Salvatore Battaglia is an olfactory wizard. As owner of the International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy in Brisbane Australia he understands that essential oils are complex entities with unique properties and benefits. The most recent edition of his guide to aromatherapy reflects this knowledge.

As aromatherapy continues to move toward the forefront of alternative medicine, it is difficult to find the definitive resource on the subject. Some focus on one area of the healing practice — like enhancing sensuality [see LIME V-day post] — while others attempt to capture the entire history and current application of essential oils.

Battaglia’s The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy tackles all of that and then some as an aromatherapy handbook that covers individual oil profiles, quality control, chemistry, pharmacology, blending techniques and prescriptions for specific ailments. He also dives into the history of the practice and my favorite — the biology of olfaction.

The guide can be used as a textbook for the serious aromatherapy student, but it’s also an accessible read for the curious novice.