Disposing of essential oils

[Six Bubbles]

Hi,

I have some old oils bought for my VTCT (over a year ago) which I have never finished because I don't like them. Could someone please advise on how best to dispose of them safely?

Tx

 

[Greg Calici]

If they're still in date then maybe someone would like to take them off your hands.
Which oils do you have, and do they have dates on?

x

 

[1st Baby Due 03/9/2010]

Hi,

They are: Bergamot, Benzoin, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Frankinsense, Geranium, Ginger, Majoram, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Ylang-Ylang

To clarify my earlier post, some of these I do like as oils but I prefer organic for my own use, which these are not. They are all over a year old so not really good for massage, however most of them still smell fine for roomburners etc.

I'm in Central London if anyone wants them otherwise I'd appreciate some advice on how to dispose of them safely.

 

[ojrtgwab]

I am surprised you want to throw away some of these oils.

Don't be too hasty as many of these have wonderful therapeutic properties.

Even tho you say they are not organic there are a few which you won't get organic anyway.

I do not think I have ever seen organic benzoin and as this is a resin it should last for at least a few years. Frankinsence is also an oil with an incredibly long shelf life.

I am suprised that you have been taught that after a year they are no good for massage as this is not the case. There have been oils such as frankinsence, myrrh etc found in Egyptian tombs of therapeutic quality and many bases are thought to improve with age.

You say that you don't like using "Non - organic" oils but.... 1) remember that many oils, you cannot get truly organic and... 2) top notes tend to last for a year, middle notes 1-3 years and base notes can last many years.

So, I would think twice befor binning them.

In addition, some oils that don't exactly jump out at you initially, can, grow on you. I didn't use benzoin much for years but I do now as I am getting favourable result with arthritis clients.

Same with clary sage, I use that more now and also valerian which I never used much but do now.

Patchouli

 

[shirly]

I would agree with everything that Patchouli has said. How many oils are truly organic? i.e. does the supplier know the history of the land where they were grown? More importantly is the reputation of the supplier at sourcing the oils.

And yes, there are many oils that improve with age - it would be such a shame to waste them.

 

[agevoralo]

Hmmm, pretty much a list of my favourite and most useful oils!

 

[Bloollave]

Hmmm, no one has answered the original question. How do you dispose of them. I have some really old oils that have gorn orf and would like to know how to dispose of them.

Love

 

[Sandy Bullot]

Here's what Aromaweb have to say on the matter - http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/essentialoildisposal.asp

and they have a page of non-therapeutic ways of using up old oils if they aren't completely orf but just a bit past it.

Also perhaps your local chemist would take them to dispose of, as they do with medication?

Hope this helps!

PS: Avon - I live in Bromley Borough, and am interested in taking them off your hands if they're still usable x

 

[~*~Niny~*~]

If you don't want to use them therapeutically why don't you put some in the washing machine each time you do a wash (in the rinse department) your clothes will smell fresh.

You can also put some on cards that you are sending out this Christmas (Frankincense is ideal for christmas cards).

I can understand you wanting to use certified organic oils in treatments but you may have to settle for wild crafted in some cases as they just aint available that freely at the moment. Alternatively you can use them making candles as you wouldn't want to waste organic oils for that.

Love Binah
x

 

[Darshana Rasal]

Sorry to say I tried this and my chemist looked at me like I was mad and said a very definite no. Unfortunately they weren't able to make any sensible suggestions as to what I could do and left me with the problem.

Some I have kept as I'm working on an aromatherapy workshop and want some examples of the changes in aroma that occur as oils degrade to give attendees a better idea of detecting changes by odour alone and also quality differences.

Can't remember what I did with the rest. Some were used on the allotment though.