For many, the use of essential oils is nothing more than a new-age gimmick or fad. For others, they are a regular part of their daily routine and they swear by their effectiveness. So, which is it: fact or fad?

The answer, it seems, is a little bit of both. The practice of aromatherapy is an ancient one. The biblical account of the three wise men bringing gifts of frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus is well known. However, there are many claims around essential oils that have been shown to be exploitative and downright dangerous.

The folks over at Healthy Hippie Trading Co. believe in the many benefits of essential oils. However, they also want their customers to be cautious and do their own research before using. Owner, Sarah Rose explains, "I have been a huge fan of essential oils for years but I'm still a newbie when it comes to understanding all their uses and benefits. Anyone purchasing essential oils for either topical use (skin application) or aromatherapy (inhalation) needs to be aware of possible allergies or reactions with medications, plus know which oils are toxic to pets."

What exactly are essential oils? They are concentrated liquids distilled from plants using steam or other mechanical methods such as cold pressing. That beautiful fragrance from your favorite rose? You can have that in an oil. Have a stuffy head but don't have any eucalyptus handy? No problem, you can get the benefits from a bottle of essential oil.

One of the biggest dangers with essential oils is the possibility of an allergic reaction and/or a burn. Before using any essential oil for the first time, do a skin test with a very small amount of the oil on the inside of your elbow and wait 20 minutes. Some oils are so strong that they should always be used with a carrier oil such as almond, coconut or jojoba oil and oils such as eucalyptus, tea tree, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, wintergreen and ylang ylang are toxic to pets and should never be used in a diffuser around animals.

The Healthy Hippie Trading Co., at 20418 Brian Way, has an extensive selection of organic pure oils, as well as blends, and are happy to custom order. They also carry several books on essential oils to help you choose the ones that are best for you and your family. Stop by or give them a call at (661) 822-9797 today and find out if they have what you need.