The Complete Essential Oils Sourcebook: A Practical Approach to the Use of Essential Oils for Health and Well-Being. Julia Lawless
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and Medicines Act made the practice of herbal medicine illegal. Fifty years later, the scientific world is reappraising the value of natural remedies: as the limited effectiveness, and unwanted side effects, of aggressively synthesized medications are being recognized, aromatic essences are coming back into their own once again.
But is the current fascination for aromatherapy just another fashion or fad, or is it part of a larger sociological and cultural movement? Firstly, many of the so-called “alternative” therapies, including aromatherapy, are not new or modern techniques. They are based on ancient medical systems that have been built up over thousands of years from accumulated empirical evidence. Medical herbalism, and the use of aromatic remedies in particular, are very much older forms of treatment than Western allopathic, or orthodox, medicine. Unlike many modern drugs, plant remedies have been tried and tested over generations, and any side effects or environmental consequences carefully noted. Herbal medicine and aromatherapy consequently represent a return to nature, being based on principles requiring ecological awareness. This corresponds with many people’s interest in “green” issues, and a widespread concern regarding the unknown effects of certain chemicals on the whole ecosystem and the long-term consequences of our exploitation of natural resources.
Melissa (lemon balm) is a plant much used by herbalists that also yields a valuable essential oil.
Perhaps the most feminine of all scents, roses have been used to make perfume and healing remedies since ancient times. The ancient Romans used the wild rose as a remedy for the bites of rabid dogs. Roses are still highly valued today and rose essential oil is very expensive.
The art of herbal distillation has been perfected over the centuries.
Secondly, alternative forms of therapy embrace a holistic approach to health. They focus on the well-being of the individual as a whole, including that person’s emotional or mental disposition. They are thus able to fulfill society’s need for some kind of psychological support during an era of instability. An aromatherapy massage, for example, can provide a valuable antidote to the fast pace of 20th-century life and help relieve many of the stress-related problems that are so widespread today.
PETITGRAIN
Thirdly, with regard to aromatherapy massage at least, it is a very comforting yet multifaceted form of treatment. During a treatment, the pleasingly scented aromatic oils produce both psychological and physiological effects as they are rubbed into the skin and absorbed into the bloodstream. In addition, the essential oils themselves are highly concentrated and easy to use, and require little or no preparation. This means that they can readily be employed by all kinds of people in a variety of ways to enhance their health and the overall quality of their lifestyle, rather than being limited to the hands of health professionals.
THYME
This book has been written partly as a companion volume to my previous 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,