I get asked quite often as to what books are good resources for different levels of essential oil know-how. I only recommend books that are authored by those who are practicing aromatherapists or are deeply rooted in the science of aromatherapy. I have come to see the growing number of publishers and authors who try to profit off from the popularity of essential oils, and publish books that are attractive, but full of inaccurate and even dangerous information. It is because of this that I have decided to publish my reading list for aspiring aromatherapists. If you are interested in becoming an aromatherapist, continuing your education, or learning everything that you can to care for yourself and your family, I hope that you enjoy reading through my recommended books.
Essential Oil Books for Beginners
The Holy Bible <- I recommend knowing what the the Bible says before studying any subject, but especially where herbal practices are concerned. You will naturally come across new age practices when studying aromatherapy, and it is best to know what is real and what is not.
375 Essential Oils & Hydrosols - Jeanne Rose, Frog Ltd., 1999.
Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art - Kathi Keville and Mindy Green
Aromatherapy - an A - Z - Patricia Davis
The Aromatherapy Book: Applications & Inhalations - Jeanne Rose
Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child: More Than 300 Natural, Nontoxic, and Fragrant Essential Oil Blends - Valerie Ann Worwood
Aromatherapy Workbook (Revised) - Marcel Lavabre
The Art of Aromatherapy: The Healing and Beautifying Properties of the Essential Oils of Flowers and Herbs - Robert Tisserand
Complete Aromatherapy Handbook: Essential Oils for Radiant Health - Susanne Fischer-Rizzi
The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy - Valerie Ann Worwood,
The Directory of Essential Oils - Wanda Sellar
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy and Herbalism - Julia Lawless
Advanced Reading for Practitioners
Advanced Aromatherapy: The Science of Essential Oil Therapy - Kurt Schnaubelt
Aromatherapy and the Mind - Julia Lawless
The Aromatherapy Companion - Victoria Edwards
Aromatherapy for Health Professionals - Shirley and Len Price
Aromatherapy to Heal and Tend the Body - Robert Tisserand
The Book of Massage & Aromatherapy - Nitya Lacroix
Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy & Massage - Len Price
The Chemistry of Aromatherapeutic Oils - E. Joy Bowles
Clinical Aromatherapy: Essential Oils in Practice - Jane Buckle
Creative Aromatherapy: Blending and Mixing Essential Oils and Flower Remedies for Health and Beauty - Christine Wildwood
Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals - Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young *THT Favorite
Essential Oils: A Handbook for Aromatherapy Practice - Jennifer Peace Rhind
The Fragrant Mind: Aromatherapy for Personality: Mind, Mood and Emotion - Valerie Ann Worwood
The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils - Kurt Schnaubelt
Medical Aromatherapy: Healing with Essential Oils - Kurt Schnaubelt
The Practice of Aromatherapy: A Classic Compendium of Plant Medicines & Their Healing Properties - Jean Valnet
Essential Oil Books for Treating Animals
Essential Oils for Animals - Nyana Morag
Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals: A Comprehensive Guide to the Use of Essential Oils and Hydrosols with Animals - Kristen Leigh Bell
What I Recommend to NOT Read
In the end, not every aromatherapist agrees on every bit of information, but overall, practicing aromatherapists have your best interest at heart. Unfortunately, there are a lot of books not written by practicing aromatherapists, and many contain some very bad information. I recommend always steering clear of books published by MLM companies. While I have found that Doterra in particular, to have good quality essential oils, they recommend practices that are not approved by the board of aromatherapy and many of their practices are dangerous. Here are just a few examples of the worst offenders of essential oil misinformation:
Healing Oils of the Bible - David Stewart I wrote a blog post on just how adamantly opposed I am to the information in this book.
Essential Oils Pocket Reference - Life Science This publication is basically all Young Living and some of the information is not at all what I would suggest using for my family or yours.
Essential Oils Animal Desk Reference - Life Science
Modern Essentials: A Contemporary Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils - Aroma Tools Another MLM publication, advocating the improper use of essential oils to push Doterra.
I wish you all the best in your quest to be an informed consumer and truly hope that you have found this information useful. Many blessings on your journey.
