Essential Oils Resource Guides

By Lei Ann Nichols

Below, I have summarized and critiqued some of the leading essential oil reference guides books for 2017.  I found all but one to be adequate, but there were two that I found more helpful than the others.  In a perfect world, it would be great to access just one guide with all the necessary information without it being specific to one essential oil company.  However, that cannot happen due to all the varying blends offered.

Essential Oils Desk Reference 7th Edition by Life Science Publishing

by Life Science Publishing

There is a wealth of information contained in this book about the science and history of essential oils along with health, wellness, and longevity.  Many interesting studies are cited throughout.  It is Young Living specific for blends, products, and supplements. And Young Living’s founder, Gary Young is mentioned in the acknowledgments and several other sections.  There are beautiful large illustrations of plants for over 120 single oils covered.  Also, there are other great photos and illustrations featured throughout the book. It is very thorough and comprehensive and has different color tabs for ease of identifying each section in the book.  There are too many sections to mention here, but the two sections dedicated to animals (10 pages) and horses (9 pages) are extensive.

The essential oils are not individually notated for use.  Use is indicated in a paragraph below the list of essential oils, and in most instances, the reader is referred to Application Guidelines on another page.

Single oils, blends, supplements, children, animal care, personal care and other products are all contained in one section.  The personal usage guide (problems guide) is located in the next to last section of the book but is easily accessible by the specific color tab.

Modern Essentials: A Contemporary Guide to Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils Eighth Edition Distributed and Published by Aroma Tools

by Aroma Tools

The blends, supplements, and products are doTerra specific.  This book is a basic reference guide which includes science, usage and DIY personal care, household tips, nutrition and food recipes, first aid and exercise suggestions.  It has illustrations and photos throughout and covers 49 single oils.  Symbols are used by each oil for topical, aromatic, internal but also includes “cleaning/disinfecting”, “avoid sunlight for up to 12 hours after use”, and “avoid sunlight for up to 72 hours after use”; “body system(s) affected” and “see additional research”, along with other symbols which are used only in the Dilution Reference Chart.  Different color symbols for topical use represent:  dilute, neat, and dilute for children/sensitive skin.

In the “My Usage Guide”the alphabet is listed vertically on the right side under the “My Usage Guide” tab of most pages; the first letter of the problem is highlighted on the line in the color of the tab so that it is easily found.

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

by Althea Press

This book lists 75 single oils and no blends.  Many of the oils listed are not commonly used oils.  It only indicates topical and aromatic uses and lacks much information.  And although they give thorough advice on the importance of choosing a reputable essential oils company and the highest quality oils, they do not follow their own advice by some of the recommendations made in the back of the book.



The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood

by New World Library

This is more of a book than a reference guide.  Very little science or history is discussed as compared to other reference guide books.  And several of the 125 single essential oils listed are not widely used.  There is a quick reference guide in the back, but it doesn’t give the usage.  To find an issue, one must look in the section labeled “The Basic Care Kit”and if it’s not there then turn to the section “The A-Z Basic Travel Kit Emergency Reference Chart.”  There is also a woman’s section which covers many women’s issues, a chapter on emotions, men, seniors, babies, animals, exercise, personal care, beauty and more.

There are many formulas for issues listed, and there is also a lot of DIY personal care/home recipes offered in this book.



Comments Below

What guides do you prefer to use? Do you use any of the guides above?  What is your experience with them?