Customer Reviews

Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to The Use of Aromatic Oils In Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health and Well Being

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As someone who has been actively involved in aromatherapy for almost ten years, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Lawless' acclaimed book. Based on its title and description, I was expecting a true encyclopedia - something like Worwood's The Fragrant Pharmacy, only more comprehensive and without specific recipes (I prefer it that way).

It IS an "encyclopedia": it contains the descriptions of 190 + EO (= essential oils), probably the most you'll ever see compiled in a single book.
They are arranged by alphabetical order, and the entries include a detailed description of the plant & of the oil, its geographic distribution, etc.
It also includes extensive botanical, chemical and safety data. They even include traditional uses of the plant from which the EO in question is extracted. (This, by the way, is not at all necessary - or even particularly useful - information, since EO can be extracted from parts of plants different to those that are used in traditional medicine.)

All this information would be fine (if slightly superfluous) - if the data concerning the specific properties of the EO discussed had been more extensive.
Of course Lawless duly lists all the actions (such as antipyretic, fungicidal, sedative, etc.) and "aromatherapy/home" uses. But the latter are listed in a "telegraphic" way that doesn't really appear to make any distinctions between the specific benefits of each EO. Of course many oils have very similar effects. But "similar" does not equal "the same".

A typical "Aromatherapy/Home Use" rubric (in this case, for spikenard) looks like this:

SKIN CARE: Allergies, inflammation, mature skin, rashes etc.
NERVOUS SYSTEM: Insomnia, nervous indigestion, migraine, stress and tenson.
OTHER USES: Little used these days, usually as substitute for valerian oil.

First of all, what is meant by "etc."?
Those already familiar with the EO in question would know - but those who aren't probably wouldn't.

In this particular case, BTW, the data also fail to mention the cardiotonic properties of the plant, which makes the OTHER USES rubric incomplete. (And by the way: I, for one, use spikenard A LOT!)
Surprisingly, the HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION also fails to mention its restorative effect on hair colour.

And this is just an example, picked at random.

I am really, really not nit-picking, and I hope my writing doesn't come across that way. I think Lawless' book is an extremely useful primer - and, yes, an "encyclopaedia", in a concise sort of way - that absolutely should find a place on the shelves of anyone interested in aromatherapy. There is no question about that. This book is 100% recommended. It is a very good introduction for beginners, and a very useful quick-reference book for those who already are experienced EO users.

I just find that it has perhaps too many general (somewhat superfluous) data on the one hand, and too little (specific) information on the other. I think it would be a very good idea to extend the "Herbal/Folk Tradition" and "Aromatherapy/Home Use" rubrics, to include perhaps some more anecdotal information (duly labeled as such) and somewhat more elaborate indications for the specific uses of each oil.

Then this book would truly become the unsurpassed treasure of aromatherapy data that it should be.

The first thing you notice about this book is that there's no color in it, which is misleading because the cover is so beautiful. I thought there would be photos of each plant and it's uses. Although it is in alphabetical order, it all sorta runs together. For practical home use, I do not recommend this book. For each plant it gives synonyms, general description, distribution, other species, herbal/folk tradition, actions, extraction, charactistics, principal constituents, safty, and FINALLY aromatherapy and home use. For me half of those catergories are of no interest. Lots of the aromatherapy and home use seems to be the same from plant to plant. It never describes how one should apply or administer these plants and essential oils for therapy. Its just not what I was looking for as far as a practical guide that you can grab and look up a certain symptom or oil...

Part 1: An Introduction to Aromatics
Chapter 1 Historical Roots
Chapter 2 Aromatherapy and Herbalism
Chapter 3 The Body Actions and Applications
Chapter 4 How to Use Essential Oils and Home
Chapter 5 Creative Blending
Chapter 6 A Guide to Aromatic Materials
Part 2: The Oils
--Over 160 essential oils discussed which includes its common name, synonyms, general description, distribution, other species, herbal folk tradition, actions, extraction, characteristics, principal constituents, safety data, aromatherapy/home use and other uses

At the end of the book, it includes a few useful addresses, including phone numbers where you can contact for more infomation about essential oils

This book also includes a therapeutic index which is a guide of abbreviate terms in 10 categories which are suggested appilications of essential oils mentioned in the book. You can use essential oils for skin care; circulation, muscles, and joints; respiratory sytem; digestive system; gentio-urinary aand endocrine system; immune system; and nervos system

Includes a general glossary and a section on botanical classification

This is the first edition of the acclaimed book. You want to buy an updated one - The ILLUSTRATED encyclopedia of Essential oils by the same author. The difference is huge. Not only the Illustrated version has beautiful pictures of the plants, oils, ect but it also has tons of new, updated info that the first (this) edition misses. In other words, yes, this book is kind of the basis for the Illustrated edition but it is very pale in comparison to it. I would not waste your money on this one and buy the Illustrated one, which is a must have for anybody interested in aromatherapy as one of the best references/encyclopedias out there. Hope this review is helpful in your choice.

This book is recommended or required reading for almost every aromatherapy educational course, home use workshop, or personal study bibliography I have ever seen produced by leaders in the aromatherapy field in the United States, Canada, or Great Britain.

Application guidelines and chemistry overview are located at the front of the book.

To throughly learn a subject, whether by reading or class work, more than one source of information is necessary. I recommend at least 4 different sources of information and 7 is better. This text should definately be one of the 4 for aromatherapy.

I had ordered the newer version of this book (circa 1995 or later) which is under a slightly different title (The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy and Herbalism). I was quite disappointed to receive this version, which is not illustrated and does not have the same detail of information (i know this because i used the "search inside this book" capability for the one i ordered). I have emailed the seller to return it, but just thought I would post my review so that others know that it is absolutely worth buying the newer publication!