How to Store Essential Oils

Although some essential oils oxidize and/or lose their beneficial properties in as short as six to twelve months (eg. citrus oils), others can actually mature and improve with age and their therapeutic properties can remain intact over a period of many years (eg. myrrh, sandalwood).

Aromatherapy oils do not become 'rancid' as with plant and nut based carrier oils, however they do deteriorate and lose their aromatic qualities and, hence, therapeutic value over time.

Regardless of how long any given essential oil is expected to remain stable however, it will achieve its maximum shelf life and maintain its therapeutic value from correct storage and handling.

The basic rules for correctly storing and handling aromatherapy oils are as follows:

• Store essential oils out of sunlight in a cool, dark place, preferably in amber glass bottles. Maximum life can be attained through storage of essential oils in the refrigerator.
  
  
• Do not expose essential oils to heat or light, or they will very quickly deteriorate.
  
  
• Do not store essential oils in plastic containers, as they may react and melt the plastic and/or cause toxins or impurities to seep from the plastic into the oil.
  
  
• Ensure an orifice reducer is fitted to the bottle to minimize your aromatherapy oil's exposure to air.
  
  
• Rubber dropper bulbs should not be stored on essential oil bottles. Essential oils are highly concentrated and may 'cook' the rubber, causing impurities to leach into and spoil the essential oil.

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