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Advanced Aromatherapy: The Science of Essential Oil Therapy
A chemist and aromatherapy practitioner provides scientific proof for the effectiveness of using essential oils.
Aromatherapy is the fastest-growing segment of the body care industry, an effective and deeply pleasurable way to maintain well-being. Now, Kurt Schnaubelt, a chemist and longtime aromatherapy practitioner, provides scientific proof for the efficacy of essential oils, explained clearly and logically.
Advanced Aromatherapy draws on the most recent research to demonstrate how essential oils work on the cells and microbes of the body. These chemical changes affect emotional states as well as physical ones.
Advanced Aromatherapy explains how to treat symptoms ranging from hay fever to stress disorders with predictable results.
An essential textbook for aromatherapy practitioners.
Aromatherapy is the fastest-growing segment of the body care industry, an effective and deeply pleasurable way to maintain well-being. Now, Kurt Schnaubelt, a chemist and longtime aromatherapy practitioner, provides scientific proof for the efficacy of essential oils, explained clearly and logically.
Advanced Aromatherapy draws on the most recent research to demonstrate how essential oils work on the cells and microbes of the body. These chemical changes affect emotional states as well as physical ones.
Advanced Aromatherapy explains how to treat symptoms ranging from hay fever to stress disorders with predictable results.
An essential textbook for aromatherapy practitioners.
144 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 21, 2009
In my opinion, anyone who wants to mix their own essential oils (rather than buy pre-mixed oils or follow proven recipes) needs to read "Advanced Aromatherapy" in order to safely do so. The book explains the science behind why the essential oils work the way they do and provides the results of scientific studies that show which oils are most effective at doing certain actions.
This book helps the reader to understand: why various essential oils act on the human body the way they do. Why some essential oils, when combined, are more powerful than when used alone and how to select oils to create this effect. Why different chemotypes of the same essential oil can have different effects. Which oils are safe to use daily and long term and which should be limited in amount used, duration used, or how they are administered. Which oils are safe to take orally or to use on sensitive skin like mucus membranes. Which medical conditions essential oils are very successful at treating and which conditions are less so or which require long-term use to create improvement. And much more.
The book also contains a section covering various medical conditions (from the 'flu to bruises and scrapes) and gives recipes for which oils to use to treat these conditions and how to most effectively administer the oils.
I found the book easy to read and understand, and I refer back to it frequently. Readers with little science education might be a little overwhelmed at times, though. Overall, I'd highly recommend this book to those interested in aromatherapy, especially those interested in the medical uses of essential oils.
This book helps the reader to understand: why various essential oils act on the human body the way they do. Why some essential oils, when combined, are more powerful than when used alone and how to select oils to create this effect. Why different chemotypes of the same essential oil can have different effects. Which oils are safe to use daily and long term and which should be limited in amount used, duration used, or how they are administered. Which oils are safe to take orally or to use on sensitive skin like mucus membranes. Which medical conditions essential oils are very successful at treating and which conditions are less so or which require long-term use to create improvement. And much more.
The book also contains a section covering various medical conditions (from the 'flu to bruises and scrapes) and gives recipes for which oils to use to treat these conditions and how to most effectively administer the oils.
I found the book easy to read and understand, and I refer back to it frequently. Readers with little science education might be a little overwhelmed at times, though. Overall, I'd highly recommend this book to those interested in aromatherapy, especially those interested in the medical uses of essential oils.
July 31, 2012
I highly recommend this book for any serious student of aromatherapy. Kurt Schnaubelt has a very scientific approach to aromatherapy.
April 11, 2020
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning the true, scientific properties of essential oils. This has debunked many of the EO myths that I myself have believed, as well as much of the touted information that is so prevalent in MLM communities today (although he never mentions MLMs).
This book gave me a healthy fear of using oils on a whim, while empowering me to understand why they do work and what they work well for. Hint: Tea Tree and Lavender are not cure-alls.
From the history of aromatherapy, to the scientific break down of what an essential oil is, teaching you how to understand the chemical makeup and responses of each oil, the profile of over 50 different essential oils, to then teaching the proper physiological dosages and sharing combinations for various conditions and illnesses, I will be referencing this book over and over again in caring for myself and my family.
This book gave me a healthy fear of using oils on a whim, while empowering me to understand why they do work and what they work well for. Hint: Tea Tree and Lavender are not cure-alls.
From the history of aromatherapy, to the scientific break down of what an essential oil is, teaching you how to understand the chemical makeup and responses of each oil, the profile of over 50 different essential oils, to then teaching the proper physiological dosages and sharing combinations for various conditions and illnesses, I will be referencing this book over and over again in caring for myself and my family.
December 11, 2013
This is a reference manual for people interesting in using essential oils.
It is well written. He begins by showing the chemical composition of the main components of essential oils and then which oils have these components predominantly and finally what effects result from each of these components/oils.
As a result, he has developed a table much like a graph with quadrants in which you can place almost any oil and determine its effects. So it simplifies the study of the use of these oils.
After you get through this chemistry (which is fairly complicated), then there is an alphabetized section of the most commonly used essential oils, their uses and methods of application, and contraindications.
This prepares you for the last section which is what I really wanted, a list of conditions with recommended oils and treatment protocols.
I have several manuals describing the use of essential oils but they seemed confusing and remained unused on my shelves. But now that I have this basic understanding, I feel more confident about using these oils.
This is a book that I think has been badly needed and sadly missing from the alternative health field for personal, non-professional use.
It is well written. He begins by showing the chemical composition of the main components of essential oils and then which oils have these components predominantly and finally what effects result from each of these components/oils.
As a result, he has developed a table much like a graph with quadrants in which you can place almost any oil and determine its effects. So it simplifies the study of the use of these oils.
After you get through this chemistry (which is fairly complicated), then there is an alphabetized section of the most commonly used essential oils, their uses and methods of application, and contraindications.
This prepares you for the last section which is what I really wanted, a list of conditions with recommended oils and treatment protocols.
I have several manuals describing the use of essential oils but they seemed confusing and remained unused on my shelves. But now that I have this basic understanding, I feel more confident about using these oils.
This is a book that I think has been badly needed and sadly missing from the alternative health field for personal, non-professional use.
January 9, 2015
This book is definitely for the advanced reader. I got a bit lost in the chemistry and structure-effect diagrams.
There's a lot of great information here, some recipes included.
There's a lot of great information here, some recipes included.
June 20, 2017
A truly excellent and practical introduction to understanding and applying essential oils. I am quite sure this will become a well used reference book for me. Schnaubelt carefully introduces the reader to beginning to understand the complexities of essential oils and shows how learning their inherent intricacies gives us the ability to use and apply their properties more effectively; while simplifying them is a way to reduce the effectiveness and vivacity of the oils. He beautifully illustrates that "the healing powers of essential oils can be put to best use when the body of knowledge of the pharmacology of oils is combined with a modern, holistic sensitivity."
January 18, 2011
Even though I like biochemistry, it's been a while and this book was a little too technical in some chapters. This author agrees with taking essential oils internally. I don't think I plan to use oils that way, but he gives a lot of good information not found in other books. The author approaches essential oils from a more scientific standpoint than a touchy-feely happiness standpoint. The scientist in me appreciates that balance (though I don't mind the other approach). I'd like to own this one.
October 18, 2014
A great introduction to the chemistry behind essential oils and their properties. I wish it had included more information about how to use them, alone and in combination with other oils, but there are many other books that provide recipes and this is the only one that gives such detailed explanations of the active ingredients, so that is a minor complaint. Plants have developed an extraordinary number of chemical compounds to protect themselves in their evolutionary history, and these compounds are concentrated in essential oils.
July 6, 2009
Interesting...I do wish that I had just checked this book out at the library instead of buying it. It did have some interesting parts about the science behind essential oils.
January 13, 2010
Quite the useful reference--one I'm sure I'll use often. Very readable and informative. I'm not sure I believe all the theories, but the practical well-researched information is awesome.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews