Complete Aromatherapy Handbook: Essential Oils for Radiant Health

by Susanne Fischer-Rizzi, Peter Ebenhoch (Illustrator), Gunter Hartmann (Illustrator)

"When essential oils are put in a lamp, inhaled, applied to the skin, placed in bathwater, or even taken orally, a person can feel relaxed, energized, or uplifted. In this beautifully illustrated book, a holistic practitioner describes the history and physiological basis of aromatherapy, tells how to extract and store the oils, and gives detailed information on 27 of the most important essential oils, including their dosages and beneficial effects."-- Library Journal.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Thomas Radzienda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I'm enjoying it! I like the author's rather poetic, creative approach to essential oils. It seems weak, in a technical sense, concerning specific components and scientific background of the oils. Nevertheless, this book is inspiring and emphasizes a very subjective, esoteric approach to oils. Concurrently, I am reading Marcel Lavabre's "Aromatherapy Workbook" and he covers the more scientific and technical aspects of oils. These two book complement each other quite well.

[Inara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title in German:
Himmlische Düfte

It´s a joy to take a look at this book and I almost can smell the essential oils described in it. 27 essential oils are explained very detailed and additionally 48 in a shorter description. There are many recipes included for massage oils, shampoos, bath essences and for use in your lamp to scent your rooms. It inspires to experiment with different essences and find our own recipes. On of my favorite mixture for bathing is called "Sultan´s Nights" with 10 drops of sandal wood and 5 drops orange oil. Mix it with milk and cream and add to your bath. You will feel like Cleopatra and I´m sure you won´t come out of it for hours...
This review refers to the German edition of this book.
***
Es macht Freude dieses Buch nur anzusehen und ich kann beinahe die beschriebenen ätherischen Öle riechen. 27 äth. Öle sind sehr genau erläutert und zusätzlich 48 weitere in kürzerer Beschreibung. Eine Fülle von Rezepten für Massageöle, Shampoos, Badezusätze und für den Gebrauch in der Duftlampe warten nur darauf ausprobiert zu werden. Das Buch macht Lust mit den Essenzen selbst zu experimentieren und eigene Rezepte zu kreieren. Eines meiner Lieblingsbadezusätze heißt "Sultans Nächte2, bestehend aus 10 Tropfen Sandelholz und 5 Tropfen Orangenöl. Vermischt mit Milch und Sahne und dem Badewasser zugegeben, fühlt man sich wie Cleopatra und verläßt die Badewanne wahrscheinlich nicht so schnell...

Homepage of the author:
http://www.susanne-fischer-rizzi.de/

[Rivka Levy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aromatherapy books tend to split into two distinct camps: either more technical and practical, with lots of instructions for making blends and safety warnings, or more 'holistically-minded', if you can say that, concerned more with the overall effect of the oils on the soul and person's outlook.

This book is firmly in the second camp, and I tend to enjoy those ones a lot more than the more mechanistic aromatherapy books.

The author clearly knows and loves her oils, and her enthusiasm is infectious.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well organized, but a bit wordy. I'm looking to purchase an essential oil reference book for my library. I rarely purchase books, but I want to find something that inspires me and that I can take notes in as I create new concoctions. I borrowed this from the library, publication date is 1990 -- I'm looking for something with more color and vibrancy and that is more current. Although, I'm sure the data on the oils hasn't changed since they've been around for hundreds of years (or more) ...

[Giovanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Title should be 'Not Complete and Sometimes Inacurate Aromatherapy Handbook'. I wish it was more COMPLETE in both oil listings as well as detailed information about the oils. Some of the information on the listed oils contradicts most other information. I find it only somewhat useful and definitely a waste of money.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Introduction to Aromatherapy/Essential Oils. The book includes a history of aromatherapy, then some general ways to use essential oils, then a spotlight on the most popular essential oils. Using EO in the bath was my favorite section. :)

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Currently reading this book - I'm learning a lot about the various methods that essential oils are processed and the various attributes.

[Jeffreylmt · Rating 5 out of 5]

a short book, but very passionate about the subject. The illustrations are very effective

[Ann]

Complete Aromatherapy Handbook by Fischer-Rizzi @ 1990, ISBN: 0806982225, PB LBS, $1.00, 9/2012