What Is the Best Book on Essential Oils? My Top 5 Picks

What’s the best aromatherapy book? That depends a little on what you’re looking for. But if you’ve ever found yourself Googling that question (or just wishing you had a little more guidance when blending oils), you’re not alone.

Over the years, I’ve built up quite the aromatherapy bookshelf, from reference guides to blend suggestions and even deep dives into the chemistry of essential oils. Some I’ve barely touched, and others? They’ve got the oil stains and dog ears that prove just how loved they are.

So I thought I’d share five of the best aromatherapy books I’ve personally used and loved, plus a bonus title I couldn’t leave out. Whether you’re a total beginner or looking for something a little more advanced, there’s something here for every stage of the journey.

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🌿 The Fragrant Pharmacy by Valerie Ann Worwood

This book is absolutely overflowing with suggested blends for pretty much anything you can think of. From skincare to sleep to emotional support and even home cleaning. This book has you covered.

Instead of focusing on oil-by-oil profiles, it walks you through how to actually use essential oils in your everyday life. That’s why I think it’s one of the best aromatherapy books for beginners. You don’t need to search through oil properties or play a game of trial and error, just follow the recipes and learn as you go.

And at the back of the book is a handy table of essential oils and their home uses, which is perfect for when you feel ready to start creating your own blends.

Valerie Ann Worwood has written a few aromatherapy books, but The Fragrant Pharmacy is hands-down my favourite.

👉 Buy The Fragrant Pharmacy on Amazon*

📘 The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless

If you’re wondering what the best book on essential oils might be, this is one of my top contenders. It’s a fantastic all-rounder.

The oil profiles are detailed but totally beginner-friendly, and there’s a brilliant reference section at the back where you can look up a specific issue, like headaches, stress, or insomnia, and see which oils are recommended.

I love how easy it is to navigate, whether you’re just starting out or already confident blending your own oils. It’s a classic for a reason.

👉 Buy The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils on Amazon*

🔗Look for a guide on blending? Try How to Create Your Own Aromatherapy Blends

📗 Aromatherapy and the Mind by Julia Lawless

This one’s a beautiful, more introspective take on aromatherapy. It explores how essential oils affect us psychologically and emotionally, with some fascinating historical context woven in.

I especially love the section on emotional well-being and how certain oils can support us during grief, anxiety, or personal growth. The oil profiles in this book also include suggested combinations and real-life usage ideas, which makes it incredibly practical.

If you’re drawn to the inner world of healing, this is one of the best aromatherapy books for emotional and energetic work.

👉 Buy Aromatherapy and the Mind on Amazon*

📙 Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit by Gabriel Mojay

If you’re interested in the energetic or spiritual side of essential oils, this book is a treasure. It blends holistic aromatherapy with insights from historical uses, as well as an oil’s spiritual, energetic, and elemental qualities.

This book isn’t ideal as a quick reference, as each oil within it has a 2 page article style spread, instead of the traditional profile that’s broken down into sections with headings. This isn’t a bad thing, it’s just something to consider as this book is better suited to when you have more time to explore the essential oils you’re considering.

This book is the one I turn to when I want to create blends that are aligned with a deeper purpose.

👉 Buy Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit on Amazon*

🌈 Essential Oils and Therapeutic Blends in Colour by Rosemary Caddy

This one leans slightly more into the science side of things, making it ideal if you want to understand why that essential oil or blend has those benefits.

It breaks down oils by their chemical families and shows you what kinds of effects each of the 3 main groups tend to have. Don’t worry, it’s colour-coded with reds through to yellows for stimulating, greens for balancing, and blues and purples for relaxing, so it’s actually quite intuitive once you get used to it.

When I was working as a professional aromatherapist, this was one of my most-used references. If you’re ready to dive a bit deeper into the science of aromatherapy, this book is a must-have.

👉 Buy Essential Oils in Colour on Amazon*

📕 Bonus: The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy by Salvatore Battaglia

This one isn’t for everyone! But if you’re serious about essential oils, it’s the holy grail. It’s science-based and packed full of research, safety info, and in-depth profiles. It even includes insights from Chinese medicine and energy work.

Honestly, it’s not what I’d recommend to someone with a casual interest in oils, but if you’re looking for a book that will answer any question you’ve ever had about an oil, this is the one.

When I worked in clinical and medical settings, this was my go-to resource. I used it alongside Essential Oils in Colour to get a full picture of the oils I was using. Even now, it’s the book I turn to for serious research or clarifications.

👉 Buy The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy on Amazon*

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💕 My Final Thoughts

If you only choose one or two books, trust your instincts and go with what calls to you. Blending essential oils is as much about intuition and connection as it is about information.

Start with a book that matches your current energy, whether that’s practical, emotional, spiritual, or scientific, and let the rest follow naturally.

*Any link within this blog post marked with a * is an affiliate link. This means if you click one of these links and go on to buy the product I recommend, I will get a small commission, but you will not be charged any extra. Thank you in advance!