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There is certainly a long-standing history of aromatherapy and essential oils in Turkey. Aromatherapy is the practice of using extracted natural oils from the flowers, stems, leaves, and roots of plants. And their ability to affect well-being can be both psychological and physical. Therefore, it makes perfect “scents” to buy essential oils while on vacation.
Aromatherapy and Essential Oils in Turkey
History of Essential Oils
First of all, the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians were all known to have used aromatic oils. But in Turkey, aromatherapy and essential oils– using plants and their special properties have survived countless generations. And Turkey is a global producer for a wide range of essential oils, including rose, lavender, citrus, laurel leaf, origanum, myrtle, fennel, anise, sage, rosemary, Melissa, and juniper oils.
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils distilled from plants whose aromas can be inhaled, and their oils absorbed through the skin. However, all essential oils are not equal. And for the purpose of this article, I am not referring to therapeutic-grade essential oils.
Essential Oils as Travel Souvenirs
Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
Aroma and memory are closely related. Inhaling the aroma of essential oils is widely believed to stimulate brain function and memory. And shopping for essential oils as a souvenir of my travels has become a passion.
Essential oils are an amazing way to transport me back to exotic places when I’m back home or not traveling. I’ve shopped for them in exotic places like Indonesia, Thailand, and Hawaii. But none of those experiences will ever compare to shopping for them in Mısır Carsısı, aka the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul.
Spice Bazaar in Istanbul
And the Spice Bazaar is undoubtedly the best place to shop for spices, aromatherapy and essential oils in the city. Consequently, you can while away the day smelling and testing the immense array of essential oils. And each one has its own properties.
Where to Buy Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
Ucuzcular
Founded in 1886, is one of the oldest spice shops in the bazaar.
Arifoğlu
No. 59, Spice Bazaar. The guy’s name is Teslim. His email is teslims@hotmail.com.
Ottoman Spice Center
No. 69, Spice Bazaar. Ask for Sabit Kaya. His email is sabit1984@hotmail.com.
Aktar
Due to the Turks’ long history of utilizing nature’s bounty in home remedies, Turkey has a specific type of shop referred to as “Aktar,” in other words, “herbalist” or the seller of medicinal herbs, spices, and essential oils. Nearly every neighborhood in Turkey has one and they make for an excellent stop to learn all about which plant helps which ailment and from which region they are harvested in.
Besiktas
There are many natural foods, oils, and other products in this very lovely and lively local market. For example, Kirk Ambar is a well-known shop, and Furkan is another. They sell foodstuffs, bath products, oils, loofahs, etc all naturally produced. There are hundreds of shops in this lovely area, the other side of the road from the Besiktas ferry terminals, a maze of streets full of interesting shops and a fish market. No tourists = good prices.
Popular Floral Oils to Buy in Turkey
If you love floral scents, Turkey is a great place to shop for essential oils. You’ll find these in local markets and aktar shops all over the country. They smell amazing and make great souvenirs or gifts to bring back home.
- Rose – Grown in Isparta, it has a deep, sweet scent and is one of the most popular oils in Turkey.
- Jasmine – Soft and romantic, it’s known for lifting your mood.
- Lavender – Calming and fresh, perfect for relaxing after a long day.
- Melissa (Lemon Balm) – Light and floral with a hint of citrus, often used for stress or sleep.
- Myrtle – A gentle, slightly sweet floral scent that’s used in traditional Turkish remedies.
- Linden – A soft, honey-like smell that people use to relax and unwind.
You can smell each one before you buy, and most shops are happy to let you test them.
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The use and existence of essential oils is very important. They can be used for essence fragance, massages, aromatherapy!
When I was in Turkey few years ago, I didnt know about the Aromatherapy and Essential Oils so I didnt get any home. I didnt know they have great stuff like this. I usually use essential oils during my bath to have a better relaxation.
Thanks for sharing more on oils in this post. I have yet to try them but it’s been something I’ve been considering
Start with something like an aromatic– lemon, peppermint, lavender, orange or grapefruit all smell delicious.
Oh wow! I have never been to Turkey, but would like to go someday. I also have never thought about buying essential oils as a souvenir. I think thats a great idea!
I love buying things that are small in size but big in memories and quality.
Thankksss. I am planning to visit turkey by end of year. I will try essential oils you have mentioned here.
Awedome, have a great trip!!
I heard Turkey is another place to source genuine and expensive essential oils. Having them as souvenir would be a such a good delight.
Hi Blair— it’s totally intoxicating!!
Oh wow! this is such a great place to buy essentials oils! Indeed a heaven for people who loves to collect different scents.
I love essential oils and would love to visit Turkey! Such a great thing to bring home!
I am regular user of essential oils I love to try new home made essential oils. Good to see your post about Turkey Homemade essential oils.
Essential oils have been flooding my facebook lately. I was even asked by someone to try its benefits. Well I would say there must be some truth to what they claim it does.
I use them for everything from cleaning to beauty to wellness.
I have heard quite a lot about essential oils in turkey. they are more homemade and organic. A friend uses them too! lovely article 🙂
Thank you. It was a lot of fun researching and writing this post.
Omg love it!!! I’m oil obsessed! I use lemon oil daily to clean with!
Me too. Thanks for stopping by.
I really enjoyed shopping in the market in Istanbul but picked up a lot of sweets rather than oils!
Mee too. I loved just walking around and listening to all the sales pitches.
I love essential oils! I’ve never been to Turkey but if I go I’ll be sure to bring essential oils back home!
I love essential oils. What a great thing to bring home!
I love learning about essential oils and aromatherapy. It’s so interesting yet not surprising to know Turkish people have been using oils for generations.
i didnt know essential oils was a thing to be collected when traveling! thats pretty interesting!
I’ve never heard of this essentials oil before, but it sounds like something I would use regularly due to the wonderful ingredients
first of all i always wanted to Visit Turkey , and i love anything essential oils so your guide is very helpful
I love essential oils! I’d love to visit Turkey to buy some. I bet the quality is amazing!
xoxo
Annie
Turkey is one of the countries I want to visit in the future.
They have many choices! I always have essential oil on my bag when I’m in travel.
I would love to see this in person. I love all of this kind of stuff. My oil collection is out of hand!
This is really interesting I have to admit I do like essential oils and try and diffuse them around the home. I need to look into them a little more though and all the ways they can be utilised.
I need to take essential oils to the next step. For now I just use it for scent.
I love essential oils so much. It is my little weakness. Aromatherapy is very nice as well
I’ve also heard that aroma and memory are closely related, and have applied that in our stores as well. Those images of all the oils lined up in that shop was GORGEOUS.
I’ve always wanted to try essential oils. I had no idea there was such a wide variety!
I had no idea that Turkey was such a big market of essential oils and aromatherapy. If I’ll go to Istanbul I will make sure to go to the Grand Bazaar and buy some. I do like exotic aromas.
Aromatherapy and essential oils, my fave two things in the world! Thanks a lot for this awesome post!
Interesting! I bet Turkey is one of those places that does essential oils really well and properly
great post and rose essential oil is lovely
I’ve wanted to start getting into essential oils! But somehow i never couldn’t.
I’ve wanted to start getting into essential oils! Also, the way the glass bottles of oil are arranged is so beautiful! They really showcase the variations beautifully
Essential oils are little wonders– beneficial in just about every facet of life. The display is for decorative purposes. Most of the shop owners let me test oils they had stored away from view. You can only do this here because of the temperature and lack of direct sunlight. Otherwise essential oil are stored n dark, small glass bottles.
I just recently started using essential oils so this is really a great post for me,happy to learn more about oils and their uses.
Hi Joan. Eos are amazing, with multiple uses in every day life. Which essential oil uses are you most interested in– health, beauty, cleaning, aromatherapy, etc…
What a fascinating post! Firstly, I have always wanted to visit Turkey. I also have a real obsession with both essential oils and aromatherapy. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Thank you Alexandra, I can’t get enough of essential oils– especially as a travel souvenir.