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher. Give them a try.

•Hello there! Just an essential oil recommendation: MZ Alchemist Oils from 4D Shift http://www.4dshift.com/products/oils.htm. MZ is Mikael Zayat who is the one who makes the oils in Canada. This stuff is great and in my honest opinion, blow Young Living out of the water :)

•for pure essential oils--what about NHR certified organic from England--we sold them at a spa which I worked-- I love them

•I wanted to let you know about a great resource for herbs: www.cherylsherbs.com located near St. Louis... check out their website. The products are pure, and the people who work there are knowledgeable and wonderful!