Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy: scent as medicine, used with respect.
We stock predominantly Soil, the established South African organic essential oil brand, alongside select Treemendus, Nautica, and Pure Soaks products for carrier oils, blends, and bath soaks. We look for organic certification or wild-harvested sourcing, batch traceability, GC-MS testing when available, and oils sold in dark amber or cobalt glass with the Latin botanical name (not just the common name) on the label. If a 100ml lavender oil sells for under R50, it is almost certainly not what the label claims.
What is actually happening
Pure versus diluted versus fragrance
Three different things share shelf space. Pure essential oils (single botanical, distilled) are concentrated and need dilution. Carrier-diluted roll-ons (3 to 10 percent in jojoba or sweet almond) are skin-ready. Fragrance oils are synthetic, smell similar, and do nothing therapeutic. The label tells you which.
Chemotype and botanical name matter
Lavender alone could be Lavandula angustifolia (calming), Lavandula latifolia (more camphor, decongestant), or lavandin (a hybrid, used for cleaning, not therapy). The Latin name on the label tells you what you are actually getting. So does country of origin: Bulgarian lavender is a different oil to French.
Diffuser drops versus topical dilution
Diffusers: 3 to 6 drops total in water, 20 to 30 minutes at a time, then break. Topical: 1 to 3 percent dilution in carrier oil for adults, 0.5 to 1 percent for children over two and elderly. Never apply pure essential oil to skin (lavender and tea tree are the only common exceptions, and even those sparingly).
Safety with children, pregnancy, and pets
Under two: aromatic hydrosols, not essential oils. Pregnancy: avoid clary sage, rosemary, basil, peppermint in first trimester; many others fine in low dilution. Cats lack the liver enzymes to process essential oils safely: diffuse only briefly in a ventilated room, never apply topically. Always test patch before broad use.
How we think about it
Start with the classics
Lavender, tea tree, peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, frankincense. Six oils cover sleep, congestion, focus, mood lift, cleaning, and skin care. Buy small (5 to 10ml) and use them up before expanding.
Add a small library
Rosemary for focus and hair, chamomile for skin and calm, geranium for mood, ylang ylang for romance, cedarwood for grounding, sweet orange for kids. A 10 to 15 oil collection covers almost any household need.
Use with care
Hot oils (cinnamon, clove, oregano, thyme), photosensitisers (bergamot, lime, lemon if sun exposure follows), and rare absolutes need careful dilution and timing. These are not starter oils; learn the safety profile before you bring them home.
Our top picks for this concern
Curated by what works, ranked by what sells. The handful we reach for first.
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Soil Organic Frankincense Oil 5ml
R109.00
Frankincense is the all-rounder: meditation, skin healing, breathing support, ageing skin care. Soil's organic Boswellia carteri at 5ml is enough to test the oil before committing to a larger bottle. The best single oil to introduce someone to aromatherapy.
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Soil Organic Rosemary Oil 10ml
R89.00
Rosemary for focus, hair growth (diluted in carrier on scalp, three times a week), and adding to cleaning blends. One of the few oils with published trials for cognitive performance via inhalation.
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Soil Organic Peppermint Oil 10ml
R75.00
Peppermint for headaches (diluted on temples), congestion (in a steam bowl), focus (diffused at the desk), and digestive ease. Avoid near infants and use sparingly around pets.
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Soil Organic Lemon Oil 10ml
R44.99
Lemon oil for mood lift, cleaning blends, and air freshening. Photosensitising: do not apply to skin within 12 hours of sun exposure. Diffuses beautifully on grey winter mornings.
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Soil Organic Rosehip Oil 30ml
R145.00
A pressed carrier oil rather than a distilled essential oil, included here because it is the most-used carrier for facial dilution and a treatment oil in its own right. Rich in vitamin A and essential fatty acids, ideal for ageing and scarred skin.
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Soil Organic Rosehip Oil 30ml
Soil Organic Lemon Oil 10ml
Pure Soaks - Body Soak with Essential oils 2kg
Flaxi Flaxseed Headache Compress- Bayleaf
Soil Organic Ylang Ylang Oil 10ml
Soil Organic Sweet Orange Oil 10ml
Soil Organic Sleep Oil Blend 10ml
Soil Organic Rose Geranium Oil 10ml
Soil Organic Roman Chamomile Oil 2.5ml
Soil Organic Patchouli Oil 10ml
Soil Organic Neem Oil 30ml
Soil Organic Mandarin oil 10ml
Build your stack
Three tiers, not 12. Start with one, add the next when you are ready.
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1ESSENTIAL
The first oil for most people
Frankincense is gentle, versatile, and useful in every setting: meditation, skin care, breathing, sleep. Start with 5ml to learn how you use it before buying larger.
Soil Organic Frankincense Oil 5ml
R109.00
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2BUILD
Add a carrier for topical use
Sweet almond is the gentlest, most widely tolerated carrier. Combine 1 to 3 drops essential oil per teaspoon of almond oil for safe skin application.
Nautica Sweet Almond Oil 100ml
R59.00
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3SPECIALTY
Treatment carrier for face and scars
Rosehip is the carrier of choice for facial blends, scar tissue, and ageing skin. Use neat or as a base for 1 percent essential oil dilutions for skin care.
Soil Organic Rosehip Oil 30ml
R145.00
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