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BOOK R AROMATHERAPY A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE HEALING ART KATHI KEVILLE & MINDYGREEN PUBLISHED BY THE CROSSING PRESS $14.95 fill.99 156 PAGES PAPERBACK T he idea of yet another book in--the growing archives of introductory aromatherapy texts did not fill me with great relish. It was therefore a delight to discover one of the most intelligible, resoukelul, and authoritative texts that I have come across in this field to date. Co-authors Kathi Keville and Mindy Green, both practitioners of herbal and plant medicine for over twenty years, blend their experience with well researched material to present aromathcrapy ‘Theory’ ; ‘Therapy’ ; and ‘Alchemy’ . The essence of the text is undoubtedly familiar, however this book does not take the liberty of expressing knowledge as fact. Instead, it presents a clear and succinct explanation of the therapeutic applications, and basic alchemy of essential oils, the why’s and EVIEW RUTH SMITH LOUISE PIERCE JENNIE HARDING the wherefore’s, providing the reader with an informed knowledge. This adds much strength to the book. I was particularly impressed with the practical instruction given. It includes recipes and guidelines on how to make your own body powders, pessaries, lip balm, deodorants, base creams and lotions, and looks at the use of colourings, preservatives and emulsifiers (all natural). The value and purpose of each ingredient is carefully explained and comparisons made with cemmcrcially available products. All safety considerations are both accurate and clear. The text is presented very simply, printed in black and white, without diagrams, illustrations or photographs. This in no way detracts from the value or accessibility of it’s content. I can thoroughly recommend this book for layperson, student, and practitioner alike. RS THE WORLD OF AROMATHERAPY EDITED BY JEANNE ROSE & SUSAN EARLE PUBLISHEDBY FROG LTD $16.95 E13.99 350 PAGES PAPERBACK T he World of Aromatherapy is an anthology of aromatic history, ideas, concepts and case histories. IL is divided into seven sections: Background; Self care; A scentual mix; The oils; Case studies; Business 8c research and A student’s project. Each chapter is written by a different person, some of whom have been published before. S There is scant consistency in either the quality of writing or subject matter. For instance, Leila Castle’s ‘Goddess traditions and aromatherapy’ is so densely written that I suspect a novice to the subject would drown in it. It takes her over 50 words to describe how she mixes her aromatic blends to actually create a change in consciousness for the user that matches and elicits the quality of the sacred feminine.’ Yet Patricia Davis, in the next chapter, conveys succinctly the relationship between energy and crystals: ‘crystals are able to direct energy where it is needed, and this is no “airy Fairy” idea but scientific fact.’ The Self-care section takes a pragmatic approach to the oils. Among the helpful tips is the following suggestion locating the perineum for pre-labor perineal massage: ‘Dye describes the clitoris at 12 o’clock and the massage work taking place between four and eight o’clock.’ This strikes me as exposing the inherent problem of the book’s subject. On the one hand it is a practical, and effective tool for maintaining health and well-being, but

The world of aromatherapy Edited by Jeanne Rose & Susan Earle Published by Frog Ltd $16.95 £13.99 350 Pages Paperback

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BOOK R

AROMATHERAPY A COMPLETE GUIDE TO

THE HEALING ART KATHI KEVILLE & MINDYGREEN PUBLISHED BY

THE CROSSING PRESS $14.95 fill.99

156 PAGES PAPERBACK

T he idea of yet another book in--the growing archives of introductory

aromatherapy texts did not fill me with great relish. It was therefore a delight to discover one of the most intelligible, resoukelul, and authoritative texts that I have come across in this field to date.

Co-authors Kathi Keville and Mindy Green, both practitioners of herbal and plant medicine for over twenty years, blend their experience with well researched material to present aromathcrapy ‘Theory’; ‘Therapy’; and ‘Alchemy’.

The essence of the text is undoubtedly familiar, however this book does not take the liberty of expressing knowledge as fact. Instead, it presents a clear and succinct explanation of the therapeutic applications, and basic alchemy of essential oils, the why’s and

EVIEW RUTH SMITH

LOUISE PIERCE

JENNIE HARDING

the wherefore’s, providing the reader with an informed knowledge. This adds much strength to the book.

I was particularly impressed with the practical instruction given. It includes recipes and guidelines on how to make your own body powders, pessaries, lip balm, deodorants, base creams and lotions, and looks at the use of colourings, preservatives and emulsifiers (all natural). The value and purpose of each ingredient is carefully explained and comparisons made with cemmcrcially available products. All safety considerations are both accurate and clear.

The text is presented very simply, printed in black and white, without diagrams, illustrations or photographs. This in no way detracts from the value or accessibility of it’s content.

I can thoroughly recommend this book for layperson, student, and practitioner alike.

RS

THE WORLD OF AROMATHERAPY

EDITED BY JEANNE ROSE & SUSAN EARLE

PUBLISHEDBY FROG LTD

$16.95 E13.99 350 PAGES PAPERBACK

T he World of Aromatherapy is an anthology of aromatic history, ideas,

concepts and case histories. IL is divided into seven sections: Background; Self care; A scentual mix; The oils; Case studies; Business 8c research and A student’s project. Each chapter is written

by a different person, some of whom have been published before.

S

There is scant consistency in either the quality of writing or subject matter. For instance, Leila Castle’s ‘Goddess traditions and aromatherapy’ is so densely written that I suspect a novice to the subject would drown in it. It takes her over 50 words to describe how she mixes her aromatic blends ‘to actually create a change in consciousness for the user that matches and elicits the quality of the sacred feminine.’ Yet Patricia Davis, in the

next chapter, conveys succinctly the relationship between energy and crystals: ‘crystals are able to direct energy where it is needed, and this is no “airy Fairy” idea but scientific fact.’

The Self-care section takes a pragmatic approach to the oils. Among the helpful tips is the following suggestion locating the perineum for pre-labor perineal massage: ‘Dye describes the clitoris at 12 o’clock and the massage work taking place between four and eight o’clock.’ This strikes me as exposing the inherent problem of the book’s subject. On the one hand it is a practical, and effective tool for maintaining health and well-being, but

it is also an alchemy, a science and a business for many of the book’s contributors and (presumably) readers. To be told how to locate one’s perineum in the middle of all this begs questions. Is itjust a natural remedy or is it a dynamic, effective industry which should be taken more seriously,

researched more vigorously and have more money poured into it? Or can the two lie side by side? 7Xe World 01

Aromatherapy would have us believe so. LP

AROMATHERAPY FOR PRACTITIONERS ULLA MAIJAGRACE

PUBLISHEDBY C.W. DANIEL

88.95 192 PAGES PAPERBACK

ftcr the flood of introductory Ab ooks on aromatherapy of late it is good to see a title finally aimed at the practitioner. The author sets out to give a framework for the detailed study of aromatherapy, and a glance at her index is impressive; it covers everything from distillation and quality of essential oils, massage and client/therapist relationships to psychological conditions and Hippocratic temperaments. In the introduction the author mentions the work of Pierre Franchomme and Daniel PCnijel as her inspiration.

Further reading of the book highlights a model medicine reminiscent of PCniiel, (psychological. internal and manipulative approaches in a triangular relationship) and it is

good to see such ideas being spread to a wider audience.

I begin to find areas of some contention as I read on; for instance, the highlighting of chemical groups as having specific pharmacological properties is debatable, and the view (expressed very emotively) that essential oils are dangerous in pregnancy seems overstated, especially given the benefits reported recently in aromatherapy circles of essential oils in ldbour.

Coming on to the monographs of individual oils, I ftnd no details of blending factors to give help in calculating individual doses in a blend - the dosage information on page twenty is very brief and does not go into calculations. Perhaps it is the assumption of the author that the reader will already know this information? I am also surprised to find an essential oil like tarragon in a general listing the species in question is covered very fully by Tisserand/Balacs in their safety text, where contraindications are clearly suggested due to the estragole content and potential carcinogenicity. Ulla Maija Grace indicates tarragon for muscular aches and pains. Since we have so many excellent essential oils for treating these symptoms which present no hazard, why highlight one which is potenlially toxic ?

Other sections in the book cover areas sttch as skin and olfactory absorption, as well as essential oils for specific conditions - though here it is interesting to note that where recipes are specified, the dose levels seem high - e.g. page 128, blend for haemorrhoids

20 drops each of cypress, niaouli and lemon in 50mI gel or base oil - over 5% on a delicate area!

All in all, this book is a laudable attempt to give overview of essential knowledge in aromatherapy treatment. It stimulated me to think about contentious subjects, and made me aware that as our profession opens up, we will find differing opinions on key areas.

JH