Top Spots For Essential Oils In Philadelphia

Aromatic plant oils have been used therapeutically for centuries, offering relief from everything from the plague to battle wounds. Today, the practice of aromatherapy focuses more on using concentrated plant oils, called essential oils, to battle stress, bad moods and minor aches and pains. Whether you want a power blast of fragrance, a massage rub or an aromatic bath, essential oils can get your mind and body humming a sweet tune in no time. These are the top spots in the Philadelphia area to find the perfect essential oils for you.

Penn Herb
10601 Decatur Road
Philadelphia, PA 19154
(215) 632-6100
www.pennherb.com

Penn Herb was founded by respected naturopath Dr. Konstanty Kalkosinski in 1924 and has attracted hoards of customers to its retail and online stores ever since. The company does a big business in herbs, spices, vitamins and quality essential oils. A brand new, three-story flagship store called Liberties Gateway is expected to open sometime in 2013. In the meantime, the shelves are stocked with hundreds of cobalt blue glass bottles filled with Nature's Wonderland premium essential oils at the factory store in northeast Philly. Try the caraway seed oil for the scent of fresh-baked rye bread and the juniper berry oil to soothe both your mind and your sore muscles. The shop's pennyroyal oil is great as a bug repellant, and Penn Herb's coconut oil does wonders for adding shine to faded hair.

Related: Herbal Remedies From Your Garden

Essene Market & Cafe
719 S. 4th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-1146
www.essenemarket.com

Essene Market & Cafe made its mark on the Philadelphia landscape in 1969 as the first natural foods supermarket in the city. Located in the center of Fabric Row, the store has a bakery, deli and cafe as well as a section devoted to beauty products and essential oils. While the prices and selection are better at Penn Herb, Essene's location is convenient, and its exciting store design is more like an upscale specialty shop. Patrons also give it high marks for outstanding service with a smile.

Herbiary
7721 Germantown Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-2110
www.herbiary.com

As soon as you walk through the wrought-iron gate, up the brick path through a cottage garden full of vibrant, sweet smelling blooms, you know you've come to the right place. The Herbiary in the Chestnut Hill section of the city not only sells essential oils but also a wide variety of natural perfumes, healing herbs and body and bath products. For the environmentally conscious, it's comforting to know that the Herbiary carries therapeutic-grade oils from factories that support green business practices and small farmers. An online store and a second brick-and-mortar location at the Reading Terminal Market make it even easier to find all your essential oil needs.

Related: Top Spring Lines At Boutiques In Philadelphia

Eviama Life Spa
109 S. 13th St., 2nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 545-3344
www.eviama.com

Another green-friendly venue for essential oils is Eviama Life Spa. The facility specializes in a wide range of spa treatments, including facials, skin treatments and body massages, glows and wraps. For more positive energy or balance and relief in your life, Eviama offers buffet-style massages. Based on your mood, you can choose from seven organic essential oil blends, including juniper berry and mint for revitalization, bergamot and rosewood for motivation and lavender and sandalwood for stress relief. If you don't have time for a massage, you can still pick up a bottle of blended oils to bring home or to give as a gift.

Duross & Langel
117 S 13th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 592-7627
www.durossandlangel.com

You can't walk by Duross & Langel without being drawn into the shop by its heavenly aromas. The store is like a Bath & Body Works on steroids; it's that good. The independently owned boutique sells lotions, lip balms, body butters, soaps and candles to die for. Shelves are lined with essential oil blends, called massage oils and muscle rubs here, including eucalyptus and wintergreen for back aches and lavender and chamomile for relaxation. Beyond the store's fabulous products, its location in Midtown Village is great, and the staff is helpful, knowledgeable and engaging.

Susan DeFeo has been a professional writer since 1997. She served as a community events columnist for New Jersey's "Cape May County Herald" for more than a decade. A writer for numerous online publications, Susan has covered health, fitness, beauty and travel, all subjects that are near and dear to her as a married mother of seven children. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.