book, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils. Whereas my earlier book focused on the essential oils themselves, including their extraction, chemistry, botanical features, and history, this book concerns itself solely with their therapeutic and cosmetic applications and concentrates on the diversity within the aromatherapy tradition as it is practiced today. It is above all a practical handbook, both for the practicing therapist and for more general use. Special emphasis is placed in the book on what I call “simple” aromatherapy—a basic, practical approach to self-treatment. It has always struck me as being a great pity that the whole realm of self-help using folk-medicine, which was once a natural part of family life, has been largely lost in Western culture. It is in this middle ground that aromatic remedies have such a lot to offer—playing their part in the home treatment of common everyday conditions such as period pains, headaches, eczema, and other skin complaints. Accepting responsibility for one’s own health and condition is also an affirmative statement. It encourages individual responsibility and opens a door to self-knowledge as well as a window into the natural world, for all essential oils are derived directly from plants. In fact the whole field of fragrant plants and natural medicine is a vast area. I have also found that, like gardening, aromatherapy has an addictive quality—once hooked you will find it is hard to let go, for there is always more to learn and discover.
CHAMOMILE
I am delighted to introduce this new and beautifully designed edition of the Complete Essential Oils Sourcebook. It is now almost twenty years ago since I started to research and write the material for the first edition of this book, and since that time the popularity of aromatherapy has blossomed on an international basis! Pure essential oils can now be purchased on every high street and downtown center, and the use of natural aromatics in commercial cosmetics and toiletries has both expanded and diversified. This is because the remarkable therapeutic potency of these botanical oils has been increasingly validated by scientific research and by clinical tests, verifying their healing potential. This is especially true in the field of skin care, particularly in helping to combat ageing skin, as well as in the treatment of common infections and viruses.
The reality of climate change, as well as the impact of environmental and ecological issues, has also taken on a greater sense of urgency over these past two decades, largely as a direct result of our consumer culture. The need to pay attention to the type of products we choose to buy, their method of production, and their overall impact on the world in which we live now needs to be of paramount concern to anyone who cares about future generations.
Since essential oils are 100% naturally derived agents, functioning in a positive, holistic manner both within our own bodies and within our larger environment, their utilization represents an authentic route toward demonstrating a greater caring for our planet. However, it is important to source essential oils from companies that uphold responsible environmental policies, such as supporting re-forestation, avoiding the exploitation of endangered botanical species (such as Amazonian rosewood), and by employing ecological packaging materials. This philosophy goes hand in hand with adopting a lifestyle that respects and works together with nature, and in doing so, helps to preserve the beautiful globe on which we live.
THIS BOOK IS FOR EVERYONE interested in the art and science of aromatherapy, from the professional practitioner to any newcomers to the subject. The book is divided into four main parts, covering every aspect of aromatherapy as practiced today.
The first part of the book introduces aromatherapy to the reader. It outlines the various aspects of aromatherapy, and focuses in detail on simple household uses of essential oils, skin and body treatments, and perfumery. Containing simple recipes and step-by-step instructions, Part 1 is designed to help the reader practice aromatherapy at home.
The second part of the book describes the approaches to, and techniques of, aromatherapy massage, and gives detailed, step-by-step descriptions with clear illustrations on how to give a full-body massage, therapeutic massage for local areas, and massage for special circumstances, such as sports massage.
Aspects of Aromatherapy provides a thorough introduction to the many uses of essential oils and describes simple home aromatherapy and perfumery. Aromatherapy Massage explains the massage techniques, while Medical Aromatherapy focuses on the medical uses of essential oils. The Index of Essential Oils is a comprehensive guide to all the aromatherapy oils referred to in the book, with clear, at-a-glance information about the uses and qualities of each oil.
In the appendix, notes on safety data show how to use the oils safely, and the chemical analysis is given for each oil. A nutrition sheet provides a quick source of dietary advice, a glossary explains all the medical and scientific terms used in the book, and there is a list of useful addresses telling the reader where to find the oils and further information about aromatherapy. Finally, there is an extensive list of books for further reference.
The third part of the book describes the ways in which aromatherapy is used in the field of medicine. The science of essential oils and the ways in which the oils are tested in the laboratory are explained, and the links between the chemical constituents of the various oils and their effects on the body are shown. It also shows how essential oils can be used safely and efficiently for medical treatment in the home. Remedies are divided into the different body systems, with clear instructions on the use of oils in treatment.
The fourth part of the book is an index of essential oils, listed in botanical name order. Each oil is described in detail, including its characteristics, actions, method of extraction, use in aromatherapy, scent qualities, and physiological, and psychological effects.
Interest in aromatherapy is growing year by year. As more and more brands of essential oils and aromatherapy products are to be found in the shops there is a steady increase in the home use of aromatic essential oils. Professional aromatherapy treatment is now available in beauty salons, fitness clubs, and hairdressers, while essential oils are used therapeutically in modern hospitals as well as complementary health centers.
Aromatherapy involves using pure essential oils, derived from plants, in a huge range of health and beauty treatments, as well as for pleasure. In offering us a “natural” way of caring for our health, it is just one aspect of the growth of interest in all forms of alternative or complementary medicine and traditional home remedies. Modern (or allopathic) medicine is spectacularly successful in many ways, but increasing numbers of people feel
