Table of Contents
Preface 8
How to Use This Book 9
Part I An Introduction to Aromatics 11
1 Historical Roots 11
Natural Plant Origins 11
Ancient Civilizations 12
Treasures from the East 13
Alchemy 14
The Scientific Revolution 15
2 Aromatherapy and Herbalism 16
The Birth of Aromatherapy 16
Herbal Medicine 16
Therapeutic Guidelines 17
Safety Precautions 19
3 The Body - Actions and Applications 20
How Essential Oils Work 20
The Skin 20
The Circulation, Muscles and Joints 21
The Respiratory System 21
The Digestive System 21
The Genito-urinary and Endocrine Systems 22
The Immune System 23
The Nervous System 24
The Mind 24
4 How to use Essential Oils at Home 26
Massage 26
Skin Oils and Lotions 26
Hot and Cold Compresses 27
Hair Care 27
Flower Waters 28
Baths 28
Vaporization 28
Steam Inhalation 28
Douche 28
Neat Application 28
Internal Use 29
5 Creative Blending 30
Therapeutic and Aesthetic Properties 30
Correct Proportions 31
Synergies 31
Fragrant Harmony 32
Personal Perfumes 32
6 A Guide to Aromatic Materials 34
Habitat 34
Chemistry 34
Methods of Extraction 35
Natural versus 'Nature Identical' 38
Part II The Oils 39
Ajowan 39
Allspice 39
Almond, Bitter 40
Ambrette Seed 41
Amyris 42
Angelica 42
Anise, Star 44
Aniseed 45
Arnica 46
Asafetida 46
Balm, Lemon 47
Balsam, Canadian 48
Balsam, Copaiba 49
Balsam, Peru 50
Balsam, Tolu 51
Basil, Exotic 52
Basil, French 52
Bay Laurel 54
Bay, West Indian 55
Benzoin 56
Bergamot 57
Birch, Sweet 58
Birch, White 59
Boldo Leaf 60
Borneol 60
Boronia 61
Broom, Spanish 62
Buchu 63
Cabreuva 64
Cade 64
Cajeput 65
Calamintha 66
Calamus 67
Camphor 68
Cananga 69
Caraway 70
Gardomon 71
Carrot Seed 72
Cascarilla Bark 72
Cassia 73
Cassie 74
Cedarwood, Atlas 75
Cedarwood, Texas 76
Cedarwood Virginian 76
Celery Seed 77
Chamomile, German 78
Chamomile, Maroc 79
Chamomile, Roman 80
Chervil 81
Cinnamon 81
Citronella 83
Clove 84
Coriander 85
Costus 86
Cubebs 86
Cumin 87
Cypress 88
Deertongue 89
Dill 90
Elecampane 91
Elemi 92
Eucalyptus, Blue Gum 93
Eucalyptus, Lemon-Scented 94
Eucalyptus, Broad-leaved Peppermint 95
Fennel 96
Fir Needle, Silver 97
Frankincense 98
Galangal 99
Galbanum 100
Gardenia 101
Garlic 101
Geranium 102
Ginger 103
Grapefruit 105
Guaiacwood 106
Helichrysum 106
Hops 107
Horseradish 108
Hyacinth 109
Hyssop 110
Jaborandi 111
Jasmine 111
Juniper 113
Labdanum 114
Lavandin 115
Lavender, Spike 116
Lavender, True 117
Lemon 118
Lemongrass 120
Lime 121
Linaloe 121
Linden 122
Litsea Cubeba 123
Lovage 123
Mandarin 125
Marigold 126
Marjoram, Sweet 126
Mastic 128
Melilotus 128
Mimosa 129
Mint, Cornmint 130
Mint, Peppermint 131
Mint, Spearmint 132
Mugwort 133
Mustard 134
Myrrh 135
Myrtle 136
Narcissus 137
Niaouli 138
Nutmeg 138
Oakmoss 140
Onion 141
Opopanax 142
Orange, Bitter 142
Orange Blossom 144
Orange, Sweet 145
Oregano, Common 146
Oregano, Spanish 147
Orris 148
Palmarosa 149
Parsley 150
Patchouli 151
Pennyroyal 152
Pepper, Black 153
Petitgrain 154
Pine, Dwarf 155
Pine, Longleaf 155
Pine, Scotch 156
Rose, Cabbage 157
Rose, Damask 159
Rosemary 160
Rosewood 161
Rue 162
Sage, Clary 163
Sage, Common 164
Sage, Spanish 165
Sandalwood 166
Santolina 167
Sassafras 168
Savine 168
Savory, Summer 169
Savory, Winter 170
Schinus Molle 170
Snakeroot 171
Spikenard 172
Spruce, Hemlock 173
Styrax, Levant 174
Tagetes 175
Tansy 176
Tarragon 176
Tea Tree 177
Thuja 178
Thyme, Common 179
Tonka 181
Tuberose 181
Turmeric 182
Turpentine 183
Valerian 184
Vanilla 185
Verbena, Lemon 186
Vetiver 187
Violet 188
Wintergreen 189
Wormseed 190
Wormwood 191
Yarrow 192
Ylang Ylang 193
Acknowledgements 194
References 195
Bibliography 196
Useful Addresses 198
Therapeutic Index 199
General Glossary 205
Botanical Classification 210
Botanical Index 220
