I’ve tried several different brands of essential oils, and I can say, in my experience only, that DoTerra makes consistently excellent products. I won’t name the other companies I’ve tried, many of whom were very good, some that were not so good. I’m not in the mood to get sued for libel.

My first experience with DoTerra was during one of my massages. I get them every other week, just a half-hour, concentrating on my neck, shoulders, and back. The therapist dropped some oil onto my back and immediately the room was filled with this really pleasant odor. I asked her what it is, she told me, then put one drop on a tissue and laid it over part of the legs of her table so I could breathe it in while she continued to work on me.

The first essential oil I bought was at our local health foods store. It was peppermint, and it was fine, but didn’t exactly wow me. After that, I asked my therapist what brand she used and she showed me her collection of DoTerra oils. I’m pretty sure I could smell my credit card burning a hole in my pocket!

The most unfortunate thing about DoTerra is that it’s difficult to source, especially if you only want to buy one or two at a time. Amazon was selling some of the line, but I’ve heard they’re shutting that down. You can go directly to their website, but as I said, if you’re buying one $10 oil and being charged another $5 for shipping, that makes the product less attractive, at least to me. I have Amazon Prime, so I’ve been buying things from there.

Image courtesy of DoTerra

My favorite products, with some of the more technical information taken from their website:

• Deep Blue cream: This is a pain-relieving cream similar to Two Old Goats, etc. It does have a smell. I don’t find it overbearing or unpleasant, but you might feel differently. Features Wintergreen, Camphor, Peppermint, Blue Tansy, German Chamomile, Helichrysum, and Osmanthus essential oils. There’s also an essential oil using the same blend.
• Breathe: Breathe is one of DoTerra’s proprietary blends, with includes Laurel Leaf, Cardamom, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Lemon, and Ravensara. I have asthma and it does seem to help when I’m having trouble breathing or fighting a cold.
• OnGuard: Another proprietary blend, available in a whole suite of products. I use the OnGuard foaming hand soap all over the house – replacing the antibacterial soap that’s at least partly responsible for all these “superbugs” we’re seeing these days. Antibacterial sounds like a great thing, but it’s not. YMMV
  When I feel something coming on, I start taking OnGuard beadlets, usually 3-4 a day. They’re tiny and very easy to swallow, though most of us chronic illness warriors can swallow reams of pills like a champ. Lastly, again, when I’m feeling run down or am sick, I diffuse OnGuard essential oil with whatever other oils sound good at the time.
  I’m sure there are recipes out there for “bombs” that include OnGuard, but I like to play it by ear. If my chest is bothering, I’ll add Breathe. I almost always add oregano and frankincense, which are two of the most powerful antioxidants. There are tons of “healing” essential oils. I’d suggest picking up a book or ebook with information about the oils and what they do. Just today I bought this and this. Four bucks and I have over 200 more pages of info I can scan at my leisure or when I want something specific.
• The “heavy hitter” single oil blends: Frankincense, oregano, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, rosemary, and tea tree oil are the most powerful essential oils in general. They do different things; some reduce inflammation, some increase immunity, and some help with energy.

DoTerra and other essential oil companies offer many, many other products. If you deal with chronic pain and inflammation, it’s definitely worth your time to check things out. If you have any oils you like, let me know in the comments!