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| Book Reviews
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The Fragrant Pharmacy by
Valerie Ann Worwood
An introductory guide to Aromatherapy by Louise Tucker
Advanced Aromatherapy: the science of essential oil therapy
Kurt Schnaubelt 1995
Carrier Oils For Aromatherapy and Massage by
Len Price with Ian Smith and Shirley Price
1996
The Bloomsbury Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy by
Chrissie Wildwood 2000
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| The
Fragrant Pharmacy by Valerie Ann Worwood |
Reviewer: Tracey Goulding
BSc(Hons), BA(Hons), ITEC diplomas aromatherapy and massage
January 2004 |
 This is a comprehensive book covering most aspects of aromatherapy. It even has chapters on aromatherapy for your garden and pets! It's a lively and engaging book; I read its 500+ pages in a matter of days.
The dosages of essential oils recommended are higher than ITEC students
would use. The blends look very good. They cover a wide range
of uses from major ailments (stress, back problems, muscle and sport injuries)
to care for the hair, and body (the beauty potions).
My only gripes with this book are from a professional point of view only. It
lacks any in-depth information for the practitioner on safety, chemical
composition and discussions of synergistic blending. Also I wasn't
sure about encouraging the internal consumption of essential oils through
cooking without any cautionary note sounded. But overall this book still
presents a fascinating exploration of the wide range of uses oils can
be put to around the home and for our health and well being.
It's not a visual stunner, but would make a lovely present for the aromatherapy
enthusiast.
Contents
- Medicines of the Earth
- Your basic Care Kit
- Your basic Travel Kit
- Occupational oils for the working Man and Woman
- Assertive Oils for Sports, Dance and Work-Outs
- The Fragrant Way to Beauty
- The Body Beautiful
- Essentail Care for your Hair
- The Gentle Touch for Babies and Children
- A Woman's Natural Choice
- The Natural Choice for Men
- Essential Help in the Maturing Years
- Fragrant Care for Your Home
- The Still Room
- Sweet-Scented Celebrations
- Cooking with Essentail Oils
- Natural Health for Domestic Pets
- Gardens for the future
- Appendix 1: The Essentail Oil Charts
- Appendix 2: Aromassage
- Appendix 3: Addresses and Bibliography
Buy from Amazon: online bookshop
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| An introductory guide to Aromatherapy by Louise Tucker |
Reviewer: Tracey Goulding
BSc(Hons), BA(Hons), ITEC diplomas aromatherapy and massage
January 2004 |
Now fast becoming the alternative standard ITEC course book to Julia
Lawless' mighty tome. It's short, nicely presented, and tells you
most of what you need about essential oils and their uses and effects. It
unhelpfully though doesn't list essential oils that blend well together. But
on the plus side, it does have a nifty summary table of oils (part of
plant, country of origin, main constituents, extraction method, safety
factors and therapeutic uses), which is handy for revision. Also
a few case studies are provided which are pretty much ITEC standard.
Contents
- The history and origins of aromatherapy
- Essential oils and where they come from
- How aromatherapy works
- Application: buying and using oils
- A-Z of essential oils
- How to use essential oils at home
- Aromatherapy massage
- The holistic approach
- Other complementary therapies
- Case studies
Buy
from Amazon: online bookshop
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| Advanced Aromatherapy: the science of essential oil therapy
Kurt Schnaubelt 1995 |
Reviewer: Tracey Goulding
BSc(Hons), BA(Hons), ITEC diplomas aromatherapy and massage
August 2006 |
Advanced Aromatherapy offers a clinical approach to aromatherapy based on analysis of the chemical composition of essential oils and their pharmacological effects. The author notes that the predominant chemical compound of an essential oil does not necessarily equate with its actions. Consequently a strong effect of an oil can come from the synergistic mix of trace elements or a particularly potent component although this may be in a low concentration. Lavender oil's ability to treat burns, for instance, can not be linked to the effectiveness of one or two 'active' ingredients. From a reductionist scientific point of view, this makes essential oils both difficult and unappealing to research.
However, the effects of the main compounds found in oils have been researched and Advanced Aromatherapy shows that these components of oils will exhibit similar effects (for example significant sedative effects have been attributed to linalol, citral and other compounds). Some compounds can be health risks, and the author offers guidance on evaluating the risks of oils against their therapeutic value and method of administration: oral, rectal, vaginal percutaneus, or inhalation.
The author proposes a theoretical framework to aid choosing of essential oils based on grouping their key chemical components into a system based on their chemical reactivity (tendency to take-up or lose electrons, and attraction to lipids or water). This system is then applied to a range of oils and followed by prescriptions to treat a variety of medical conditions. Internal use of oils is often prescribed (suppositories, drinking), but unfortunately in the UK this use of aromatherapy is rarely taught, and so many therapists would not be qualified to follow these treatments. Advanced Aromatherapy does demonstrate the full potential of oils to effectively treat a range of illnesses and skin conditions, and consequently perhaps the limited use made of them in the UK.
Contents (edited)
- Aromatherapy: as challenge to conventional medicine
- Essential oils - definition and distillation
- The effects of essential oils
- OSelf-treatment with essential oils
- Choosing essential oils
- Application of essential oils
- Aromatherapy: mediating between the immune system, emotions and the body
- Afterword
- Endnotes
- Resources
- Index
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| Carrier Oils For Aromatherapy and Massage
Len Price with Ian Smith and Shirley Price 1996
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Reviewer: Tracey Goulding
BSc(Hons), BA(Hons), ITEC diplomas aromatherapy and massage
August 2006 |
The main value of Carrier Oils is that it brings together a wide selection of oils into one place and offers more detailed information on each than is generally found in most other aromatherapy or massage books. Profiles of 42 carrier or fixed oils are presented and include the following details: Latin name; etymology; the plant and its environment; the oil; method of extraction; principle (chemical) constituents; physical properties (colour, odour, melting point); folk-lore and traditional plant uses; therapeutic properties - internal uses; therapeutic properties - external uses; cosmetic; culinary use, cautionary notes.
In addition to these profiles there are sections explaining the chemistry of fixed oils, useful summary tables and a glossary. This is a comprehensive and useful book which gives the reader a fuller knowledge of the therapeutic and cosmetic possibilities of carrier oils.
Contents (edited)
- Section 1
- Chapter 1 The nature of fats and oils
- Chapter 2 Chemistry of fixed oils
- Chapter 3 Fixed oils and skin penetration
- Section 2
- Carrier oil profiles
- Section 3
- Glossary
- Appendices
- A table of properties
- B Iodine value
- C Other oils that may be encountered
- Bibliography
- Index
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| The Bloomsbury Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy
Chrissie Wildwood 2000
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Reviewer: Tracey Goulding
BSc(Hons), BA(Hons), ITEC diplomas aromatherapy and massage
August 2006 |
| Aromatherapy is a comprehensive reference guide to aromatherapy. The book is very well presented, including colour photography, diagrams and illustrations. The profiles of essential oils are clear and concise, enabling ease of use and quick reference. The body's main systems (respiratory, skin, muscular and skeletal etc) and ailments are covered with the most appropriate essential oils to treat such conditions listed. Herbal and nutritional supplements are also mentioned. Aromatherapy is aimed at both the lay person and the practising therapist.
Contents (edited)
- Part 1 Basic Principles
- A brief history of Aromatics
- The essence of Aromatherapy
- Capturing essential oils
- Essential oil safety
- Apprenticed to aromatherapy
- Creative therapeutic blending
- Part 2 Aromatherapeutics
- Before you begin home treatments
- The skin
- The respiratory system
- The heart and circulatory system
- The digestive system
- The urinary system
- The muscular and skeletal system
- The endocrine system
- The nervous system
- The immune system
- The female reproductive system
- Aromatherapy for babies and children
- Part 3 Body, mind and soul
- Nurturing your whole being
- Developing your healing potential
- Scents of mystery and imagination
- Part 4 Massage
- The healing art of massage
- Sports massage
- Maternity, babies and children
- Aromatherapy massage for lovers
- Part 5 Aesthetic aromatherapy
- Aromatic beauty care
- Create your own perfumes
- Part 6 Home and Garden
- Home Sweet Home
- The aromatic pet
- The aromatic garden
- Part 7 Aromatic Profiles
- Guide to aromatic profiles
- Glossary of medical terms
- Suggested reading
- Useful addresses
- General glossary
- Bibliography
- Address
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| Tracey Goulding practises therapeutic and aromatherapy
massage in East Dulwich, London Purple
Pages: view practitioner's webpage. |
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InFocus: Book Reviews