If you’re a fan of essential oils, you’ve likely noticed that some of these natural, therapeutic treasures can come with quite a hefty price tag. However, you might be surprised to learn about the world’s most expensive essential oils, which are so rare and costly that only the most devoted collectors consider adding them to their collections.
To satisfy our curiosity about essential oils and their natural health benefits, we decided to explore the top-tier oils that the world has to offer. We looked into their origins, traditional uses, and the reasons behind their high prices.
Here are the Top 20 Most Expensive Essential Oils in the World:
20. German “Blue” Chamomile
Average price per ml: $4.76 ($142.80 / ounce)
German “Blue” Chamomile essential oil comes from the Matricaria chamomilla flower, which belongs to the daisy family. The oil has a deep blue color due to its high azulene content and is renowned for its skin healing, anti-inflammatory properties, and its ability to relax both body and mind. Its high price is due to its popularity and the vast number of flowers required to produce a small amount of oil. Each flower yields only 1% or less of its total mass in essential oil, requiring at least 6.25 pounds of flowers to make just one ounce of oil.
19. Australian Sandalwood
Average price per ml: $5.30 ($159.00 / ounce)
Derived from the heartwood of mature Santalum spicatum trees, Australian Sandalwood oil is traditionally used in spiritual and religious ceremonies. It is also known for its calming effects and anti-microbial properties. Its high cost comes from the difficulty in production; the oil can only be harvested from trees that are at least 30 years old, and the tree must be cut down to produce the oil.
18. Violet Leaf Absolute
Average price per ml: $5.50 ($165.00 / ounce)
Violet Leaf Absolute oil is distilled from the leaves of the Viola odorata, commonly known as sweet violet or English violet. Contrary to what one might think, the oil does not smell like violet flowers but has a very green aroma and is used to balance out the strong scents of other floral oils. The high demand for this oil and the significant amount of plants needed to produce it contribute to its expensive price.
17. Angelica Root
Average price per ml: $5.57 ($167.10 / ounce)
Angelica Root essential oil comes from Angelica archangelica and is recognized for its positive effects on the reproductive system. It can be used for detoxifying the body, boosting the immune system, and improving respiratory health. Its steep price is due to the large number of blossoms required to make the oil; over 30 pounds of flowers are needed to produce just one ounce of it.
16. St. John’s Wort
Average price per ml: $6.15 ($184.50 / ounce)
St. John’s Wort essential oil, distilled from Hypericum perforatum, is popular for relieving pain, tension, and inflammation, particularly from tension headaches or migraines. When combined with Calendula, it can also help with soreness from sprains, bruises, and muscle cramps. Although St. John’s Wort is a common and often invasive weed, its essential oil is expensive due to its popularity as a natural remedy for depression, requiring elevated prices to make its cultivation profitable.
