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Curated here are the best essential oil books covering all aspects of essential oils. We’ve selected these aromatherapy books on blending your own oils, using oils to treat illness, oils emotional impact, and the chemistry of essential oils.

The books are organized for beginners, intermediate, and advanced users.

A Note on Book Purchasing:

Books available on Amazon.com can be purchased usually as Kindle, hardcover, sometimes paperback formats and when format choices are given, it will be noted here. Kindle is generally the least expensive and hardcover is the most expensive. Books are available as new and sometimes used.

Best Essential Oil Books for Beginners

The following books were selected to help you get started with essential oils and aromatherapy.

Using pure essential oils, from quality essential oils brands is a great way to take a step toward improving your health and wellbeing, and can be a way to heal certain unwanted conditions. These books cover everything from recipes to dispel body odor and relieving muscle spasms when applied to the skin to providing holistic care to cancer patients.

Many cultures for ages have used the health benefits offered by essential oils as forms of medicine and cosmetics, and oils were used as perfumes for  the ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Roman baths. In the books below, you’ll learn how to make your own essential oil recipes for healing and soulful experiences, which essential oils are used for healthy hair and smooth skin, and which recipes to use to clean your home.

1. Essential Oils for Beginners: The Guide to Get Started with Essential Oils and Aromatherapy

   

   Essential Oils for Beginners by Althea Press of Berkeley, California, USA is sure to inspire you for curing medical conditions, improve your healthiness and physical condition, and lift your emotions out of a slump calming your mental state. This book is a New York Times bestseller. Publisher: Althea Press (September 26, 2013). No author name is given.

   The many types of oils come from nature’s storehouse of plants, i.e., flowers, stems, leaves, roots, bushes, bark, and berries. Connect with the influence that 100% pure essential oils can have over you—it’s a good thing and works in a good way naturally.

   Science has concluded that essential oils prevent, heal, and are less expensive then chemicals you ingest and chemicals you use for cleaning things from the windows to the dog’s paws.

   This book will give you over 85 step-by-step recipes for health conditions. You will be able to create blends with the information given in this book. You will be given data concerning the benefits of essential oils and the wonderful world of aromatherapy.

   The book is available in Kindle, hardback, or paperback, new or used.

   The paperback is 238 pages, it is written in English, the dimensions are 5.5-inches wide x 8.5-inches tall x 0.6-inches thick, and it weighs about 10 ounces.

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2. Essential Oils & Aromatherapy, An Introductory Guide: More Than 300 Recipes for Health, Home, and Beauty

   

   Essential Oils & Aromatherapy, An Introductory Guide by Sonoma Press from the creators of the New York Times bestseller Essential Oils for Beginners is sure to be your introduction to learning about essential oils and aromatherapy in a holistic manner. Publisher: Sonoma Press (December 1, 2014). No author name is given.

   It has more than 300 step-by-step recipes for beauty, your health, and home situations. You will learn about essential oils, how to use them, knowing different brands, and why not to take essential oils internally. Discover more about how to add essential oils to carrier oils.

   The guide will provide you with the tools and tips you need as well as techniques for you to start your own creations for toxic-free methods to heal, alleviate pain, and everyday home products for your toolkit.

   You will find 25 of the most popular essential oils and what conditions each one treats, plus the book gives the history of essential oils long ago used by our ancient ancestors. Learn how to distinguish pure essential oils from fakes.

   The book is available in Kindle or paperback, new or used.

   The paperback is 328 pages, it is written in English, the dimensions are 6.5-inches wide x 9.5-inches tall x 1-inch thick and it weighs about 12 ounces.

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3. Essential Oils: The Complete Guide: Essential Oils for Beginners, Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Recipes

   

   The Complete Guide: Essential Oils for Beginners, Aromatherapy, and Essential Oil Recipes written by Amy Joyson will give you the history of essential oils and how to use them properly. Publisher: Lulu.com (July 25, 2015).

   You will understand how the plants are grown, processed, and how health benefits of essential oils are achieved.

   The second edition uncovers some of the mysteries surrounding essential oils and why they are not considered as therapeutic drugs by the federal government. The author writes vibrantly defining the top oils and adds 2 free books of more information.

   Discover the 30 most common essentials oils including lemon, eucalyptus, chamomile, frankincense, and lavender. You will acquire more information about how to store your essential oils and carrier oils and to understand the differences between these two. You will have recipes with step-by-step instructions to make over 100 oil blends and how to do a hands-on healing massage with essential oils, using a method similar to the aromatouch technique. You can even use essential oils with your pets.

   The book is available in Kindle, hardback, or paperback, new or used.

   The paperback is 244 pages, it is written in English, the dimensions are 6-inches wide x 9-inches tall x 0.7-inches thick, and it weighs about 11 ounces.

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4. Reference Guide for Essential Oils

   

   The Reference Guide for Essential Oils is a spiral bound hard cover that is glossy using an ultra violet machine light so that being sturdy it will stand on your shelf. The book’s finish allows you to clean up any spills without damaging the cover. The informative book was published in 2014 by Connie and Alan Higley, authors. Publisher: Abundant Health (2014).

   This book has been so well liked that it is still a best seller on Amazon.com^®. The book is in full color and uses color codes to help the reader with data.

   Find out as many people have about nature’s healing abilities using 100% pure essential oils. The oils are created from the plants and packaged for your subsequent use. You will have better health and get-up-and-go when you discover how to use and blend oils discussed in this outstanding book.

   The book has footnotes for references and more than 300 studies are shown. You will find data for over 100 essential oils including 150 blends available for purchase. If you are a novice or an old hand at essential oils, this book will captivate and interest you in many ways.

   Some readers feel that this book is based on Gary Young’s products, Young Living^® essential oils.

   The book is available in a lustrous hardback spiral format.

   The hardback is unknown number of pages, it is written in English, the dimensions are 11.2-inches wide x 11.2-inches tall x 1.6-inch thick, and it weighs about 2 pounds.

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5. Essential Oils Pocket Reference

   

   The Essential Oils Pocket Reference is spiral bound and is written by Gary Young and is the sixth edition. The user-friendly book has references at the front letting you know what specific oils to use for what condition. The history of Young Living^® essential oils is interesting to know. Publisher: Life Science Publishing; 6th edition (2014).

   There is no discussion for animals in this edition. The oils are listed in alphabetical order. There is an index in the back for quick looking up and finding what you need. You will learn how to apply oils safely with different techniques.

   This is a perfect guide for those starting out with essential oils. Women can slip the book into their purse.

   The book is available in a glossy hardback spiral format.

   The hardback is 486 pages, it is written in English, the dimensions are 4.8-inches wide x 7.3-inches tall x 1-inch thick, and it weighs about 8 ounces.

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The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy

Best Essential Oil Books for Intermediate Users

These books are great for the advanced beginner and the intermediately advanced lovers of essential oils.

When you think you have a good base understanding of essential oils and their uses, these books should be next on your list.

1. Essential Oils Natural Remedies: The Complete A-Z Reference of Essential Oils for Health and Healing

   

   The Essential Oils for Health and Healing is another great book from the creators of the New York Times bestseller Essential Oils for Beginners. Without using medications, you can use the healing components of nature’s plants in 100% pure essential oils. Publisher: Althea Press; 1st edition (January 21, 2015).

   Whether you are a beginner or an expert with essential oils, this book is a must read for all oil lovers.

   The alphabetical guide from A-Z provides you with solutions for a variety of concerns from migraines, headaches, acne, and more. You will learn how to diffuse oils, do massages, and make hands-on healing compresses—all with 100% pure essential oils.

   More than 170 disorders and conditions are explained, adding recipes with step-by-step instructions for blending essential oils, safety in using oils, how to use, and 75 essential oils are listed. The most common 10 oil brands are evaluated for you to understand similarities and differences.

   Take care of your health needs with 100% pure essential oils that are also wonderful for sprucing up your home and wonderful in the bath.

   The book is available in Kindle or paperback, new or used.

   The paperback is 456 pages, it is written in English, the dimensions are 8-inches wide x 8-inches tall x 1.2-inches thick, and it weighs about 10 ounces.

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2. The Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness

   

   The Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook is chock full of 109 essential oils written by Nerys Purchon and Lora Cantele. Nerys Purchon, one of Australia’s leading experts on herbs, aromatherapy and essential oils has sold more than 300,000 copies worldwide for her. Publisher: Robert Rose; 1st edition (September 11, 2014).

   The remedies are huge at 450. When you learn the basics and easy to understand concepts of 100% pure essential oils, you will be on your way to wellness, beautification, purification, and a wonderful fragrance in your home. Essential oil diffusers are great ways to disperse oils.

   Another great way to enjoy and benefit essential oils is in the bath and using massage, particularly with the aromatouch technique. Aromatherapy massage is a powerful form of hands-on healing. Commonly used oils in massages include lemon essential oil and lavender oil can help with common ailments such as muscle spasms and menstrual cycles when applied to reflex points. As any professional aromatherapist knows, essential oils, even therapeutic grade essential oils, should never be applied to open wounds.

   Therapeutic grade oils are proven to have merit for conditions from arthritis and allergies to high blood pressure. Essential oils relieve stress, improve mood, and have components to heal your body. They can even combat body odor and excess gas, particularly when peppermint oil and frankincense oil are used. While there are few double-blind placebo-controlled studies to refer to, initial studies of the impacts of therapeutic grade essential oils on the physical form and emotional well-being show promising results.

   The cost of the oils to make the blends and recipes is the costly part, but start off slowly finding what you like and go from the. The oils are all listed alphabetically with their botanical names, how the oil is extracted from the plant, and the steam distillation process. You will also see the therapeutic uses for the oils.

   The book is available in paperback, new or used.

   The paperback is 480 pages, it is written in English, the dimensions are 7-inches wide x 10-inches tall x 1-inch thick, and it weighs about 12 ounces.

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3. Surviving When Modern Medicine Fails: A Definitive Guide to Essential Oils that Could Save Your Life During a Crisis

   

   Surviving When Modern Medicine Fails, second edition by Dr. Scott A Johnson is now available in the third edition with even more information and procedures. It is available on Amazon.com^® here. Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 2nd edition (July 2, 2014).

   If today’s medicines were ever discontinued, could you survive with your health (and would you know what plants to eat)? If the Internet were to go down forever, you would have this paper book in your survival kit. Dr. Johnson addresses this with his information covered in his book. If you have 42 each 100% pure essential oils in your oil kit, you could easily manage 350 very common health issues. You will learn about safety, drug interactions, and side effects. Learn about carrier oils, dosages, basics of the chemistry for essential oils, allergies and liver toxicity when sensitive to essential oils.

   If you don’t have the first or second editions, at least get the third edition. It is laid out well, written concisely in common words, and easy to understand. You can heal yourself and others without pharmaceuticals gaining knowledge about essential oils.

   Dr. Johnson is a celebrated international speaker and has delivered significant presentations in North America, Europe, and Asia. He relays his experience and distinct education as he travels imparting the secrets of natural healing to those pursuing elevated wisdom and wellness.

   The book is available in Kindle or paperback, new or used.

   Gift-wrapping is available for a loved one or friend. The paperback is 176 pages, it is written in English, the dimensions are 6-inches wide x 9-inches tall x 3/4-inches thick, and it weighs about 8 ounces.

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Best Essential Oil Books for Advanced Users

These books are generally for the advanced aromatherapist and healthcare professionals, yet are still accessible to the advanced enthusiast.

1. Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals

   

   The Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals second edition book is written by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young. Publisher: Churchill Livingstone; 2nd edition (November 6, 2013).

   This book in its second edition is a new book, not a replica of the first one with 80 percent of it being new. It is a total indulgence into the safe use of 100% pure essential oils. It states the drug interactions of essential oils.

   You will see 400 complete profiles about essential oils with about 4,000 references. New chapters are included to cover the cardiovascular system, nervous disorders in the nervous system, urinary tract, and respiratory tract system. You will find 206 component summaries, risks and hazards classifications, concentrations, and suggested doses for oils.

   Bringing aromatherapy into popularity, Robert B. Tisserand is time and again called the father of this modern practice. He teaches, writes, and lectures globally doing so for over 20 years. He also wrote The Practice of Aromatherapy.

   The book has 305 new essential oils, including tea tree, cedarwood, lavender, rose, clary sage, and sandalwood. You will find 79 new component reports of great interest. Carcinogens are addressed and animal data is included with data concerning current regulations.

   The book is available in Kindle or hardcover, new or used.

   Gift-wrapping is available for a loved one or friend. The hardcover is 784 pages, it is written in English, the dimensions are 8.8-inches wide x 11-inches tall x 1.5-inches thick, and it weighs about 4.5 pounds.

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2. The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils: The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy

   

   The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils written by Kurt Schnaubelt, PhD, is about our understanding of essential oils from the perspective of science. This will investigate essential oils for improving the immune system and treating progressive and deteriorating disease. Publisher: Healing Arts Press; 1st edition (November 8, 2011).

   The book explains the healing components of plants vs. synthetic drugs. Improve the side effects of chemotherapy, melanoma, ultraviolet sun damage, osteoporosis, liver detox, and hepatitis using the information in this all-embracing book.

   Find step-by-step recipes for improving the immune system, colds, herpes, flu, candida, pain, headaches, migraines, and more.

   Dr. Schnaubelt investigates the knowledge of scientific disciplines for understanding nature’s plants and the health benefits of their oils, and how we biologically interact with nature and plants through eons of living with them. Additionally, the smart and intelligent genetic code of plants and the reasons pathogens do not have resistance to essential oils comparable to antibiotics that are chemically composed unnaturally is addressed. This is certainly a wiser approach to wellness in my book! This book is a must-have for beginners, intermediate, and advanced essential oil lovers.

   Kurt Schnaubelt has a PhD in chemistry. He is the founder and scientific director of the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy in San Francisco, California, USA. He wrote the Advanced Aromatherapy and Medical Aromatherapy and lives in San Rafael, California.

   The book is available in Kindle or paperback, new or used.

   Gift-wrapping is available for a loved one or friend. The paperback is 240 pages, it is written in English, the dimensions are 8-inches wide x 10-inches tall x 0.7-inches thick, and it weighs about 1 pound.

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3. Clinical Aromatherapy: Essential Oils in Practice

   

   The second edition of Clinical Aromatherapy: Essential Oils in Practice is written by Jane Buckle PhD RN. Publisher: Churchill Livingstone; 2nd edition (June 25, 2003).

   Having been written by a registered nurse, this stands apart from other aromatherapy books. The book describes how aromatherapy provides benefits of hands-on healing in the healthcare by professionals in hospitals, nursing homes, cancer patients in  hospices. The community benefits as well.

   A holistic method is used with patients and anyone wanting to understand the applications and practices of the ancient art of aromatherapy. The book inspires everyone with useful information. The section about chemistry is brilliant and the interactions and side effects with pharmaceutical drugs are excellent.

   This is not a book for the novice or casual user of essential oils. It covers essential oils used in a clinical setting and is a super indexed reference book. It does not have many recipes nor step-by-step instructions, and is more for those in the medical field who want a resource for essential oils usage.

   The book is available in paperback, new or used.

   Gift-wrapping is available for a loved one or friend. The paperback is 236 pages, it is written in English, the dimensions are 6.2-inches wide x 9.2-inches tall x 1-inch thick, and it weighs about 1 pound.

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4. Aromatherapy for Health Professionals

   

   The Aromatherapy for Health Professionals fourth edition by Shirley Price, Certified Editor FISPA MIFA FIAM and Len Price Certified Editor MIT (Trichology) FISPA FIAM is a prized book to have in your aromatherapy library. Publisher: Churchill Livingstone; 4th edition (November 25, 2011).

   The health professional’s book covers the all-inclusive array of theories and procedures about the science of 100% pure essential oils. Unlike many aromatherapy books, you will learn what particular therapy works for health conditions you are concerned with. This edition gives a concise and succinct preface for using aromatherapy in healthcare situations and provides you a comprehensive understanding to do this.

   The fourth edition offers 2 new chapters encompassing Wound Care and Bereavement. Grief and sorrow is an emotional feeling of sadness for a heartfelt loss of someone dear and loved. There are essential oils to help with this time of remembrance.

   Another chapter, Aromas, Mind and Body, has been greatly improved to enrich your experience with fragrance. Everyone has a favorite aroma that they enjoy having around them.

   Essential oil components and warnings have been included in this edition for a few more additional oils that you will have an interest in. New research and references have been included along with new case histories for treatments, theories, and procedures.

   Unlike with many aromatherapy books, you will receive a CD of additional tables that cover the general use of essential oils in healthcare communities for the beneficial uses and warnings. More definitions will enhance your knowledge in the health care profession.

   The book is available in paperback, new or used.

   Gift-wrapping is available for a loved one or friend. The paperback is 400 pages, it is written in English, the dimensions are 7.4-inches wide x 9.6-inches tall x 0.8-inches thick, and it weighs about 1 pound.

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Final Thoughts

Essential oils as a topic can run as deep as you are willing to learn. Newcomers to essential oils, and experienced aromatherapists will should be able to find in these book recommendations something new worth learning and diving into.

From first learning to use an essential oils diffuser, to learning about hydrosols and floral waters, these books should have you covered!

Please research on your own, read customer reviews, and be well with aromatherapy.