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Aroma Alchemy: Essential Oils for Mind, Body and Home
The most comprehensive book for those exploring essential oils for the first time, packed with fragrant recipes and science-based advice from an aromatherapist with a following of over 1 million.
Discover the science behind scents, with more than 100 fragrant recipes for mind, body and home in this beautiful lifestyle book written by a certified aromatherapist.
Smell is the most powerful of our senses – we can recognize almost 1 trillion different smells. Certified aromatherapist, registered nurse and Instagram sensation Holly Brandenberger gives us the knowledge and tools to harness the power of scent, showing how every-day aromatherapy can be used for holistic health and wellbeing.
This book is packed full of Holly’s thorough research on how and why aromatherapy works, advice for inhalation and topical application, safety notes and 100+ recipes. Content
scents for sleep, stress, sadness, intimacy and focusproducts for the skin, hair and bodyremedies for headaches, colds, nausea, hormone support and first aidhome recipes such as pet deoderizer, laundry scent and bug spraydirectory of essential oils and their useswhat to grow in an aromatherapy gardenhow to create perfumecarrier oil guide and dilution adviceeffective substitutions.
Essential reading for anyone interested in a life enriched with wonderful scents.
Discover the science behind scents, with more than 100 fragrant recipes for mind, body and home in this beautiful lifestyle book written by a certified aromatherapist.
Smell is the most powerful of our senses – we can recognize almost 1 trillion different smells. Certified aromatherapist, registered nurse and Instagram sensation Holly Brandenberger gives us the knowledge and tools to harness the power of scent, showing how every-day aromatherapy can be used for holistic health and wellbeing.
This book is packed full of Holly’s thorough research on how and why aromatherapy works, advice for inhalation and topical application, safety notes and 100+ recipes. Content
scents for sleep, stress, sadness, intimacy and focusproducts for the skin, hair and bodyremedies for headaches, colds, nausea, hormone support and first aidhome recipes such as pet deoderizer, laundry scent and bug spraydirectory of essential oils and their useswhat to grow in an aromatherapy gardenhow to create perfumecarrier oil guide and dilution adviceeffective substitutions.
Essential reading for anyone interested in a life enriched with wonderful scents.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published October 14, 2025
13 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 5, 2025
Holly Brandenberger’s Aroma Alchemy is an exceptional and comprehensive guide for anyone curious about aromatherapy, whether you’re a complete beginner or have some experience. From the very first page, it’s clear that this book is meticulously researched and thoughtfully organized, offering science-based insights alongside practical, everyday applications.
With over 100 recipes covering everything from sleep and stress relief to home remedies and personal care, this book is an absolute treasure trove. Brandenberger’s expertise shines through in her clear explanations, safety tips, and guidance on essential oil selection and use. Even as someone with prior aromatherapy knowledge, I found myself learning about new scents and creative ways to incorporate them into daily life.
What sets this book apart is its breadth: it’s not just about inhalation or topical use, but also includes DIY home products, garden tips, perfume creation, and substitutions. The combination of science, practical advice, and creativity makes it both informative and inspiring.
If you want to explore aromatherapy with confidence and add fragrant, healthful practices to your life, this is the ultimate resource. I can wholeheartedly recommend it—and will be keeping many of the recipes in my regular repertoire.
With over 100 recipes covering everything from sleep and stress relief to home remedies and personal care, this book is an absolute treasure trove. Brandenberger’s expertise shines through in her clear explanations, safety tips, and guidance on essential oil selection and use. Even as someone with prior aromatherapy knowledge, I found myself learning about new scents and creative ways to incorporate them into daily life.
What sets this book apart is its breadth: it’s not just about inhalation or topical use, but also includes DIY home products, garden tips, perfume creation, and substitutions. The combination of science, practical advice, and creativity makes it both informative and inspiring.
If you want to explore aromatherapy with confidence and add fragrant, healthful practices to your life, this is the ultimate resource. I can wholeheartedly recommend it—and will be keeping many of the recipes in my regular repertoire.
October 14, 2025
I've been a subscriber to Holly Brandenberger's newsletter for a while. I was thrilled to learn she'd written a book and that Watkins Publishing and NetGalley offered me an ARC in return for an honest review.
As a registered nurse and certified aromatherapist, Brandenberger combines a background in modern medicine with a deep training in aromatherapy. Her desire to help people shines through in her writing. The book begins with a fascinating exploration and history of the neurological development of the olfactory system--our sense of smell, which explains why aromatherapy is so effective in providing emotional and physical comfort. The remaining chapters address the basics of aromatherapy. The initial explanation of therapeutic properties of twenty or so single essential oils are presented in a way that's easy to remember. The chapters that follow--divided by use: mind, body, home--reinforce those explanations with applicable descriptions of single and combined essential oils.
I particularly like the "recipes" and easy-to-follow instructions for various ways of using aromatherapy, including inhalers, rollers, balms, bath salts, cleaning supplies, and perfume. Brandenberger's writing is clear and actionable. Readers will likely feel empowered to create their own customized aromatherapy solutions. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for an in-depth yet accessible explanation of aromatherapy, essential oils, and how to use them in everyday situations.
As a registered nurse and certified aromatherapist, Brandenberger combines a background in modern medicine with a deep training in aromatherapy. Her desire to help people shines through in her writing. The book begins with a fascinating exploration and history of the neurological development of the olfactory system--our sense of smell, which explains why aromatherapy is so effective in providing emotional and physical comfort. The remaining chapters address the basics of aromatherapy. The initial explanation of therapeutic properties of twenty or so single essential oils are presented in a way that's easy to remember. The chapters that follow--divided by use: mind, body, home--reinforce those explanations with applicable descriptions of single and combined essential oils.
I particularly like the "recipes" and easy-to-follow instructions for various ways of using aromatherapy, including inhalers, rollers, balms, bath salts, cleaning supplies, and perfume. Brandenberger's writing is clear and actionable. Readers will likely feel empowered to create their own customized aromatherapy solutions. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for an in-depth yet accessible explanation of aromatherapy, essential oils, and how to use them in everyday situations.
August 30, 2025
Aroma Alchemy by Holly Brandenberger is, honestly, one of the best books I've come across on essential oils in a while. If you're interested in aromatherapy, whether you are just starting or have been blending oils for a while, you'll gain a great deal from this.
Holly is a certified aromatherapist and a nurse, and it's clear that she knows her stuff. She breaks everything down in a way that is so approachable. The book is full of helpful tips, practical advice, and over 100 easy-to-follow recipes for everything from stress and sleep support to natural cleaning sprays and homemade perfumes.
What I loved most was how beautifully it was put together. The photos are gorgeous, and the layout makes it super easy to find what you need. It's not just pretty, though; there's a wealth of solid information packed in here, including safety notes, guidance on using essential oils properly, and even information on how long things will last once you've made them.
It genuinely felt like Holly poured her heart into this book. It's way more thorough than I expected, and I'll be reaching for it again and again. Whether you want to try making your own blends or learn more about how scent can support your wellbeing, this is such a great resource.
Thank you, NetGalley and Watkins Publishing, for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Holly is a certified aromatherapist and a nurse, and it's clear that she knows her stuff. She breaks everything down in a way that is so approachable. The book is full of helpful tips, practical advice, and over 100 easy-to-follow recipes for everything from stress and sleep support to natural cleaning sprays and homemade perfumes.
What I loved most was how beautifully it was put together. The photos are gorgeous, and the layout makes it super easy to find what you need. It's not just pretty, though; there's a wealth of solid information packed in here, including safety notes, guidance on using essential oils properly, and even information on how long things will last once you've made them.
It genuinely felt like Holly poured her heart into this book. It's way more thorough than I expected, and I'll be reaching for it again and again. Whether you want to try making your own blends or learn more about how scent can support your wellbeing, this is such a great resource.
Thank you, NetGalley and Watkins Publishing, for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 14, 2025
Aroma Alchemy - Holly Bandenberger
Beautifully illustrated, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I’ve taken lots of notes and plan to cook up some aromatic scents.
This book contains some nice lavender recipes which I am sure will come in handy as I have lots of lavender left to use up.
A great book, I recommend it greatly to any budding alchemist with its useful information and some excellent advice on recipes, allergies and health benefits.
Beautifully illustrated, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I’ve taken lots of notes and plan to cook up some aromatic scents.
This book contains some nice lavender recipes which I am sure will come in handy as I have lots of lavender left to use up.
A great book, I recommend it greatly to any budding alchemist with its useful information and some excellent advice on recipes, allergies and health benefits.
September 4, 2025
This is a great primer on essential oils with lots of information for beginners, lots of recipes, and photos throughout. I try to limit my use of essential oils for sustainability reasons (each bottle requires vast amounts of the plant materials) but this is a fantastic resource on the topic.
Read via netgalley.
Read via netgalley.
December 28, 2025
I can’t seem to put this book down. Love all the recipes, for Christmas my daughter and I have made 3.
November 13, 2025
I love that it addresses that negative emotions impact scent effectiveness. So many people skip this information. It shows how oils are mad and how they are made. I also love that it doesn't say that all oils are safe. The section on cats was super interesting. Beautiful photos and all kinds of recipes that can be used.
5 stars
5 stars
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews