My Favorite Aromatherapy Books

I get a lot questions from people asking me what my favorite aromatherapy books are. I've read quite a a lot of books throughout the years and some are better than others. Once you learn more about essential oils you realize that many books have a lot of the same information.

Here we go:

My absolute favorite book is The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy by Salvatore Battaglia. It was a required textbook in my 12 month aromatherapy education at the American College of Healthcare Sciences, and I'm pleased to see that they still use the book. This book has been a great help in my consulting and blogging. I also like it because Battaglia also addresses dietary and lifestyle changes for each health condition. I purchased the first edition through my college and I purchased the second edition in a health food store in Wales, UK. It is quite an expensive book and it cost $ 110.00 on Amazon but you can buy it from my college store for $ 90.75. I highly recommend this book and it has so much information in it that you really don't need many other books. This is what it says about it in the Apothecary Shoppe:

"An indispensable book for everyone who wants to be extensively familiarized in the art and science of Aromatherapy. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy is written in a clear, concise and well-presented format, with the student, professional Aromatherapist, pharmacist, nurse, doctor and lay-person in mind. Information contained within the 467 pages is quickly accessed through two comprehensive indexes, 29 well-defined chapters, and an array of appendices. This is the most recent edition with five new chapters.

Over 90 Essential oils are covered in detail as well as detailed information on the treatment of a wide range of conditions. Also included is some of the latest research on the psychological effects of Essential Oils and the implications for present day Aromatherapy."

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Another favorite book of mine is Aromatherapy - Soothing Remedies to Restore, Rejuvenate, and Heal by Valeri Gennari Cooksley, R.N. I really enjoy this book, Cooksley shares some great recipes and information in this book and I've used it so much so the book has fallen apart. You can purchase this book used for about 12 dollars on Amazon or for $ 49.95 from Barnes and Nobles. This is what it says about the book on Amazon:

"Science has now confirmed what has been known since the time of the Caesars: essential oils have healing properties for a wide variety of physical and emotional conditions. In fact, essential oils have been considered among the most therapeutic and rejuvenating of all botanical extracts.

This step-by-step guide demystifies the herbal healing art, and provides all the tools and techniques necessary to prepare and use the curative power of essential oils to relieve illness and restore youth and vitality -- without the use of drugs or other invasive health treatments. Chapters cover how to buy and make essential oils; how to use them to attain ultimate calm and relaxation; soothing, proven treatments for more than 100 health conditions; dozens of special blends and recipes developed by the author for a variety of ills; true case studies of healing success; plus a complete reference to the more than 100 aromatics and blends and their healing abilities."

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I always enjoy Valeri Ann Worwood's books and most of her books are available on kindle. The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy was the first book I purchased and it is a great book to look up quick information. This is what Amazon says about this book:

"A necessary resource for anyone interested in alternative approaches to healing, this book contains more than 600 easy-to-follow recipes for essential oil treatments and aromatherapy."

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Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child is another book by Worwood and it is a must have book for parents. It is also available for kindle for only $ 9.99. This is what it says about this book on Amazon:

"This reference shows how essential oils can help parents raise healthier, happier children. Chapters cover every age from newborn to teen with aromatherapy remedies for typical problems--from diaper rash to bedwetting to asthma. The book features information for pregnant mothers and physically challenged children and appendices with reference charts, safety data, and supplier information. This is a valuable book for every concerned parent."

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The Fragrant Mind: Aromatherapy for the Personality, Mind, Mood and Emotion and Aromatherapy for the Soul: Healing the Spirit with Fragrance and Essential Oils are two other books by Worwood that I own.

This is what Amazon says about them:

"Written in an accessible style and aimed at aromatherapists, practitioners of alternative medicine, and anyone wishing to use aromatherapy to maintain a peaceful equilibrium or bring about positive change, this book concentrates on the mood-changing effects of natural oils. "A good addition to alternative medicine collections."--Library Journal.

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"Fragrances, with their intriguing ability to evoke emotions, memories, and visions, have played an important role in the world’s spiritual traditions since the dawn of time. Drawn from the essential oils of plants, they serve as an earthly connection with the Divine. In her fascinating book, renowned aromatherapist Valerie Ann Worwood breaks new ground with an in-depth study of the use of fragrance in spirituality. Drawing on the pioneering research of eminent scientists and the insights of leading spiritual teachers, she provides exhaustive guidelines detailing how fragrance can be used in many spiritual practices, from Shinto and Buddhism to Native American rites. Extensive charts, exercises, and formulas demonstrate the use of aroma in healing, prayer, and meditation and in conjunction with vibrational and energetic healing. Covering more than 70 essential oils, this extraordinary guide helps readers call upon the divine power of fragrance to enrich their own spiritual journeys."

I also like Kurt Schnaubelt's books but some of them may be little too intense for someone new at aromatherapy.

Shirley Price:

I also have many other books but the books mentioned above are the ones I like the most and are used very often. Do you have a favorite book that I didn't mention?

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Johanna is an aromatherapist and she is passionate about educating people about health, essential oils, real food, natural remedies, and nutrition so they make healthier choices in their lives.
Follow Johanna on twitter and facebook for more health tips and information.

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Make Your Own Natural Eye Care Products

With an initial investment in essential oils and vegetable oils you can make a pretty good eye care product instead of purchasing expensive products. A good quality essential oil cost more than the inferior products, but you will see fine results in a healthier way. The same goes for vegetable oils; never purchase cheap unrefined massage oils in a clear bottle since they need to be stored dark like the essential oils.

I was looking at some eye creams online and since I make my own skin care products I had no idea that they were so expensive.

I decided to take a closer look at this Caudalie Eye Cream for 95 dollars to see what I would get for my money:

They don't use parabens, triclosan, phtalates, or petrochemicals so that's pretty impressive.
The product focus on revitalize and renew skin on the delicate eye area for transformational results is amazing according to the claims.
It contains viniferine, which according to the product information, reduces dark spots.
Grape seed polyphenols have been added to protect the skin and delivers antioxidant properties.
It contains tetrapeptides which fights puffiness, dark circles, and wrinkles.

I don't even know if this product lives up to its claims, but according to testimonies it does. The ingredient list is long, but is it necessary to put all those extra ingredients on the skin? I don't think so!

Let's see what we can use for our eye product:

Carrot seed oil is considered one of the strongest revitalizing essential oils for the skin, frankincense, sandalwood, patchouli, and neroli are also recommend.
Geranium, helichrysum, and spikenard have historically been used to regenerate the skin.
Ylang Ylang blended with lavender, or rosewood blended with lavender have historically been used to restore skin elasticity.
Lavender, spikenard, and myrrh have historically been used to retard wrinkles.
Frankincense is the most commonly used essential oil for age spots on the skin. Geranium mixed with patchouli have historically been used to reduce the appearance of dark spots. Virgin coconut oil is said to reduce them as well.
Essential oils have a superior ORAC value to most foods. For example, according to the Essential Oils Integrative Medical Guide, German chamomile's ORAC, antioxidant capacity, is 218,600 while blueberries' ORAC value is 2,400. You can also make your own antioxidant serum with essential oils, green tea, and aloe vera.

I do not design a special eye cream often, but I use ingredients in my facial products that are supporting my aging skin. Frankincense, myrrh, and Sandalwood are my favorite oils for skin rejuvenation. Learn more about what oils to use for aging and maturing skin. The facial oil I made the other day was also designed to care for my aging skin.

If you want to target the eye area specifically:

Make your own oil blend specifically for the eyes. According to Valeri Worwood, the basic blending guideline would be something like this:

Use 2 teaspoons of a suitable base oil such as hazelnut, avocado, rose hip, or wheat germ.
In addition to your base oil, add a few drops of evening primrose, borage seed, or jojoba oil.
Add 2-4 drops of suitable essential oils. Valeri Ann Worwood suggests lemon and lavender for ages between 25-40, and lavender and palmarosa for ages 40-45. For the mature age group she suggests to use lavender and lemon as well.
In addition to the regular essential oils, include a couple of drops of carrot seed oil.
Add vitamin E capsules. One capsule if you are under 45 years of age, and two capsules if you are older.

Blend the base oils, add the vitamin E capsule, and add the essential oils last. Make sure you mix well and apply very gently around the eyes. Leave if for a while, and if needed gently wipe off any excess.

What about puffiness?

Valeri Worwood suggests in her book, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, that you mix hazelnut oil with witch hazel, fennel and German Chamomile essential oils for puffiness and dark shadows.

Mix the 2 drops each of the essential oils with one tablespoon of witch hazel, cover and put in the fridge to cool.
Wrap an ice cube in a cotton wool ball, dip it in the essential oil and witch hazel mix, and apply over a closed eye and the puffy area.
Remove the ice cube after a few seconds and apply a small amount of the hazelnut to the moist skin.

Worwood also recommends to dab cold green tea or rose hip tea to the area. Keep the tea in the fridge to keep it cool.

As you can see, it's not really necessary to purchase your own eye cream. Of course, there's the convenience of buying something pre-made, and essential oils may seem expensive. True, essential oils can be expensive for a small bottle, but it lasts a long time.

You can't use the eye cream to make perfume, facial toners, acne products, anti-stress relief, lotions, soaps, or cold and flu remedies like you can with one or two bottles of essential oils.

You are not exposed to the unnecessary ingredients added to a store bought product either. So, you can't lose making your own fancy skin care products. Remember, you don't have to do it exactly like it is described here; modify and use the things your budget allows.

Before you leave:

I recommend that you always perform a skin patch test when you try a new oil.

Check out my safety page to make sure you are aware of any contrindications before you use essential oils. Some oils are not suitable when suffering from certain conditions. Also, Read this Before You Start Using Essential oils. Some oils should not be applied prior to sun exposure so make sure you check this list before spending time in the sun.

Not sure how to apply the oils? Visit these pages to learn how to apply the oils:

Topical Application

Inhaling Essential Oils

Are You Diffusing the Oils Correctly?

How to Dilute Essential Oils

Vita Flex Technique