10. East Indian Sandalwood
Average price per ml: $8.32 ($249.60 / ounce)
East Indian Sandalwood essential oil is made from the heartwood of Santalum album trees and is very similar in its health benefits to its Australian cousin. However, the east Indian variety of this popular oil is said to have more potent effects and a better aroma.
Due to its popularity, increases in production of sandalwood oil to meet steadily rising demands have placed Santalum album on the list of threatened species. Any oil now produce from these trees is monitored very strictly in order to ensure responsible harvesting. For this reason, East Indian Sandalwood essential oil carries a significantly higher price tag than the Australian variety.
If you’d like to try it out, you can purchase a 5 ml bottle of East Indian Sandalwood essential oil here for just under $54 (?$10.80/ml) or pick up this 10 ml bottle for around $80 (?$8.00/ml). You can also purchase this 15 ml bottle for just under $185 to get the best price per milliliter (?$6.17/ml).
9. Vanilla Absolute
Average price per ml: $9.69 ($290.70 / ounce)
Vanilla Absolute oil is distilled from the seed pods of the vanilla orchid, Vanilla planifolia (the same as vanilla extract). Some consider the scent of vanilla to be relaxing while others regard it as an aphrodisiac. Either way, its sweet and sensual aroma has made vanilla absolute oil one of the most prized distillates in the world of perfumery as well as for individual consumers.
The high price of vanilla absolute is mainly due to fluctuations in supply and demand as well as growing conditions for the orchid.
If you’d like to try it out, you can purchase a 5 ml bottle of Vanilla Absolute oil here for around $25 (?$5.00/ml), pick up this 1 dram bottle of Organic Vanilla Absolute for $24 (?$6.49/ml) from Eden Botanicals, or you can find pure Vanilla Absolute oil which contains less alcohol for a lofty $65 per dram (?$17.57/ml) from Floracopeia.
8. Bulgarian Rose Absolute
Average price per ml: $9.99 ($299.70 / ounce)
Bulgarian Rose Absolute oil is produced from the blossoms of Rosa x damascena, the Bulgarian rose (also known as the Damask rose). The oil is prized not only for its incredible scent but also for its positive effects on the body – improving circulation, memory and concentration, as well as heart and liver function. Bulgarian rose oil is also considered to be an aphrodisiac due to its very sensual aroma and association with love.
Because it is an absolute – meaning that the oil has been extracted with a solvent and thus is not a true essential oil – this particular Burlgarian Rose oil isn’t nearly as expensive as its non-absolute counterpart (which we’ll cover a bit later). However, the large number of flowers required to make this oil still vaults Bulgarian rose absolute into the top 10 most expensive.
If you’d like to try it out, you can purchase a 5 ml bottle of Bulgarian Rose Absolute oil here for around $56 (?$11.20/ml) or pick up this 10 ml bottle for just under $85 to get the best price per milliliter (?$8.50/ml). Alternately, you can find Bulgarian Rose Absolute oil for $38 per dram (?$10.27/ml) from Eden Botanicals.
7. Champaca Absolute
Average price per ml: $10.12 ($303.60 / ounce)
Champaca absolute is distilled from the flowers of Magnolia champaca (formerly known as Michelia champaca). This wonderful fragrant oil not only offers a rich, sensual floral and slightly fruity aroma, it is also a natural remedy for stress, tension, headaches and vertigo. Furthermore, champaca oil is considered to be a powerful aphrodisiac, as well as to promote relaxation and happiness.
Champaca’s high price is due to all of its benefits and the fact that it is considered to be one of the best natural remedies for depression.
If you’d like to try it out, you can purchase a 5 ml bottle of Champaca Absolute oil here for around $50 (?$10.00/ml) or pick up this 10 ml bottle for around $90 to get a better price per milliliter (?$9.00/ml). Alternately, you can find CO2 extracted Champaca essential oil for $42 per dram (?$11.35/ml) from Eden Botanicals.
6. Ledum
Average price per ml: $12.40 ($372.00 / ounce)
Also known as Labrador Tea, Marsh Tea or Greenland Moss, Ledum essential oil is made from the leaves of a couple of different species of Rhododendron subsect. Ledum and most commonly from Ledum groenlandicum. The oil has been used throughout history for its therapeutic abilities to balance and harmonize the body and mind. Also, when used topically Ledum essential oil is said to be cleansing for all parts of the body and spirit, as well as to aid in weight loss, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and heal eczema among other things.
The high price of Ledum essential oil seems to be due largely to the fact that it does just about everything and does it very well, as well as possibly because it is fairly difficult to find in its pure form.
(Please note that despite its nicknames containing the word “tea”, Ledum essential oil is not safe to ingest in any quantity as it contains the highly toxic terpenoid ledol.)
If you’d like to try it out, you can purchase a 5 ml bottle of Ledum essential oil here for just under $67 (?$13.40/ml) or pick up this 10 ml bottle for around $100 to get the best price per milliliter (?$10.00/ml). Alternately, you pick up a 5 ml bottle of Organic Ledum essential oil here for around $69 (?$13.80/ml) from Silky Scents.