Sola wood flowers are a fantastic, beautiful alternative to diffusers or oil burners. I use them around the house to with a drop of essential oil on to fragrance rooms gently. I think they are just so pretty!

Sola wood flowers are handmade from the Shola plant, nothing else, so very pure, sustainable and no two will look exactly the same. The natural colour is ivory, but they are easily dyed. The sizes vary but are mostly 7cm or 8cm diameter.

These particular sola wood flowers come from Thailand, renowned for its craftsmanship. I tried several suppliers and the flowers definitely vary in quality! These were the best, and the best value, I thought - they are sold to florists, who need good quality for wedding bouquets etc. They are very light, eco friendly and highly absorbent so essential oils last on them.

How to use

Arrange them in decorative bowls. I like one beautiful flower in a small bowl so you can admire the craftsmanship and they look so real! Or pop a mix in a large bowl. You can glue them to wooden stems and add them to real or faux flower arrangements, although I've not tried that. Personally, I add a drop of a favourite essential oil blend either between the petals, or if the oil is coloured, on the back stem just in case. It will carry the aroma and release the therapeutic oil for months, gradually becoming less and less strong.

Extra info:

Compared to fresh and faux flowers, sola wood flowers are by far the most environmentally conscious choice. They are made from renewable wood and are free of damaging pollutants and chemicals. If composted correctly, they will break down without a trace.

Here's a fascinating video showing how they are made in India.

To maintain their beauty:

• Store them in a dry place to prevent moisture damage
• Keep out of direct sunlight to maintain their colour
• Handle gently to preserve their delicate petal structure