The Art of Aromatherapy by Pamela Allardice

If you're looking for a great fun primer in some of the top essential oils you can use in soap and candle making, this is a wonderful introductory book.

I was browsing through some books on aromatherapy recently at my local library and came across this little gem of a book. So many books on aromatherapy focus on dozens and dozens of oils...or really exotic, obscure and/or rare oils, that it's hard for a candle or soap maker to really discern what essential oils could/would be practical for candle and soap making.

Pamela Allardice's book spends a few pages on the art of aromatherapy - in massages, baths and as inhalants...but spends most of the book profiling 30 of the most popular essential oils...most of which are affordable and readily available to use in soap and candles.

That's what's so refreshing and fun about this book is that it's so practical! Other than perhaps rose, jasmine and frankincense, most of the other essential oils are usable in soap and candle blends.

Each of the essential oils profiled has a lovely illustration and a full page of description, history and medicinal uses. Plus basic properties and cautions for that essential oil.

Additionally, there are old, historic quotes, a few recipes, and bits of trivia about the names, myths and history that surround the essential oils.

This book is definitely worth looking at - not the be all and end all of making soap and candles with essential oils, but, like I said, a fun, short reference/introductory book.