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

by Sonoma Press

Your personal guide to using essential oils and aromatherapy for your health, home, and beauty regimen. Lavender, peppermint, rosemary, and other healing plants are likely right at your fingertips, or just beyond at a nearby garden. Now unlocking their healing powers is, too. Essential Oils and An Introductory Guide offers all the techniques, tools, and tips you need to start creating natural, toxic-free medicine and everyday household products from the comfort of your home. Essential Oils and Aromatherapy Recipes in Essential Oils and Aromatherapy address common ailments such as acne, migraines, nausea, and stress, Toxin-Free Household Items such as lavender laundry detergent and all-purpose cleaner to air fresheners, Beauty Treatments such as face masks, body butter, and soothing bath salts, and much more!

Genres: Health, Reference, Nonfiction

350 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2014

Reviews

[Neida · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good reference. This book strongly advises you not to ingest essential oils eg place the oil in your mouth or under your tongue! Do your research and don’t succumb to whatever they tell you.
how scary it is that some of these sellers market their eo’s by advocating this apart from applying neat to skin without advising you to make a patch test on the skin! since EOs usage is not regulated, it is really up to the user to do some research into the Do’s and Dont’s of using essential oils.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

After buying some essential oils from a friend I decided I should learn how to use them. I’m pleased that I chose this book, it’s an easy-to-follow practical guide with safety advice and straight-forward recipes. Other books I’ve seen on the topic seem to assume that if you’re interested in essential oils, you must also be on board with homeopathy, reiki and the like, but this book avoids woo, thankfully. I was hoping for more information for the safe use of oils around pets, but the book doesn’t give much advice beyond keeping your oils out of reach. I recommend further reading on this, as, from what I’ve read elsewhere, you may want to avoid using particular oils around the home depending on what animals you have. But apart from this I recommend the book as a decent beginner’s guide.

[Gracee febus · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to essential oils and quite a few recipes. There is a lot of conflicting information that i disagree with but as far as the recipes and mini intros for each oil, it’s worth reading or flipping through.

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to digest, straightforward, will be a great reference

[Nel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative ... g00d place for beginners to start their journey into essential oils & their uses.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice jumping off point.

Really is good for the very beginner who knows nothing about oils and their properties. Has some good recipes as well.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great resource

Quick read that I will reference frequently as I begin to use essential oils. Well organized, clear and very complete

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read. Informative, confusing as to which essential oils to mix and how much of each. When and what type of oil to mix with the essential oils. I wouldn't buy it again.

[Bode Cauthon · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent resource.

[Katherine Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for a beginner.

[Cheryl Mahady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love having it for reference

[madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reference for using essential oils

[Tamara G]

Very informative book for new readers.

[Crystal Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential Oils have been used for almost a thousand years and since they have made a comeback I thought it would be interesting to read on. Although researchers are testing the effects of many of these oils, they are regulated and prescribed in some countries. Up until I read this book I thought aromatherapy was just smelling pretty things. I have tested quite a few face and hair oils but that was the extent of my experience. Essential Oils and Aromatherapy An Introductory Guide gives a multitude of information on these subjects to better understand and use their beneficial properties as well as warnings against certain uses and misinformation. The first section discusses what Essential Oils are and how they are made. I found the explanation of the three methods somewhat confusing but interesting. It also talks about the history and the definition of aromatherapy. The second section provides the tools and equipment used in these processes as well as the concept of Carrier Oils which I was not familiar with. In this section it also gives an overview of each oil as well as a list of dangerous oils to avoid. One of my favorite parts is Aromatic Methods which includes how to make warm and cold packs and compresses. Another of my favorite sections is Wellness and Beauty Boosts which give instruction on making your own shampoo and deodorants as well as Your Natural Home that provides do it yourself fabric softener and air freshener. I was quite amazed at how many uses these oils provide and the details in deciding where to buy from and brands to use. Overall it is a very educational book and I look forward to trying the homemade candles with my girls.
*I received this in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Rachael MacLean]

Once again, I'm immediately concerned by these kinds of books but I think this one is okay. I never appreciate claims essential oils can treat anxiety and depression because at best they're only good for subclinical uses, but this book spends a lot of time dissing mlms and encouraging proper medical treatment and responsible use of very concentrated oils. Lots of great recipes for good smells and good scrubs and baths and compresses and stuff. Its claims really were not too overbroad. The only thing that is for sure true is that this is designed to sell you essential oils. So if you're in it for the smells and know you're being marketed to you're in great shape. Just don't trick yourself into believing this is anything else.

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting Book, but There Seems to Be Some Conflicting Information

I love essential oils. I love aromatherapy. I have read many different books on the subject. This book does have a lot of information about specific oils that can used for multiple health issues, moods, cleaning purposes, and then some. It also explains which to avoid during pregnancy, for certain health issues, around pets, around babies or children.
I became a bit confused however because although it talked about avoiding certain oils for infants and children in the beginning, later in the book I read recipes using the same prohibited oils for children with particular ailments. Not only that, some of the oils that shouldn't be used during pregnancy are some of the oils that the group of Douglas from my birthing classes (I'm pregnant right now), have been using for years without any ill effects. Now, I'm not saying that they are right and the book is wrong or vice versa, just saying that this makes things a lot more confusing for me.
Although I will just be avoiding practically all essential oils in topical form during my pregnancy, after pregnancy I plan on trying a few out to see how they work, and format own opinions. I also wouldn't mind trying out the natural cleaning concoctions since I hate using harsh chemicals in my house.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are solely based off of my own experience with book and in no way influenced.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of great information and detailed descriptions of uses, recipes, etc. Loved this book!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource with lots of recipes for diffuser, topical and bath applications along with several diy recipes for everything from cleaning products to beauty treatments.

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an all-over good primer for beginners and those who have been using EOs for a while. I love how it includes in depth warnings and disclaimers. A very unbiased source imo.