The Art of Aromatherapy A Guide to Using Essential Oils for Health and Relaxation

by Pamela Allardice

Books on aromatherapy are plentiful, but finding the right one for your needs is not necessarily simple. Consider The Art of Aromatherapy an introduction into the world of essential oils. This attractive, easy-to-read reference contains many of the basics you'll need to start incorporating aromatherapy into your daily routine. After a brief but informative introduction to the medicinal and therapeutic uses of plant essences, this little book gets down to business. Thirty of the most popular essential oils are presented, first with a brief description and place in history, then moving into the practical and medicinal realm. Although most of the names will probably be familiar (basil, clove, cinnamon, lavender) many of their therapeutic uses might offer some surprises. Lavender oil, for example, is not only a calming sleep aid (just leave a drop on your pillow), but it can also be a soothing rub for patients suffering from arthritis. The fact-packed text, complemented by colorful illustrations, offers straightforward, useful information for aromatherapy beginners. --Sara Nickerson

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference

Unknown Binding

First published December 1, 1994

About the author

Pamela Allardice is the author of 24 books, including "The Art of Aromatherapy," "Body Bible," "Natural Remedies A-Z," and "Aphrodisiacs and Love Magic." She is the editor of "Nature & Health" magazine, is "Reader's Digest"'s alternative medicine editor, and is a regular contributor to radio and TV programs.

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A guide to using essential oils for health and relaxation. Beautiful watercolors.

[Eve Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

While there were a variety of oils presented with information about their uses throughout history, medical considerations and what they might be good for. It was a short look at the types of oils covered in the book. I would have liked much more information. Occasional recipes were given, but I'd hoped for more.

[Brianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting read! There's not only info about how the herbs help, but there's also a little history on each herb. I'd recommend this one, esp. since it's such a quick read.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good primer on the most common essential oils, their origin and some basic uses. Aside from the regular advice to add them to bath or drinking water, it’s a quick and informative read.

[April · Rating 1 out of 5]

This small book begins with a brief 4-page intro on the topic of aromatherapy's history, the use of oils in massage, baths or as inhalants and a warning of the danger of buying oils without guidance. Covering 30 Essential Oils with a quick 1-2 page run-down on each; this book tries to touch a very little bit on a description/history, medicnal uses and properties. Each oil is also shown next to an image/drawing. Throughout there are warnings on various oils "Caution: Avoid Use During Pregnancy" which the intro suggests means they can trigger menstruation or miscarriage. It's very much "Aromatherapy Info: LIGHT. Some of the pictures are drawings/pictures are pretty and some of the text is laughably entertaining ("Why the oil of the orange blossom should be called neroli is a mystery."); though that may not have been the intention.

Anything you didn’t like about it? This is pretty useless and fails on all levels. It isn't organized in any way that would help folks interested in Aromatherapy to use it as an actual "guide" to anything; recipes are sporadically included and not searchable by table of contents or other identifier (book lacks any index). The 30 oils included are arranged alphabetically by the Latin name of their origin plant (which is useless if you're hoping for an indication of which might be best for relaxation or some other ailment). Images are not always of the origin plant; but sometimes just of an old painting or woodcarving. This is incredibly strangely organized, highly uninformative, and not likely to prove useful as a "guide".

To whom would you recommend this book? Might be an interesting read for a few minutes as a coffee table book (though it is rather small); perhaps something for the bathroom literature basket?

Who should buy this book? Individuals VERY interested in aromatherapy who need ALL the books on it

[Amy Kreydin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very simple read with brief profiles of common essential oils. Not an exhaustive source of data on individual essential oils but makes a nice gift for the friend or loved one just considering aromatherapy.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great basic guide to aromatherpay; a resource I have used.