essential oils

laurel · Post by **laurel** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:58 am

Most places that sell essential oil blends will sell you samples in little vials. BPAL sells them in 1/32oz glass vials which seems pretty typical. I've ordered such bottles to decant samples of scents I use. What stores usually do is sell them or sets of them for cheap and they also sometimes throw some in with a regular order for free. People are willing to pay for samples if it means being able to make an educated purchase of larger bottles!

I'm very interested in a vanilla based scent, I'm also very fond of cinnamon and of almond scents but understand that cinnamon might be a bit stimulating. Maybe vanilla with a touch of cinnamon?

I'm fond of spicy and/or foody scents more so than florals or incensy ones, but everyone likes different things.

The essential oil blends at Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab contain pure natural essential oils and no carrier oils or fillers. Check out the "FAQ" and "About The Lab" links on their website for more info. I've been a fan for years and have spent hundreds of dollars on their products in that time. No, I'm not obsessed at all (they really do have a rather cult-like following). I may write to them about this product and see what they think about using their oils with it. If I do try something, I'll wanna be sure I know all the ingredients and I know sometimes they don't list every single component (mostly because people try to copy their scents all the time).

Though the scent selection straight from SleepGuy is pretty darn good and I really should try more. I just got the starter kit with just the orange spice one and the minty one. I realized that if I use the minty one, I might be asking for trouble as one of my cats goes absolutely bonkers for mint (like more so than most cats do for catnip). I might end up with a cat rubbing my exhaust port all night and that could be annoying and/or dangerous!

Oh-- I do really love the idea of people being able to buy X number of scents together for a discounted a price as either a bundle with the diffuser and/or on their own. And being able to select which scents you get.

I didn't see the Deluxe starter kit when I ordered from eBay, but probably wouldn't have gone for it anyway simply because I know I'd never use the floral ones. But I would be all over a Vanilla based scent and a Tangerine Lime one.

Which makes me crave a coconut scent (the lime) . . . Perhaps a tropical drink scent would lead me to dream of pina coladas and warmer climates!

sinemac · Post by **sinemac** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:37 pm

I've been using the pur-sleep oils for 6 nights so far, and have found that I am falling asleep much more quickly than I had been for the previous few weeks. It's very pleasant to fall asleep (and wake) to the essential oil scents, much more so than the damp air smell!

I can't wait for the vanilla, as it's one of my favourite scents. I'd also love to see a sandalwood-based oil available (perhaps a vanilla/sandalwood blend would be nice).

I'll also add my voice to those commenting on the quality of the product -- the whole thing is well thought out, designed, and manufactured; definitely well worth the price.

SleepGuy · Post by **SleepGuy** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:37 pm

laurel wrote:The essential oil blends at Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab contain pure natural essential oils and no carrier oils or fillers. Check out the "FAQ" and "About The Lab" links on their website for more info.

Laurel I really appreciate your thoughts and ideas. I did spend some time on the Black Alchemy website and believe you when you speak highly of their fragrances. You're making me think about trying some--at least some samples.

At the same time it doesn't look to me like they are using plant-derived essential oils. They present their products as "perfume oil" which means synthetic fragrances. Also you can tell by the types of scents they carry that they're not essential oils because there's no natural, plant-derived equivalent (in the case of any "musk," ambergris, nuts, or fruits and most flowers (like english ivy, lily of the valley, etc.)). Almost all true EO flowers (there are a few), like rose and jasmine, cost far, far too much for me to think about using them unless I were convinced that there's a market at those kinds of prices (we'd be talking about $50 to $75 per 5ml).

No doubt the Black Alchemy makes some very nice fragrances. I've experimented a bit with fragrance oils (not in the diffuser) and note that if you're used to Black Alchemy scents you might find essential oil based florals (like lavender) to be quite a bit less intense than the fragrance counterpart.

Bret

Bamalady · Post by **Bamalady** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:38 pm

Looking back, I realize I should have posted a disclaimer, so here it is. I don't know SleepGuy. I am not involved in his company in any way. Nor have I, at this point, bought any of his products. My attempt to provide some information should not be misconstrued as an attempt to discredit one company or endorse another.

I do use Essential Oils, however, and have for years. I really enjoy them. I don't have problems sleeping now but can well remember how sleep deprived I was pre-PAP. If I develop a problem in the future, I will probably try SleepGuy's product.

Laurel....

Thanks for the info. I will take another look.

laurel · Post by **laurel** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:49 pm

SleepGuy:

You know, it's been a while since I really read about this so you may be right. I know they don't use carrier oils and they use the natural based oils whenever possible, but I think maybe they do use some artificial ones at times (though everything is vegan, that I do know).

Anyway. Have I mentioned that I was really impressed by how well-made your product is? You never know when you just up and order something (and I did it on eBay, not having read about it here or on your website first).

Your selection of scents is darn good. I just have so much BPAL stuff that I try to use it wherever possible (on myself, as a home scent) to help justify my addiction. :-) Plus, I like the stuff.

But Orange Spice is nice. Does the scent fade during the night or am I just used to it by the time I wake in the morning? I don't feel like I'm detecting it by morning, but maybe I'm just used to it by then.

johnpaul · Post by **johnpaul** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:58 pm

I have been diagnosed with MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities) but would like to try this product. Does anyone with the same condition have experience with Pur-Sleep?

OldHippie · Post by **OldHippie** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 2:30 pm

Today I asked my sleep MD if she saw any harm in using the defuser/oil in this way. I told her they were "natural" oils.

She said she saw no harm in it as long as the gizmo (my word, not hers) didn't decrease the air flow. She also says she uses a lot of lavender at home particularly in the bedroom because of it's relaxation properties!!

laurel · Post by **laurel** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 2:51 pm

My PC is dead so I haven't been able to use Encore Pro & MyEncore for a few weeks now (since before I started using Pur-Sleep).

Does the Pur-Sleep affect how well a machine (like the Remstar Auto) tracks your data? Does it make a difference in pressure output?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 5:11 pm

laurel, I find I can smell the spice in the morning, I even go 2 days before adding more. I do notice that the scent tends to fade after a few hours of using it but then if I take the mask off and come back to it in a few minutes its as strong as ever, so I think our noses just get used to it.

pedroski · Post by **pedroski** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 5:35 pm

Laurel,

You might want to have a quick read of viewtopic/t17747/Does-PURSLEEP-affect-AHI.html regarding that. I'm running a home trial to test exactly that, and the difference it makes to AHI.

Peter

-SWS · Post by **-SWS** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:47 am

blarg wrote: Small plastic pouch packs?

If it's too cost prohibitive to include with an initial order, perhaps you could sell a "sampler pack" that includes all the fragrances? Offer it bundled for a higher price?

Blarg, that's almost spooky. I didn't see your suggestion until today. I had already PM'ed the same suggestion to SleepGuy. He is undoubtedly the man who will have to weigh the pros and cons of business strategy relative to product samples. While the concept of aromatherapy coupled with CPAP treatment appeals to me immensely, I think the key for me will be in finding the right aromas.

I personally don't want to introduce essential oils to my own CPAP therapy until my therapeutic factors settle down a bit. Exercise and diet have my own therapeutic factors and physiology on the move right now in no small way. Because of exercise and diet changes I started in August, my weight has gone down significantly, my at-rest pulse rate has plummeted, my cardiovascular stamina has dramatically increased, my few residual desats have disappeared, my CPAP pressure needs have dropped several CM, and I even experienced slight hypotension to the point of having to eliminate some of my hypertension meds. But that's all stuff for a future post from me in another thread.

In the meantime I truly look forward to trying these essential oils once things settle down a bit with my own therapy. I suspect that SleepGuy's offering is a very good thing for some people on CPAP.

pedroski · Post by **pedroski** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:57 am

SWS, that is a very encouraging post and something for us to aim for, well done, and thanks for sharing that.

Peter

DivinMercy · Post by **DivinMercy** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:16 pm

WOOO_HOOOO

VANILLA

I missed my aromatic smells so much since starting therapy and am deee-lighted to be using this product

Seriously, this is the best thing that has happened to me this year.

I don't care if it is scientific or if it's all in my nose...errr...head We all have respiratory viruses here, and I have recovered the most, the quickest. A little bit of CPAP, toss with aromatic pur-sleep "clear" and I am feeling pretty decent in the congestion department.

Even though my quantity of sleep is not up a lot, the quality is improved with the CPAP and MUCH improved with the pur-sleep. I feel like there IS a light at the end of the tunnel after all. And that's only been since December...

And no, I don't know Bret or work for him....but he IS my new best friend

Thanks, Bret!

Blessings...

-Mary

WIJim · Post by **WIJim** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:11 pm

OK, I’m not big on aromas. Well, maybe the smell of a steak on the grill. (Bottle that!) The way people are talking about this product is spiking my interest. After being on xpap for the past fifteen years, I think I might just give this a try. A little something to spice up the hose could be a nice change of pace. I know one thing that would not be a good smell to bottle happened at deer camp a few years ago. My buddies came back from the bar and saw that I was asleep. They thought it would be funny to blow into my hose. The smell of stale beer being blown into your nose was not pleasant! I didn’t see the humor, but they got a kick out of it. So watch your back or should I say hose.

jrfoster · Post by **jrfoster** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:33 pm

I too am testing the Pur-Sleep essential oil system and find it comforting. I had to start in with only one drop, then after a few days up to 3 drops. I find myself waking up (which is usual for me) and breathing deeply to find the aroma! After 4-5 hours it is not as strong as went I went to sleep and I can barely smell it. I want to get up and reapply!

I want to try some new oils that did not come with my starter kit, so I will most likely order some more. Like Paradise and Comfort. It's amazing what smell can do to and for you! Just like remembering when Mom was baking something good in the kitchen., or the first perfume I smelled on my girl friend! Aroma therapy is a powerful method to help us enjoy going to bed and wearing the ole CPAP mask!

Jeff in TN

Mask

essential oils

Can't wait to order vanilla!