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THE ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ESSENTIAL OILS by Julia Lawless When is an oil not an oil? When it is an essential oil. Really the term essence seems more appropriate. Those tiny little vials termed essential oils are really the pure plant parts with nothing added, usually obtained by some kind of distillation process like steam. It takes a lot of plant to make a little bit of essence. Be careful not to leave the lid off because they evaporate (ever see an oil evaporate?) A plant's essence can help to heal us, calm us, or make us happy. Different plants contain different oils that do different things. These oils used separately or blended together have powerful physiological and psychological actions. Julia Lawless brings over 150 essential oils and the plants they come from to life as she explains each plant's chemical components and what they are used for. The individual plant pages contain not only full color photos of the plants and its parts, but also the vials of essential oils, important to those of us seeking quality oils. The therapeutic index helpful in providing a list of preferred oils for specific ailments as well as alternates if that is what you happen to have. I particularly enjoyed reading about the many uses of basil oil. I seem to have at least one need from each of her use categories (Skin care, Circulation, Muscles and Joints, Respiratory System, Digestive System, Genito Urinary System, Immune System and Nervous System). As a nerve tonic she rates it A1. I guess my body must know what it needs; I never seem to get enough pesto.

There are plenty of good books on herbs, and some of them devote a chapter to essential oils, but there's nothing comparable to Worwood's work. Her premise is different from other herbalists--she believes that the most effective way to use herbs medicinally is by external application or inhalation. Both methods allow the essential oil to enter the bloodstream without passing through the digestive tract. Her grasp of basic physiology is somewhat confused, but there's nothing dangerous in her suggestions. (Worwood runs an aromatherapy clinic in England and conducts research on aromatherapy.) Her book prescribes oils for everything from basic first aid and treating common ailments to natural cosmetics and body care, fragrance for the home and office, and cooking with essential oils. A good addition to alternative medicine collections.

Whether it’s the tang of ozone in the air just before a rainstorm, the homey smell of freshly baked bread, or the inspiring scent of roses, natural aromas are everywhere with us, influencing our moods, and informing our perceptions. But natural aromas are capable of much more. Science is just beginning to reveal how aromas affect our bodies as well as our spirits, and what once seemed far-fetched–that you can treat many common ailments with nothing more than a pleasing smell–is now being taken seriously by many in the medical community. Yes, you can smell your way to good health, and now Aromatherapy For Dummies shows you how.
This down-to-earth guide takes the mystery out of essential oils and other aromatherapy tools, and shows you how pleasing scents can cure what ails you and enhance your life at home and at work. Among other things, you’ll discover how to:

Safely and easily treat hundreds of common ailments
Increase f ocus and concentration
Relieve tension and relax
Improve athletic performance
Enhance romance
Sniff out the right essential oils
Create fragrant essences in your kitchen
Under the expert guidance of one of America’s leading botanical experts, you’ll bring the wonders of aromatherapy into your own life. Kathy Keville provides clear, concise, scientifically informed explanations of how plant essences can support body, mind, and spirit. She offers common sense advice on everything from therapeutics and cosmetics to the recreational uses of essential oils. And she supplies:

Easy-to-follow instructions on how to select genuine aromatherapy products
Symptom Guide–simple and easy remedies for 60 common conditions, listed alphabetically by symptom
Aroma Guide–an A-to-Z guide of fragrant plants used in aromatherapy
More than a hundred recipes for everything from oily skin to indigestion that you can whip up at home in five minutes
The world is full of natural fragrances that can help you feel better, work smarter, play harder, and relax. It’s time to get well with the healing power of smell, and now Aromatherapy For Dummies shows you how.

From the Back Cover
"If you're wondering which of the dozens of aromatherapy books to buy … this is the one!" David Edelberg, M.D., Northwestern University "Always clever and charming, Kathi so clearly presents the safe and effective use of essential oils for true aromatherapy" Cheryl Hoard, President of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy and Owner of Cheryl's Herbs

Features Quick Aromatherapy Recipes You Can Make at Home!

The world is filled with natural fragrances that can help you feel better, work smarter, and relax. This down-to-earth guide takes the mystery out of essential oils and other aromatherapy tools — and shows you step-by-step how pleasing scents can enhance your life at home and at work.

Discover how to: Get well with the healing power of smell Sniff out the right essential oils Create fragrant essences in your kitchen Relax with candles, incense, and sachets Use scents to enhance romance

The Dummies Way™ Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun

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