The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valeria Ann Worwood is an excellent reference book about essential oils and aromatherapy. It is a look up household manual of different illnesses and the appropriate treatments. It contains information about the origin of the essential oils and over 600 hundred recipes that will suit your needs. There is specific recipe for everyone including pets and the environment.
There are 13 chapters in this book. Each chapter is devoted to the specific treatment recipes. In chapter 2, the author described the ten most versatile and useful essential oils. The oils are chosen for their medicinal properties used to deal with wide range of treatments, cosmetic or skin products as well as simple remedies for the pets, homes, and gardens.
The author referred the aromatic oils as “a timeless apothecary.” Worwood wrote, “The holy anointing oil that God directed Moses to make from flowing myrrh, sweet cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive oil, would have been a powerful antiviral and antibiotic substance, the use of which gave protection and treatment to all those to whom it was administered.”
According to the author, research has confirmed the practical use of the oils like the fragrant pharmacy is known for its antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal qualities. The essential oils are known for their antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antinueralgic, antispasmodic, antivenomous, antitoxic, antidepressant, sedative, nervine, analgesic, hypotensol, digestive, expectorant, diuretic, and much more uses. The most effective way to use these oils is by external use for compresses, baths, cosmetic lotions or by inhalation delivered by steam, direct from the bottle on a cotton ball, tissue paper, or a diffuser.
The author recommended that in order for the oil to be therapeutically effective is to use the pure essential oils. The oils must come from the natural plant essences that have been extracted by steam distillation, solvent extraction, expression, maceration, or enfleurage. The reconstituted products are good for their aroma but are ineffective for medical use. The author further suggested to test the oil before buying. She also stated that the pure essential oils do not have oily base and will not leave an oily mark when dropped on a blotting paper, it will simply infuse and evanesce.
The author also defined some terms used throughout the book, synergy, adaptogens, and chemotypes. A helpful chart on the different methods in which these oils can be used effectively is added for better understanding on these oils. There is a section in the book that talks about the working man and woman and includes different recipes that will counteract the effects of the toxic and working environment to ones health. There are blends of stimulating oils to improve work performance, oils to reduce stress, and burn out and recipes for relaxing synergic blends for Jacuzzi, hot tubs, and saunas.
She added information on the ancient beauty secret found on these oils; oils to be use during pregnancy and for the new baby; and some delightful ways to enhance the fragrance in the home. She talked about the scent that can bring up the mood in the air and set the aroma style for the home.
The last section of the book gives a guide on aromassage. A picturesque information on how to, where to, and why apply the oil in certain parts of the body.
It is highly recommended to have this book and would make a good addition to anyone who are interested in natural healing, aromatherapy, massage therapy, and homeopathy.
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