Essential Oils Desk Reference (2024)

This is amended version of a review I published on Amazon December 2015.

I am giving this 3 stars because it is a good resource, however the source of this information has been made available in another earlier format (see my comments further in) . I had heard personal recommendations and then read the reviews on Amazon. I am so glad I checked this out of the library instead of spending literally HUNDREDS of Dollars on the same information, I already have.

After I opened the book to study it, I noticed that it mentioned many of the Young Living Blends and likewise, furthermore it did not mention other company blends that are widely sold. I did some research to find out that D. Gary Young (do some research, he is quite an infamous character!!), owns this "Publisher". Thus, he has taken the Higley books (who years earlier were hired by him, to write their book featuring YL products, when Young Living company was new). This copy of "Essential Oils Desk Reference" covers Essential Oil uses in history, how and why it is popular in "treating" ailments, pictures of the plants, the botanical Family, Plant Origin -(where is grown but only the Young Living company's locations), Extraction Method (Young Living), Key Constituents (only YL growing areas), FYI, plants from different parts of the world have unique soil, moisture, sun exposure extra thus they will be different (in general this is not necessary good or bad, however some regions are in high demand and will be more expensive and considered more powerful), ORAC value, Historic Data, Medical Properties, Uses, Frangant Influence, Application, Found In (YL products listed only), Selected Research (sources). Other sections are just sales information on only Young Living Products.

Oh and forget trying to locate any sort of information on Young Living Website, because it has been removed. For example, you look up: White Angelica, the page might say "used for Meditation and Relaxation". I called about 10 days ago to place an order and the Young Living consultant didn't even know simple answers to questions. Such as if the oil was pure or an absolute or otto version!! I explained the differences, but she couldn't even find the information to give me an answer! Want a catalog, then you must place an order, I think it is $4.00 but it won't give you anything beyond the website. I guess given Gary Young's troubles with the law (most of it has mysteriously been removed from the internet!) like the murder lawsuit and attempted murder (2 separate incidences, different people, different states even), and these are only some of the things he has done, (he also falsified records claiming he was a medical doctor! ) and yet, there is more, so today, he is more cautious? Or maybe he wants to pay $300 for a book??

My suggestion, locate The Reference Guide for Essential Oils - Tenth Edition by Higley and Higley has so much more information, it lists recipes, Chemical Constituents, Properties, Historical Uses, Folklore, Other Possible Uses, Body Systems Affected, Suggests Carrier Oil, Where to Apply, Safety Data, Companion Oils, Frequency (it does not mention ORAC since they weren't a measure at the time of publication). It also has multiple graphs for use by condition or by oil. One list consists of every oil and body system it helps. Another list called "Single Oil Property Chart" which has the horizontal side with oil name and vertical portion itemizing what it helps and to what extent. This Vertical portion lists: Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Depressant, Anti Fungal, Anti-Parasitic, Analgesic, etc. 14 in all. It is the most comprehensive Oil book I have found. It also beats the other book, Essential Oils Integrative Medical Guide by Gary Young (now published as authored Essential Science Publishing).

I marked this book as "read", but I think I will always be reading this book! Wonderful reference book! It gives information on single oils, blends, healing, Vita Flex ponts, Raindrop technique, Chemistry, Massage oils, Emotional healing, physical healing...I could go on and on. I LOVE this book!

I liked a lot of things about this book. I liked that it had a ' GRAS' section. It also mentioned some of the negative effects of essential oils like allergies, phototoxicity, and cytotoxicity. Although, it only touched on these things briefly.

Even though it was not necessary I wish it had a mini- section on biology to help the reader understand the relationship between pytochemixals and the human body.

It had a lot of oils that are seldom heard of. I only wish it had more oils listed in it. The ones I missed in particular, I were: lilac, plumeria, violet, and freesia.

Though they have made updated volumes, which include the newest oils for sale by Young Living, I still like this one better. I'm no longer with this company, as I had a problem with their pyramid-scheme way of doing business with their reps, but I still appreciate this reference volume, and will always keep it on my bookshelf.