Refining Our Essential Oil Apothecary: Safer, Smarter, and Rooted in Care

Andree Noye
Jul 27
5 min read

By Andrée Noye, MA, Clinical Herbalist. Reading Time: 7 minutes

A collection of homemade herbal remedies, including infused oils and balms, arranged with dried herbs on a linen surface. 📷 Herbal Academy

At Circé + Medée, every decision we make, whether it's a clinical formulation or a shelf selection, is grounded in one simple question: Does this serve our community’s health, safety, and confidence in plant medicine?

Essential oils are powerful tools. But their very potency can become a liability when offered without guidance, or when shelves become cluttered with too many choices that aren’t clinically essential.

That’s why we’ve made the intentional decision to streamline our essential oil offerings, separating what is appropriate for everyday use from those that are better reserved for professional blends.

This isn’t about minimizing your choices. It’s about maximizing their relevance, safety, and impact.

Why the Streamline?

Safety First. Many essential oils sold in retail settings carry real contraindications. Some are phototoxic. Others are neurotoxic at certain doses. Some interact with medications or carry serious risks during pregnancy. By narrowing our retail offerings to those we consider safe, versatile, and clinically valid, we’re reducing the risk of misuse without limiting therapeutic options.
Clarity and Confidence. A crowded essential oil shelf is more overwhelming than helpful. Fewer, better-curated choices mean you can trust what’s in your basket. Each oil on our public list has been chosen for its efficacy, flexibility, and relevance to the needs we most often see in our community: stress, sleep, pain, immunity, digestion, hormonal shifts, and skin care.
Bioregional and Ethical Priorities. As much as possible, we prioritize oils that are sustainably harvested, bio-regionally appropriate, and ethically sourced. This means some rare or overharvested oils (like true sandalwood or rose otto) are omitted unless clinically necessary—and we work with alternatives that are just as powerful, if not more appropriate, for our region and needs.

A wicker basket holds three small bottles of essential oils, two in blue glass and one in amber, nestled on a soft white cloth, creating a calming and natural display. 📷Herbal Academy

✅ Retail-Worthy Essential Oils

Client-friendly, safe for shelf sale, and ideal for DIY kits or diffuser blends.

Here’s a closer look at the essential oils we proudly offer at Circé + Medée, in alphabetical order:

Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea). Gentle forest tonic for adrenals and circulation. Comforting in winter massage oils or joint rubs.
Bergamot FCF (Citrus bergamia). Uplifting and citrusy, this bergapten-free version is safe on skin. Great in stress blends and natural perfumes.
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea). A balancing hormonal ally—useful in PMS, perimenopause, and emotional release work.
Clove Bud (Eugenia caryophyllus). Very strong—use in blends only. A tiny amount offers analgesic power, especially in dental or foot care.
Copaiba (Copaifera officinalis). Anti-inflammatory and cannabinoid-supportive. Superb for chronic pain, especially in topical blends.
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens). Tones blood and lymph. Often used in leg oils, varicose vein support, and blends for postural fatigue.
Eucalyptus (E. globulus / E. radiata). Our top choice for clearing the airways and strengthening respiratory resilience.
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii). Supports skin healing, trauma release, breath rituals, and emotional grounding.
Geranium rosat (Pelargonium graveolens). Gently harmonizing—used for skin tone, mood balance, and endocrine support.
Labrador Tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum). Bioregional treasure. Used as a spray for ticks and insects. Niche and potent.
Laurel (Laurus nobilis)Known as bay leaf. A bold immune stimulant used in chest rubs and blends for empowerment.
Lavandin Super (Lavandula burnatii super). A more camphoraceous cousin to true lavender,
great for cleaning, sleep sprays, and muscle rubs.
Lavender (True) (Lavandula officinalis). Universally loved. Helpful for stress, burns, pain, and sleep. One of the safest oils for all ages.
Lemon Eucalyptus (Corymbia citriodora). Crisp and clean. A favorite for outdoor sprays, especially for repelling mosquitos and ticks.
Marjoram (Origanum majorana). Soothing for both muscles and emotions. Excellent in grief and sleep formulas.
Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis). Sweet and familiar. Child-friendly, emotionally uplifting, and lovely in room sprays.
Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii). Skin regenerative, antifungal, and deodorizing. A secret weapon in acne and foot care formulas.
Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin). Rich and earthy. Used for grounding, skin repair, and natural perfumery.
Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium ssp. amara). A lesser-known citrus that calms the nervous system and uplifts the heart.
Ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora ct. cineole). Gentle, safe antiviral. Ideal for respiratory and immune blends during cold seasons.
Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia). The old reliable. Fungal infections, acne, bug bites... every home apothecary needs this one.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis). Powerfully sedative. Use with care in bedtime oils and sleep tincture blends.
Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata). Floral and exotic. Used to calm tension, open the emotional heart, and beautify hair care.

Amber glass bottles are arranged among herbal leaves and flowers, evoking a sense of natural wellness and aromatherapy. 📷 Herbal Academy

⚠️ Clinical Use or Niche Essential Oils

These are still available... just not for general sale. Why? Because they require care, dilution, or context.

These oils are potent and valuable, but they’re best used under guidance. Whether it’s due to drug interactions, toxicity concerns, or simply niche demand, these are reserved for custom formulations, consults, or aromatherapy blends we make in-house.

Carrot Seed (Daucus carota). Liver support and skin rejuvenation, but not widely needed.
Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum). One of the most healing oils for bruises and trauma. Reserved for clinical blends due to cost and potency.
Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis). Detoxifying, but contraindicated in renal conditions.
Spike Lavander (Lavandula latifolia). Camphor-rich lavender; best for post-exercise or respiratory blends.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare). Potent antimicrobial. Not safe for casual use. Must be diluted to avoid burns.
Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). Gentle and deeply soothing. Pricey and fragile; best used in custom topical or baby care blends.
Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum). Antispasmodic powerhouse. For belly cramps and migraines, not for diffuser use.
Lemon Verbena (Cymbopogon flexuosus). Bold lemony scent. Can be sensitizing; use only in well-diluted blends.

How This Serves You Better

Assortment of herbal tinctures and salves arranged with dried herbs, showcasing a natural approach to wellness. 📷Herbal Academy

You get fewer but better options. Each oil on our retail shelf has been vetted for versatility, safety, and effectiveness.
You can still access the rest... safely. Our clinic-only oils haven’t vanished; they’re just integrated into custom blends where they can be used properly.
DIY just got smarter. Fewer ingredients, clearer instructions, and safer outcomes mean our DIY kits and workshops are now more accessible to every level of user.
We save you money. Instead of investing in high-cost, rarely-used oils, you’ll find focused, affordable options that do more with less.

In the world of essential oils, more isn’t always better. Smarter is better. And smarter means choosing oils that serve your real needs, in real life, without compromising safety or integrity.

Our essential oil line reflects who we are: rooted, clinical, conscious and always in service of your well-being.