The Aromatherapy Companion: A Portable Guide to Blending Essential Oils and Crafting Remedies for Body, Mind, and Spirit

by Jade Shutes, Amy Galper

From one of the leading voices in aromatherapy Jade Shutes, and her graduate, Amy Galper,  The Aromatherapy Companion is a concise and essential version of their popular Ultimate Guide to Aromatherapy .

Essentials oils have been used across all world cultures for thousands of years. While the popularity of aromatherapy has endured, the methods and applications of the craft have evolved. The Aromatherapy Companion is the modern practitioner's guide to working with the most essential aromatherapy and essential oils for healing and wellness.

Using techniques developed over decades of teaching, you will learn the science of aromatherapy and how essentials oils interact with our sense of smell, brain pathways, and skin. The guide also includes over 35 plant profiles , plus recipes and blends for health and beauty . Included are remedies for digestive health, immunity, women's health concerns, and more, such as Hand & Body Wash for Flu Recovery, Self-Love Botanical Perfume, and Tummy Massage Oil for Indigestion.

Drawing on the authors' unique methodology and expertise as aromatherapists, herbalists, and healers, you will learn the art of blending formulations with great skill and discernment.

Genres: Health

160 pages, Hardcover

Published September 20, 2022

Reviews

[Flora · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I know for sure about essential oils is that lavender is very effective in soothing and healing insect bites, having used it many times for sand fly bites that usually takes weeks or even months to heal if left untreated. With a couple of dabs of the magical liquid, the site no longer itches.

I was therefore quite excited to get a copy of this title for review. It’s reassuring to know that it was written by authors who are considered experts in the field of aromatherapy. It’s hard to believe that the oils can do all those things, to be honest. But it’s definitely worth a try.

I like that this book is practical and easy to refer to, giving you all the basic essential information on how to use the oils, when it is safe to do so as well as details about thirty-five essential oils.

It doesn’t hurt that the book has beautiful illustrations throughout.

4 and a half stars for me.

[Melanie Caldicott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pleasantly illustrated and is an excellent compilation of essential oil profiles. I liked the emphasis towards information provided about synergy and blending. I would have liked a bit more after the profiles including some blends that work well for certain things. But I love Shute and her information is always reliable and trustworthy.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

[Shirley Andrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Essential Oils Companion

The authors provide background information on Aromatherapy, and define it as being the study and application of essential oils. They also state that it can be referred to as Essential Oil Therapy, and that it encompass
the holistic application and use of essential oils to support the health and well-being of the individual.

They discuss the shelf life of essential oils, and some storage and safety tips. The authors have categorized essential oils into the four groups listed below:

1. Category 1 - Mild Essential Oils: This category includes most essential oils commonly used at home and in practice. The essential oils in this category are considered to be generally safe and without risk of toxicity or accumulation, even when used over an extended period of time. Most essential oils, including cape chamomile, cedarwood, Roman chamomile, German chamomile, citrus oils, cilantro, clary sage, cypress, fir, frankincense, ginger, lavender, lavandin, melissa, pine, rose, saro, tea tree, etc.
2. Category 2: Strong Essential Oils: This group of essential oils presents some potential or risk of toxic accumulation of certain components, regardless of method of application. The essential oils below should be used with caution. The main concern is for neurotoxicity (negative impact on the nervous system). Some strong essential oils are sage, rosemary, and hyssop.
3. Category 3: Powerful Essential Oils: Essential oils in this group can cause acute poisoning regardless of route of administration. The oral use of these essential oils should be avoided due to potential for liver and nervous system toxicity. These oils are best avoided unless you have received proper education and training on their use and application. Powerful essential oils with potential for acute toxicity are mugwort, sage, hyssopus, wormwood, and cedar leaf.

The authors discuss the above oils and many others in each category in more detail in respect to other safety issues and their properties and therapeutics applications.

They discuss various carrier oils and their properties and body care application of essential oils, aromatic gels, lotions, creams, and other body care products derived from essential oils.

This is a very good book providing a lot of valuable information on essential oils. Highly recommend.

[Books Tea Magic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fab intro provides a well written, concise and easy to understand explanation of essential oils noting how “The chemistry is the backbone of a wide range of therapeutic activity essential oils have to offer.“

It includes a well organized description of 36 essential oils, {happy to see many of my favs that go beyond the basic ones ✨🌱} “meant as a starting point to get to know the heart of each essential oil.” This reminds me of my crystal healing education and how my teacher / mentor instructed us to meditate with the crystals to receive their message — it feels like getting to the heart of the crystal and I have journeyed with many crystals and oils alike to learn their deep messages and healing properties.

I also LOVE how the author recommends getting the oil out and inhaling the scent while reading about them. This is how I teach, always passing the oil around the circle so participants can smell and experience the aroma, making a scent memory and connection to the oil while learning it’s healing properties.

The oil descriptions are brief yet still provide a good base of information including potential substitutions and suggested applications — always helpful!

Next the book includes a thorough section on carrier oils and various applications and I love how they include instructions for batching rollers, one of my favorite application methods. ❤️ The chapter on synergistic blends is a great starting point, including instructions on how to blend beyond recipes and the oil palettes + suggested strategy will help guide any budding aromatic alchemist. Very well done portable guide.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s so refreshing to find an essential oil book that’s not trying to promote MLM companies and that’s written by actual experts with professional training and decades of experience. This is a very thorough book that gives great information on types of essential oils, properties of each, what they’re good for, what they blend well with and much more. Recipes are included to make your own products. Beautiful illustrations add to the charm. Recommended.

I read a temporary digital arc of this book for review.

[Francine Apollo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet little book with illustrations that remind me of very old books on this topic. Each entry is a page of two long, with good information for a beginner or someone looking to a refresher.
I make our own bar and shower soap as well as air freshener and liquid hand soap. The recipes at the end of the book for body cream and spritzers were of interest to me but there is so much more to explore.
If you want to learn more about Essential Oils or are a hobbyist, there is much in this book to explore and enjot.

[Nikki King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was an excellent beginners guide to all things aromatherapy and essential oils. I found the text easy to read and the pictures beautiful, The charts were easy to follow and understand; even as a “newby” to this subject. I thought the index at the end was extremely helpful to quickly find an ingredient or treatment modality. I feel much more informed upon reading this text. I am
exceedingly grateful to the publishers for allowing me an advanced reader copy.

[Dione Hanke]

This is an excellent guide to all things aromatherapy and essential oils. The text is easy to read and the pictures are beautiful, The charts were easy to follow and understand. I thought the index at the end was extremely helpful to quickly find information.
The information on each oil was helpful. Suggesting you smell the oil as you read about it was a great idea. I also like the recipes for blending the oils.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an really well written guide to all things aromatherapy and essential oils. It is easy to read and the pictures are beautiful - although on my kindle they are not perfect! Everything is really easy to follow and understand an the index was really helpful to find information. Suggesting you smell the oil as you read about it is a great idea. I also really appreciated the recipes for blending oil.
I really need to buy this as a book.

[Krystina · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off I absolutely love the illustrations throughout the book! They are very reminiscent of older apothecary books and I loved that. The book itself is fantastic, it gives you all the knowledge you need to start making use of essential oils in some simple beauty products or just as a way of keeping illness at bay. Definitely one to have on the shelf of anyone interested in the uses of herbs.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very very detail. I actually love it. Wish I had a physical copy of this book. I love the fact it was filled of information. Happy I was approved to read this book because it was one I was looking at it for my writing. And this will also feed my essential oil needs to. I highly recommend this book to you. 5 star book. Already know a few people who would actually love this book.

[Bookish_Pixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully detailed and descriptive information provided. Excellent information for beginners to have. I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All of these opinions are my own.

[Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting to learn more about Essential Oils and how to use them, this book was perfect. I it was easy to use and understand. I haven't used anything from this book but I will very soon.

Thank you Netgalley

[Joni Owens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never thought about blending the essential oils. Or using them in the way this book talks about. Really interesting.

[Nicola Whelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting and informative read. A book of reference for budding Aromatherapists. It is very useful especially factually. This will feature in my library of books in my “She-cave”.

[Tabitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would be great for a start up essential oil user! I loved that it went through all the details for 50 essential oils, importance of safe usage, ideas for blends, dilution ratios, and it has beautiful photos. My favorite part was the dilution ratios and recipe ideas. The fact they used the Latin names also shows how much effort and detail they put into this book!
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I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.