The most common way for individuals to begin expanding their aromatherapy knowledge is by self-study. Self study involves reading a variety of the many aromatherapy books and Web sites that are available, absorbing the information they contain, and by personally utilizing the information they have learned. Some individuals take self-study further by creating a serious personal lesson plan that includes memorizing, comparing and researching the information that is available to them. Self-study is a wonderful method to use to begin introducing aromatherapy into your lifestyle. Many aromatherapy books on the market are “recipe-style” books that contain recipes for aromatherapy blends that the reader simply prepares much like a food recipe. Some “recipe-style” books do contain solid safety information and other relevant information, but they only touch the surface. For the serious student of aromatherapy, however, it is important to learn detailed information about each oil (botanical name, safety data, contraindications, detailed aroma profile, etc.), anatomy information, the chemistry of essential oils, safety information, techniques for therapeutic and aromatic blending and the list does go on. There are rare exceptions, but self-study will not teach you everything that you must and should know to move forward in an aromatherapy career path.