Common Questions
Q How safe is to order through your web site?
A Our web site uses strong 128 bit encryption technique to encrypt credit card numbers and thus provides the users a safe shopping experience.
Q How would I know that my information is encrypted?
A When you sign in you would be prompted that you are entering
a secure site and a lock 
would appear on the bottom right of your browser. You can validate the authenticity
of the web site by double clicking the lock.
Q. How long does the ordering process take?
A. As soon as you place an order you receive an email confirmation. This would mean, that we have received your order and would be processing your order shortly.
Q. When will I receive my order?
A. All orders will be dispatched within 3 to 5 business days. Your choice of shipping will determine its arrival at your door.
Q. What if the product is damaged in shipping?
A. Sent us an email including your order number and we will resend the item.
Q. What if I am not satisfied with a product?
A. Send us an email with appropriate details of the product
and your specific complaint. You will then receive an email with instructions
for returning the item and upon receipt we will issue a full credit for the
product (does not include shipping costs) within 30 days.
Aromatherapy Questions
Q What does essential mean?
A. Essential is derived from the ancient word ethereal meaning heavenly in
the old times. Essential oils are named for their 'ether' like evaporation
and rising upward at a fast rate.
Q Why are some oils called essential?
A Plants that contain the aromatic molecule. When distilled, they produce
a substance that is similar to alcohol in weight and volatile in nature. These
are called essential oils, as they are distinctly aromatic.
Q What is a carrier oil?
A Carrier oils are vegetal or nut substances that have little or no aroma
and lightweight. Sweet Almond Oil is the most favoured carrier oil in Aromatherapy
as it is almost without odour and non greasy.
Q Why should essential oils be diluted in a carrier oil?
A When used on the skin for massage. To prevent undue fast evaporation. The
carrier oil molecule is larger and encapsulates the essential oil molecule
providing a slow release of the aromatic substance.
Q Why should essential oils be diluted for use in the bath?
A All essential oils tend to 'sit' on top of the bath water. Further when
the body is lowered into the bath water, the essential oil if not diluted
will rush towards the skin at the site of entry. We strongly recommend dilution
in Polysorbate 20 (see our Bath Essences) as this evenly disperses the essential
oil in the water and does not leave any 'oily film' on the bath as most commercial
bath oils do.
Q What is the benefit of your Aromatherapy Bath Essence versus mixing my own?
A Our composition is carefully blended with the appropriate measure of each
essential oil for a specific application. The formulas are 'medicines in a
bath' developed after years of research. Not to discourage you from experimentation!
Try no more that 3 essential oils in the right base to start.
Q Why do some of your products say 'avoid when pregnant'?
A For precautionary safety reasons. All essential oils actively 'do something'.
Those products that are designed to stimulate the system, are to be avoided
when pregnant as they may provoke an unwanted reaction. When pregnant, the
female system is in a unique mode and is best nourished, calmed and not over
stimulated.
Q Why are most essential oils not recommended for use with children?
A Children have very delicate and receptive systems, Lavender is the best choice for most children's' needs. Except for Bergamot, Lavender, Niaouli and Sweet Orange, all other essential oils are for adult use only. The exception to this would be Roman Chamomile or Geranium diluted in Sweet Almond Oil and recommended by a trained practitioner.
Q I have allergies to many perfumes, what is different about essential oils?
A Commercial perfumes today contain many engineered ingredients. Some create a histaminic reaction (sneezing, eyes watering). We develop intolerance to these odours in time. Our essential oils are Food and Drug Grade quality meaning all known allergens have been removed.
Q How will I know which essential oil is good for me?
A It is very easy. Simply sniff a tester of any oil that you are drawn to and if the aroma is agreeable your nose will accept it. If not and you 'turn up your nose' - then its definitely not for you!
Q Yes, but buying online, how will I know?
A Bergamot, Lavender, Sweet Orange are well liked by most people. Read the product information and consider the indications for use; if you feel this fits your profile then it is likely that it will be a good choice. Or send your particulars to patricia@patriciamiller.com for a personal analysis.
Q I have allergies to nuts, can I use your products?
A If your allergy is internal - in other words, you eat something containing nuts and you have a reaction, this will not be triggered by using a blended oil for massage on the skin. The molecules of Sweet Almond Oil are too large to be absorbed via the skin therefore it cannot enter the blood stream unlike when you eat Almonds. However if you are concerned it would be best to use Grapeseed Oil as a carrier for your blends.
Q I have contact allergies will this make a difference?
A Yes; unlike internal allergies, being touched with the offending element externally triggers contact allergies. Avoid any product that contains your particular allergen.
Q I had a bad skin reaction to Lavender essential oil that I bought in a shop, why did this happen and how will I know that your Lavender will be any different?
A In 25 years I have only seen two clients that had this problem with a high street purchase. It seems that this type of Lavender is one that was poorly distilled and the 'irritating' chemical elements were not removed. This low level of distillation is usually reserved for what is called - commercial quality. A very low priced essential oil suitable for furniture polish, waxes, candles, soaps and in some cases food flavouring. Patricia Miller quality assurance relies on our use of Cosmetic and Drug grade essential oils, the best and usually the most expensive distillation. Further we buy directly from the growers.
Q I have heard that Cinnamon essential oil is not to be used on the skin, how can this be true when you offer Yang Ming Cream and Body Cream that contains Cinnamon oil?
A In general essential oils should be diluted for all skin applications, especially on the face. Cinnamon essential oil is very aggressive and will blister the skin of the face if used in an undiluted form. I know, I experimented on myself thirty years ago and found out the hard way! Yang Ming Cream, Body Cream, Pain Relief Cream and Pain Relief Blend all contain a very high caliber Cinnamon Oil in conjunction with Ginger essential oil and other smaller oils. The nature of a CREAM application buffers the rough edges of both Cinnamon and Ginger essential oils. This allows the user to obtain the wonderful healing benefit without the hazard. Just to point out these products are for use on the BODY and in small applications for pain and discomfort.
Q I would love to buy one of these products - how should I test before using?
A Apply a very small amount, anywhere on the inside of your forearm, cover with gauze or bandage and leave for twenty-four hours. If there is no change to the colour of the skin or irritation felt, you can safely go ahead and use the product.
Q You recommend putting a drop of pure essential oil in the palm of the hand for inhalation. How does this square with your statement; do not use undiluted essential oils directly on the skin?
A The expression 'it's the exception that 'proves' the rule, applies in this case. The palm of the hand has a unique tolerance for most substances, especially acidic as opposed to alkaline (bleach, chlorine etc). Our essential oils are extremely high quality and contain no known irritating substances.
Q So why not just sniff the bottle for inhalation?
A Yes, this is an acceptable method - very desirable on a crowded bus or Tube train. However for Inhalation as therapy, putting one drop of the pure essential oil in the palm then gently rubbing the palms together followed by holding the palms of the hands to the nose (with eyes closed) and inhaling five times - has the added benefit of the heat from the hands atomizing the drop of oil very quickly and directly.
Q When will I know I have had enough inhalation?
A The sense of smell is our first line of contact with the outside world. Olfactory fatigue is natural and built into the 'nose brain.' The Nose knows. The beauty of Aromatherapy is that no aromatic substance can be forced upon an unwilling recipient. The Sense of Smell is clearly in charge and we respond immediately with rejection to repulsive odours. An Inhalation session is taken when you feel the need.
Q Are essential oils addictive?
A No, they are not addictive.
Q So why do I love some essential oils and feel lost without them?
A Plants and herbs are Nature's gift to humanity. When you discover that Lavender gives you a sense of calm and tranquility or Sweet Orange restores your appetite or Bergamot stops the travel sickness or Niaouli clears your head of a stuffy cold, you have found some happy, though non-addictive friends. High quality essential oils help to restore our emotional equilibrium. Life is tough and the world we live in is harsher than ever; whilst we may turn off the TV or close our ears to the sounds of the traffic, we suffer inside and our emotions trigger unhappy physical responses. To be well and cope in the world around us, keeping our heads and maintaining a joyful existence is helped by staying on an even keel. Your oils become your life raft sometimes and help you maintain a balanced emotional outlook on the world around you.
Q What do I do if by accident I get some essential oil in my eye?
A Immediately rinse the eye with tepid water, frequent repetitions until the 'sting' is quieted. Our essential oils are highly antiseptic and will not harm, but as they are strong, when undiluted, most will sting in the eye socket. If the eye is a little red after the rinsing, close the eye and cover with a compress (moistened cotton pad) or if handy, a thin slice of Cucumber. Do not apply eye drops or any medication to the eye.
Q What do I do if I spill some essential oil on a piece of wooden furniture?
A Hopefully you notice this sooner than later; wipe the oil up with a tissue or paper towel. We strongly suggest that bottles of essential oils are always kept on a glass or ceramic dish when used at home. Despite the wonderful gentle attributes of the Lavender aroma, the oil like most essential oils is volatile and aggressive, they will soften varnish on wooden surfaces if enough is spilled and left for a long period of time. Always cap the bottle after use and get into the habit of placing a small dish under the bottle.
Q Will the essential oil stain if spilled on my clothes?
A Most essential oils will not leave a mark, but some, like Sweet Orange that contain a natural orange colour will leave a mark which should come out after washing the garment. Heavy resinous oils like Patchouli will likely leave a brownish mark.
Q I have heard that some essential oils get rid of moths?
A Camphor is the old remedy for moths - but these days the smell is not much appreciated as most mothballs are made with artificial Camphor. I like the idea of a natural pomander. Take an Orange, stick it full of Clove buds and hang on a ribbon in your clothes closets. Or Lavender has the most pleasant rebuttal for moths - hang sachets of dried Lavender or make a cotton or linen bag, fill with cotton wool soaked with five drops of Lavender essential oil. Last but not least for the busy person - take tissues or paper towel and put a few drops of oil on it - tuck away in the corners of the closet. Check once a month and repeat the dose.
Q I like your electric warmers but don't have the right outlet. How can I use the essential oils to improve the air?
A In several ways. In a vase of dried Lavender or other dried flowers tuck a couple of cotton balls impregnated with your choice of essential oil. A few drops repeated two or three times weekly. At the office, a tissue tucked into a pencil holder, top up in the mornings. In the bedroom, tissues of Lavender in the pillows or linen basket. In winter a few drops of Niaouli or Balsamic Bath Essence in hot water at bedtime. If you have old-fashioned radiators, place a small receptacle on top and put a few drops of essential oil on at bedtime. Over time the house / office will become seasoned.