Julia Lawless - Encyclopedia of Essential Oils - The complete guide to the use of aromatic oils in aromatherapy, herbalism, health and well-being.

HarperThorsons

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Thorsons is a trademark of HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

First published in Great Britain in 1992 by Element Books Limited

This revised and updated edition published by HarperThorsons 2014

Botanical illustrations by Sarah Roche

© Julia Lawless 1992

A catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library

While every effort has been made to trace the owners of copyright material reproduced herein and secure permissions, the publishers would like to apologise for any omissions and will be pleased to incorporate missing acknowledgements in any future edition of this book.

Julia Lawless asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

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Source ISBN: 9780007145188

EPub Edition © SEPTEMBER 2014 ISBN: 9780007405213

Version: 2014-10-01

To my mother, Kerttu

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Preface

How to Use This Book

Part I: An Introduction to Aromatics

1. Historical Roots

Natural Plant Origins

Ancient Civilizations

Treasures from the East

Alchemy

The Scientific Revolution

2. Aromatherapy and Herbalism

The Birth of Aromatherapy

Herbal Medicine

Therapeutic Guidelines

Safety Precautions

3. The Body-Actions and Applications

How Essential Oils Work

The Skin

The Circulation, Muscles and Joints

The Respiratory System

The Digestive System

The Genito-urinary and Endocrine Systems

The Immune System

The Nervous System

The Mind

4. How to use Essential Oils at Home

Massage

Skin Oils and Lotions

Hot and Cold Compresses

Hair Care

Flower Waters

Baths

Vaporization

Steam Inhalation

Douche

Neat Application

Internal Use

5. Creative Blending

Therapeutic and Aesthetic Properties

Correct Proportions

Synergies

Fragrant Harmony

Personal Perfumes

6. A Guide to Aromatic Materials

Habitat

Chemistry

Methods of Extraction

Natural versus ‘Nature Identical’

Part II: THE OILS

Ajowan

Allspice

Almond, Bitter

Ambrette Seed

Amyris

Angelica

Anise, Star

Aniseed

Arnica

Asafetida

Balsam, Canadian

Balsam, Copaiba

Balsam, Peru

Balsam, Tolu

Basil, Exotic

Basil, French

Bay, West Indian

Benzoin

Bergamot

Birch, Sweet

Birch, White

Boldo Leaf

Borneol

Boronia

Broom, Spanish

Buchu

Cabreuva

Cade

Cajeput

Calamintha

Calamus

Camphor

Cananga

Caraway

Cardamon

Carrot Seed

Cascarilla Bark

Cassia

Cassie

Cedarwood, Atlas

Cedarwood, Texas

Cedarwood, Virginian

Celery Seed

Chamomile, German

Chamomile, Maroc

Chamomile, Roman

Champaca

Chervil

Cinnamon

Citronella

Clove

Coriander

Costus

Cubebs

Cumin

Cypress

Deertongue

Dill

Dorado Azul

Elecampane

Elemi

Eucalyptus, Blue Gum

Eucalyptus, Broad-leaved Peppermint

Eucalyptus, Lemon-Scented

Fennel

Fenugreek

Fir Needle, Silver

Fragonia

Frangipani

Frankincense

Galangal

Galbanum

Gardenia

Garlic

Geranium

Ginger

Goldenrod

Grapefruit

Greenland Moss

Grindelia

Guaiacwood

Ho Wood

Hops

Horseradish

Hyacinth

Hyssop

Immortelle

Jaborandi

Jasmine

Juniper

Labdanum

Laurel

Lavandin

Lavender, Spike

Lavender, True

Lemon

Lemongrass

Lime

Linaloe

Linden

Litsea Cubeba

Lotus

Lovage

Mandarin

Manuka

Marigold

Marjoram, Sweet

Mastic

Melilotus

Melissa

Mimosa

Mint, Cornmint

Mint, Peppermint

Mint, Spearmint

Mugwort

Mustard

Myrrh

Myrtle

Narcissus

Neroli

Niaouli

Nutmeg

Oakmoss

Onion

Opopanax

Orange, Bitter

Orange, Sweet

Oregano, Common

Oregano, Spanish

Orris

Osmanthus

Palmarosa

Parsley

Patchouli

Pennyroyal

Pepper, Black

Petitgrain

Pine, Dwarf

Pine, Longleaf

Pine, Scotch

Plai

Ravensara

Ravintsara

Rose, Cabbage

Rose, Damask

Rosemary

Rosewood

Rue

Sage, Clary

Sage, Common

Sage, Spanish

Sandalwood

Santolina

Sassafras

Savine

Savory, Summer

Savory, Winter

Schinus Molle

Snakeroot

Spikenard

Spruce, Hemlock

Styrax, Levant

Tagetes

Tansy

Tarragon

Tea Tree

Thuja

Thyme, Common

Tonka

Tuberose

Turmeric

Turpentine

Valerian

Vanilla

Verbena, Lemon

Vetiver

Violet

Wintergreen

Wormseed

Wormwood

Yarrow

Ylang Ylang

References

Bibliography

Useful Addresses

General Glossary

Therapeutic Index

Botanical Classification

Botanical Index

Acknowledgements

About the Author

About the Publisher

Woodcut from the title page of the Crete Herball , 1526

My own interest in essential oils and herbal remedies derives from the maternal side of my family who came from Finland, where home ‘simples’ retained popularity long after they had vanished from most parts of Britain. My Finnish grandmother knew a great deal about herbs and wild plants which she passed on to my mother, as she recalls:

Mama’s most important herb was parsley, which along with dill, marjoram, hops and others, were dried in bunches in the autumn, dangling at the ends of short lengths of cotton, all strung on a long length of thin rope stretching right across the kitchen stove. As scents are very evocative for remembering old things, I remember it so well – the strong and heady smell emanating from these herbs when they were hung up, and the stove was warm.

Later, as a biochemist, my mother became involved with the research of essential oils and plants, and helped inspire in me a fascination for herbs and the use of natural remedies. Without her early enthusiasm and guidance, I’m sure this book would never have been written.