FAQs

About Selah's Oils

At Selah Oils we pride ourselves on providing only the finest quality, unadulterated essential oils available today. It is very important to us to be sure that from the growing of the plants to the harvesting and distilling, only the utmost care is taken to ensure the quality of the essential oils we carry.

We select only ethically farmed, wildcraftedted, or organically grown (uncertified but farmed with organic methods and principles) essential oils. All of our essential oils are GC/MS (Gas Chronometer and Mass Spectrometry) tested and analyzed. They are 100% unadulterated with zero traces of pesticides, chemicals, heavy metals, pollutants, fillers, or anything artificial. Before purchasing each oil, we verify its quality and will not purchase an inferior oil even if we must wait until the next harvest or longer. You can be genuinely confident in the purity and quality of Selah Oils.

Are your oils Therapeutic Grade Quality?

There is a large concern over whether essential oils are deemed "therapeutic grade" or not. It is imperative to purchase only top quality essential oils. According to Jade Shutes in an article for the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, "the term ʻtherapeutic gradeʼ arose during the 90ʼs and did not exist prior to that time" and was created as a marketing ploy to make "people believe that there were somehow therapeutic grade essential oils and then all others" (2). On the contrary, "there is no such thing as ʻtherapeutic gradeʼ (or grade b, c, or d)...a grading system, quite simply, does not exist for essential oils" (4).

To read the rest of this article, simply click on the link below:

The Quality of Essential Oils Journal

Do you share the GC/MS testing reports?

Each single oil has the actual constituents from the GC/MS testing report listed on the oil information page under the "GC/MS Key Constituents" heading.

If you would like to have the GC/MS report for any single essential oil you have purchased, please email us at support@selahoils.com and include the Batch # on your bottle.

Where do you get your oils?

A thorough amount of research (years worth) has gone into the selection of our oils. The conclusions we have come to for our sources are backed by hard evidence - we never compromise the quality of our purchases. We have chosen to work with suppliers who can provide us with high caliber, therapeutically crafted, and perfectly pure essential oils.

Each oil is grown in its most natural habitat. Our oils come from all over the world to ensure that they are produced in their most optimum environment. For example, we get our Peppermint oil from farms in the United States, while our Lavender is wild-crafted in France.

We select our essential oils with a few things in mind:

Supporting ethical farming
Obtaining wild-crafted essential oils
Obtaining unsprayed, organic grown (uncertified but farmed with organic methods and principles) essential oils. (Because there is little consistency in organic certifications in various countries and various regions, it is not always possible to only buy certified organic oils.)
The farm - the location and practices of the growers matter. Each one is carefully selected to guarantee that the oils purchased meet our quality standards.

In addition, to ensure the quality of our products, all of our essential oils are GC/MS (Gas Chronometer and Mass Spectrometry) tested and analyzed. They are 100% unadulterated with zero traces of pesticides, chemicals, heavy metals, pollutants, fillers or anything artificial.

Because it is crucial to have 100% pure essential oils, we select only the highest quality essential oils available on the market. Period.

Do you own your own farms?

No. See previous question.

Are your oils first, second or third distillation?

We really respect the work of Robert Tisserand. He has devoted his entire life to essential oils and their safety and research. He has a book that we rely on a lot at Selah: Essential Oil Safety [Second edition] by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, (2014). Here is what he says on his website and references again on page 6 of his book: "A few essential oils are ‘rectified’. Because this is also described as 're-distilled' it has given rise to the myth that many essential oils are distilled more than once – 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades, or distillations. But, once plant material has been distilled, it contains no essential oil – it is never re-distilled. Rectification involves fractional distillation in order to remove unwanted constituents. The essential oil is put through a second process using a tall, narrow column. In the case of bitter almond oil, hydrocyanic acid (cyanide) is removed, as it is highly toxic."

So according to this, Selah Oils are "1st distillation". We pride ourselves on carrying only the best quality essential oils available.

Do you dilute your oils?

The only oils that we have already diluted are for your convenience. Those oils have the carrier oil stated on the label and the website. These are intended to make the applications of these oils safe and easy. Click here for a handy dilution chart.

Are your oils cruelty free?

Absolutely none of our products are tested on animals, nor do we request for third-party animal testing conducted on our behalf.

I noticed that some of your oils are not safe for pregnancy or children. Is this due to quality issues?

No. The cautions against using an oil during pregnancy or on children are based on scientific, third party research that has not been backed by any major company. In other words, we want to make sure that the research is done by a qualified professional who has your best interests in mind, and is not worried about selling anyone anything. ;-)

With that in mind, we have fallen in love with Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young's book, Essential Oil Safety, published in 2014. These two gentlemen have devoted their lives to essential oils and their research - and spreading the safety information to the public. If you notice, they are referenced in just about every one of our pages - all over our website!

In their book they share that they have tested essential oils on laboratory animals and studied the effects, since it is unethical to study effects on human subjects. So, based on their findings we share their information... if essential oils are safe for babies and/or pregnant & lactating women.

For instance, they found that lemongrass could cause bone deformations in the developing fetus, and carrot seed contraindicated for pregnancy completely.

So, when we share the safety information, it is NOT an issue of Selah Oil's quality at all - or even our quality verses any other company. It is simply a matter of safety based on laboratory testing. We want to make sure the safety information is front-and-center rather than making it less obvious to find.

You say not to take essential oils internally. Is that because of a quality issue?

Although the quality of Selah Oils is excellent, it is not advised to take essential oils internally unless under the guidance of a certified physician who is also certified in aromatherapy. We recommend getting internal dosing instructions from a licensed physician as some essential oils are not recommended for oral consumption. This is in no way a reflection on our oil quality, only a matter of safety and caution with respect to how concentrated essential oils are. When used within safe parameters, and under your physician's care, the quality of our essential oils is such that they can be used internally if deemed appropriate.

However, with that said, it is important to remember the extreme concentration of essential oils. "Using essential oils by rubbing them into the skin or via inhalation is in many cases more effective than oral delivery" (1).

But this is something to keep in mind:

"While the application of essential oils via the skin is often the most effective form of treatment, there are instances in which using essential oils internally is appropriate. Again, their unique fluid and lipophilic nature has to be taken into account. In order to deliver essential oils successfully to the stomach and/or the small intestines, they must be absorbed into an appropriate carrier material or be emulsified in liquid. One or two drops will deliver the full pharmacological effect that can be gained from any given oil. Ingesting essential oils in their natural state will result in a fair degree of absorption in the mouth and esophagus; only a little oil will actually reach the stomach." (2)

Basic Oil Questions

What does "wild crafted" mean?

Wild Crafted means that the crop is uncultivated, grown, and harvested by hand in the wild without disturbing its natural environment.

What is the shelf life of most of the oils?

That varies depending on the type of oil. The shelf life of each oil is listed on the oil's product page for your convenience.

What is the difference between the Frankincense (Boswellia Carterii) and Frankincense (Boswellia Frereana)?

Personally, we have found no difference. We have used both species and have been impressed with the results of using Carterii and Frereana. They have both exhibited superior anti-inflammatory and antidepressant qualities, and have both worked wonders on respiratory and skin conditions (and more, we're sure). With that said, we have not been able to find any (independent, peer-reviewed) research showing a large difference between the two.

For instance, look at this table showing the difference between the several different types of boswellia.

We have found several articles showing the benefits of each separate frankincense. Generally, it looks like if a researcher is going to research Frankincense they will do their research on either one or the other (Carterii or Frereana). For example: "Studies about Frereana" or "Studies about Carterii".

They both are wonderful, superior quality oils.

If I have applied an oil to one area, can I apply another oil to the same area?

Yes. You can layer oils, or you can apply to different areas. One suggestion: Mix the oils you want together in one bottle. Before application, dilute with a carrier oil. Dilution ratio chart is here. Then apply a bit to your skin; this would keep from overwhelming your skin.

Can pure essential oils be used neat on the skin?

Most of the time, it is best to dilute. Essential oils are extremely concentrated which means they can cause skin irritation. Ideally, they should be used with a carrier oil, chemical-free lotion or base cream.

Click here for the essential oils dilution ratio chart.

Will essential oils interact with my prescriptions?

It is possible for essential oils to interact with your prescriptions. Each essential oil page has a "Cautions" section with info on how the oil might interact with prescriptions and which prescriptions in particular might be contraindicated completely.

Click here for more information about essential oils and prescription drugs.

I applied an oil to my skin, and now I have a rash? I heard this could be detoxing. Is this true?

No, but there are several reasons that you could have a reaction.

1. Allergic reaction to the oil.

2. Contact sensitization.

3. Reaction to chemicals on your skin. Further dilution is needed. Some oils are naturally skin irritants, so you would need to dilute the oil more for those (i.e. clove, cinnamon bark, etc). Click here for the essential oils dilution chart.

Can you put essential oils in a nebulizer?

No. Oils attack plastics. It will destroy the nebulizer. :-/

Can you put essential oils in a plastic/styrofoam cup or bottle?

No. The essential oils will eat through the container and leave a mess. Please always mix your essential oils in a glass bottle.

How do I get just one drop out of the 15 ml bottles?

With the lid on the bottle, hold the bottle (on its side) up to the light. You will see something that looks like a short straw extending inside the bottle from the plastic piece on the lid. With the bottle on its side and the "straw" on the top of the bottle, the oils come out quickly. If the "straw" is on the bottom, the oil will come out slower. From there, it’s all about the balance. ;-)

When I first turn on the diffuser it smells great, but after about 10 mins or so, we no longer smell the oils. Is this normal? Do we just become use to the smell or am I not putting enough oil in the diffuser?

Your olfactory senses adjust to the smell. Many people refer to that as "getting used to the smell." If you were to leave the house and then return, you would notice the smell again. You will still receive the benefits of inhaling the oils.