Recommended Books

Amazon blurb: “This thorough guide profiles 375 different essential oils according to botanical family, habit and growth, chemical components, and actions. Historical notes and lore, often from Chinese alchemy as well as western botanical sources, are featured. Essays on evergreens, lavender, chamomile, jasmine, and more fill out important categories. Graceful botanical illustrations illuminate the text.”

Publisher’s blurb: “Smell is a social phenomenon, invested with particular meanings and values by different cultures. Odors can enforce social structures or transgress them, unite people or divide them, empower or disempower. This book breaks the “olfactory silence” of modernity by offering the first comprehensive exploration of the cultural role of odors in Western history – from antiquity to the present – and in a wide variety of non-Western societies. Its topics range from the medieval concept of the “odor of sanctity”, to the aromatherapies of South America, and from olfactory stereotypes of gender and ethnicity in the modern West to the role of smell in post-modernity.”

Robert Tisserand about the authors: “I met Constance and David in 1995, when Constance gave a presentation at an aromatherapy conference that I organized. She spoke on “A Short History of the Role of Smell in Medicine.”

From Robert Tisserand’s foreword: “This subject area is only lightly touched on in most aromatherapy books, and it has remained a source of debate and confusion. Bensouilah and Buck have gone a long way to dispelling this confusion through their detailed discussion of, for example, transdermal permeation and skin barrier issues, excipients, and dosages and concentrations, as well as therapeutic effects. These discussions are woven into a foundation covering the basics of skin structure and function, essential oil chemistry and safety issues. A thorough understanding of dermatology underpins the book, and both current research and clinical knowledge are elegantly applied to the skin conditions discussed.”

Amazon blurb: “The author covers new and exciting developments in research into the use of essential oils, explores the merits and limitations of holistic, psychosensory and molecular approaches to blending and suggests effective ways of choosing the most suitable approach for individual clients. Evidence-based profiles of essential oils and absolutes are included and the comprehensive tables summarising their actions enable practitioners to identify easily potential contenders for synergistic blends.”

Amazon blurb: “Offers an exploration into the realm of fragrance. Throughout the history of civilization, perfumes, incense and aromatic plants and oils have been used to enhance human experience, and today aromatherapy is attracting widespread interest. We are all aware of our individual responses to fragrance, but the psychological and emotional effects of essential oils have been little explored. Can aromas be used therapeutically to bring about predictable results? Here the latest scientific research, primitive beliefs and traditions re-examined in an analysis of the development and role of fragrance – and its promise of healing for the human psyche.”

Amazon reviewer: “An excellent book that is informed with an outlook that can only come from a working professional. Includes some sound scientific principles – down to how the size of the dropper bore will affect what you measure out. They even cover some basic chemistry though I’m glad there was only one chapter on that. The information includes dilution charts, blending tips and a comprehensive section on carrier oils as well as the in-depth profiles of a number of essential oils. Appropriate safety precautions are included. Each chapter has a worksheet at the end to allow you to test your own understanding of the preceding information.”

From the foreword: “Traditional Chinese Medicine is a massive edifice, built of painstaking observation, practice and skill. Making this inherently complex subject accessible and real, and at the same time merging it with the practice of aromatherapy, is no easy task, but one which Gabriel accomplishes with clarity and confidence. Every page draws the reader inexorably in to an intricate web of holistic truth. There is a complete rationale for selecting essential oils appropriate to the needs of the whole person, and many aromatherapists will find this ancient yet novel approach an enlightening one.”

Robert Tisserand about the author: “Gabriel and I have known each other for several decades, and we have hosted each other at live events.”

Publisher’s blurb: “Covers the full spectrum of theory and practice from essential oil science and the foundations of practice to the application of aromatherapy for specific conditions. The fourth edition of this highly successful book provides a clear and authoritative introduction to aromatherapy as practiced in modern health care settings. It gives valuable information for any health professional wishing to develop their understanding of the subject, providing the in-depth knowledge needed to use essential oils in the practice environment.”

Robert Tisserand about the authors: “I have known Shirley and Len since 1980. Shirley and I are both the recipients of aromatherapy lifetime achievement awards from the Association of International Aromatherapists.”

Amazon blurb: “If you are a massage therapist or massage therapy student with an interest in adding aromatherapy to your practice, this book is for you! It addresses your specific needs and concerns, and provides useful answers to the questions about aromatherapy that most practitioners only learn after years of experience. Information on practical concerns, such as pricing sessions to account for the cost of oils, proper dilutions, sending products home with clients, and effective formulations for specific ailments, make this an indispensable resource.”

“A comprehensive guide to using essential oils in health, beauty, and well-being. Expanded and revised throughout, including new material on ayurvedic and ceremonial aromatherapy, massage, and herbal treatments, as well as updated resources and scientific findings.”

Amazon reviewer: “Finally a complete guide that is easy to read and affordable. The descriptions, explanations, and step-by-step preparation methods are written for the novice and are easy to follow. I especially like the quick reference on page 30 outlining the basic essential oils. The book is full of them, and I think they’re wonderful to use in concocting new, safe and different aromatherapy mixtures. The authors have done a remarkable job of translating the seemingly enigmatic language of aromatherapy. The charts in chapter four are especially helpful. Now lavender oil has become a relaxing addition to all my baths!”

Amazon blurb: “The book encompasses all aspects of successful clinical use of aromatherapy, including phytochemistry, technology, and clinical trials. It outlines a rational basis for clinical translation of aromatherapy for treating human diseases in need of safer therapies. It also describes evidence-based use of aromatherapy in controlling clinical manifestations of severe diseases for which conventional therapies often fail, such as managing agitation and aggression associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.”

Amazon blurb: “This detailed and practical database of clinical experience of essential oil therapeutics takes a truly holistic approach, focussing on the psychological, the physiological and the energetic or Chinese medical aspects. Skilfully blending the evidence of scientific research with that of clinical practice, the book builds a comprehensive therapeutic profile for each oil it presents to the reader. Based on the different administration methods used and the absorption pathways activated, it clearly differentiates the psychological, physiological and topical uses of these essential oils. An extensive Materia Medica section is included. Reliable clinical reference material is offered for all complementary therapists, including aromatherapists, medical herbalists, Chinese Medicine practitioners, energy medicine therapists and massage therapists.”

Amazon reviewer: “An excellent book that is informed with an outlook that can only come from a working professional. Includes some sound scientific principles – down to how the size of the dropper bore will affect what you measure out. They even cover some basic chemistry though I’m glad there was only one chapter on that. The information includes dilution charts, blending tips and a comprehensive section on carrier oils as well as the in-depth profiles of a number of essential oils. Appropriate safety precautions are included. Each chapter has a worksheet at the end to allow you to test your own understanding of the preceding information.”

Amazon blurb: “This volume provides a general overview of the therapeutic potential of the essential oils in cancer and highlights some promising future directions. It integrates chemistry, pharmacology, and medicine while discussing bioactive essential oils in experimental models and clinical studies of cancer. The book is a valuable resource for all engaged in the study of natural products and their synthetic derivatives, particularly for those interested in academic research and pharmaceutical and food industries dedicated in the discovery of useful agents for the therapy or prevention of cancer.”

From the back cover: “Dr. Buckle brings together those elements most important to practicing clinicians – grounding in the physical sciences, safety information, evidence from the scientific literature, and a wealth of personal clinical experience…This work is an important addition to the aromatherapy practice literature, and I strongly recommend it to all health professionals who are interested in this rapidly expanding complementary therapy.” Linda Halcón, PhD, MPH, RN.

Amazon blurb: “Unique book on complementary nursing care, written for professionals in palliative and terminal care. Nurses, physicians and other palliative care workers, aromatherapist, massage therapists and herbalists alike will find a wealth of well founded information on aromacare and the way some 30 essential oils and a small but well chosen range of base oils and other base substances can be used in end of life care. You will find a full chapter on simple but wholesome massage techniques and a chapter on aquacare, which allows you to offer patients the great benefits of warm compresses, washings, affusions and baths.”

From Roberttisserand.com: “A comprehensive safety resource for professional, practitioner and industry reference. Essential Oil Safety provides a rational basis for an analysis of hazards and risks of each essential oil based on current scientific understanding of their biological actions. The 600 newly structured and extended profiles (either of essential oils or constituents) provide the only comprehensive, evidence-based guidance currently in publication to safe formulations and use of an encyclopedic range of essential oils.”

Amazon blurb: “Revised and significantly expanded, the latest edition of this handbook provides full information on the use of essential oils in the field of contemporary aromatherapy and aromatic therapy, based on the most up-to-date research evidence behind their therapeutic applications.

The third edition features a fully updated and expanded contents including detailed Aromatic Profiles of over 250 essential oils, absolutes and resinoids, a new chapter on the latest research in pharmacognosy to foster an understanding of how essential oils work, and a new chapter on formulating essential oils, based on theory and evidence and containing practical suggestions. The author provides a detailed account of how essential oils are created, how and where aromatherapy is used, and the underlying pharmacology and chemistry. This will be an indispensable text for all students and practitioners of aromatherapy and related disciplines, as well as anyone interested in the use of essential oils for health and well-being.”

Amazon blurb: “The author provides the historical and cultural context for our understanding of aromatherapy, with an overview of its relationships with Greek, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. She gives a detailed account of how essential oils are created, how and where aromatherapy is used, the underlying pharmacology, and the current research. The characteristics of over 100 essential oils, absolutes and resinoids are provided in detail, including botanical and chemical information, usage and combinations. This will be an indispensable text for all students and practitioners of aromatherapy and related disciplines, as well as anyone interested in the use of essential oils for health and well-being.”

Amazon blurb: “Fighting Multidrug Resistance with Herbal Extracts, Essential Oils and their Components offers scientists a single source aimed at fighting specific multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms such as bacteria, protozoans, viruses and fungi using natural products. This essential reference discusses herbal extracts and essential oils used or under investigation to treat MDR infections, as well as those containing antimicrobial activity that could be of potential interest in future studies against MDR microorganisms. The need to combat multidrug-resistant microorganisms is an urgent one and this book provides important coverage of mechanism of action, the advantages and disadvantages of using herbal extracts, essential oils and their components and more to aid researchers in effective antimicrobial drug discovery.”