The Aromatherapy Encyclopedia

David Schiller, Carol Schiller

Description

Carol and David Schiller, recognized experts in the field of aromatheraphy and plant oils, have created a comprehensive reference book. Includes a general introduction to proper safety, preparation, and usage of the oils, and what to watch out for in commercial products. Separate chapters provide descriptions of the essential oils, carrier oils, and infused oils, deetailing their derivation and history, documented properties, and armatherapeutic methods of use. With category listings of oil properties and cross-reference lists from botanical to common names.

Sujets

• Santé et bien-être
• Santé du quotidien
• Santé au quotidien
• Santé au quotidien
• Fitness
• Health
• Aromatherapy

Informations

• Publié par: Turner Publishing Company
• Date de parution: 15 février 2013
• Nombre de lectures: 1
• EAN13: 9781591203520
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

THE AROMATHERAPY ENCYCLOPEDIA
A CONCISE GUIDE TO OVER 395 PLANT OILS
C AROL S CHILLER D AVID S CHILLER
I LLUSTRATED BY J EFFREY S CHILLER
This book is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the services of a natural practioner. Before using any of the oils, please read the safety guidelines in Chapter 1 very carefully. The safe and proper use of the oils is the sole responsibility of the reader. The authors and publisher assume no responsibility or liability for anyone s misuse, carelessness, allergic reactions, skin sensitivity, or any other conditions arising directly or indirectly from the use of this book.
The publisher does not advocate the use of any particular healthcare protocol but believes the information in this book should be available to the public. The publisher and author are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of the suggestions, preparations, or procedures discussed in this book. Should the reader have any questions concerning the appropriateness of any procedures or preparation mentioned, the author and the publisher strongly suggest consulting a professional healthcare advisor.
Basic Health Publications, Inc.
www.basichealthpub.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Schiller, Carol.
The aromatherapy encyclopedia : a concise guide to over 395 plant oils / Carol Schiller and David Schiller ; illustrated by Jeffrey Schiller.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-59120-311-7 (Pbk.)
ISBN 978-1-68162-791-5 (Hardcover)
1. Aromatherapy-Encyclopedias. 2. Essences and essential oils-Encyclopedias. I. Schiller, David II. Title.
RM666.A68S3525 2011
615 .321903-dc23
2012034019
Copyright 2008, 2012 by Carol Schiller David Schiller
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the copyright owner.
Editors: Karen Anspach, Cheryl Hirsch
Typesetting/Book design: Gary A. Rosenberg
Cover design: Mike Stromberg
Illustrations and front cover photographs: Jeffrey Schiller
Contents
CHAPTER 1
Aromatic Plants Over the Years
CHAPTER 2
Safety, Handling, and Selection of Oils
CHAPTER 3
Vegetal Oils, Butters, and Waxes
CHAPTER 4
Essential Oils
CHAPTER 5
Infused Oils
CHAPTER 6
Methods of Application, Dispersion, and Inhalation of Essential Oils
CHAPTER 7
Category Listing of Oil Properties
Cross-Reference of Botanical Names to Common Names
Plant Family Name Classification
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
About the Authors
Dedication
Dedicated to our treasured readers, who seek to learn, aquire new knowledge, and gain greater understanding of nature s extraordinary gift to us. And to the natural therapists and practitioners, who practice from the goodness of their heart to help alleviate discomfort and suffering, and guide people to live healthier, better lives. It is you who make a positive difference in this world. We appreciate your enormous value and extend our best wishes for your good health and optimal well-being to continue your great work .
Acknowledgments
We d like to thank the following people and institutions:
Dr. Karl-Werner Quirin, Co-founder and President of Flavex, a high-quality producer of CO 2 extracts in Germany. The information in Chapter 2 on the CO 2 extraction process was provided courtesy of Dr. Quirin.
Stephen Pisano, Executive Vice President and Head of Purchasing for Organic Essential Oils, at Citrus and Allied Essences, one of the most respected and high-integrity companies in the essential oil industry.
Norman Goldfind, Founder and Publisher of Basic Health Publications.
Cheryl Hirsch, our editor, for her valuable contribution.
Jeffrey Schiller, for the front cover photographs and illustrations in the book.
Harvey Farber, John Wendel, Ken Goodger, David Beaver, Dieter Kuster, Ph.D., Alban Muller, and Xavier Ormancey, Ph.D., for providing quality education at the AromaHerb Conference and Trade Show that helped people in the trade become more knowledgeable of the industry.
Sharon Muir, for promoting the education of aromatherapy so that many people can learn and incorporate the essential oils into their lives.
Lisa Lewis, Olivia Templeton, Connie LaBuhn, and Amy Goff, for their invaluable support of the aromatherapy courses.
Mary Lea, for her great enthusiasm and positive encouragement.
Roslyn Blumenthal, for her valuable insight.
The public libraries, for their exceptional service. They are the greatest institutions for learning and are a vital asset to every community, providing enormous opportunities for those seeking to further their knowledge. Libraries serve as an invaluable resource of information, helping people become more informed and educated, which is vitally necessary in maintaining a free society. We commend the following individuals and express our sincere appreciation for the helpful, caring, and unsurpassed service they provide at the Phoenix Public Library: Deputy Director of Branch Libraries Julaine Warner, Robb Barr, Louis Howley, Keith Cullers, Caren Lumley, Debbie Fincher, Greg Hills, Alex Latham, Judy De Bolt, Randle s Lunsford Jr, Delphine Snowden, Rob Steele, Rita Martinez, Connie Geyer, Jonathan Cole, Roberta Tokosh, Susan Clark, Nancy Madden, Karen Berner, Doris Foose, Maritza Jerry, and Kathleen Birtciel.
The conscientious and diligent employees at the Glendale Community College library: Amy Dodd, Michael Vogt, and Mark Floor.
The librarians and staff at the Glendale Public Library, especially: Joan Jensen, Stuart Levine, Melanie Eads, Sheryl Hurni, Sue Komernicky, Ashleigh Wilcots, Lorna Rivas, Susan M. Andrade, Andrea Ladensack, and Anne Owens.
Plant oils are a precious gift to us. Let us express our gratitude to the people who toil the soil, sow the seeds, help the plants to grow, harvest the materials, and produce the oils. We thank as well, the people who provide the transportation and the high-integrity businesses that offer these life-enhancing substances for people to greatly benefit from.
CHAPTER 1

Aromatic Plants Over the Years
S ince the beginning of recorded history, aromatic plants have been used to scent, beautify, and heal the body. They also played a major role in preserving food, due to their antibacterial properties. Twenty-four hundred years ago, herbalists and physicians knew the great value of these plants and used them to help heal their patients.
Hippocrates, the father of medicine, recommended anise to clear congestion in the breathing passages, rose flowers for uterine problems, vitex for inflammation, pine bark for wound healing and inflammation, and mint as a rejuvenative and to relieve water retention.
Theophrastus, the father of botany, recommended anise for good dreams and melissa to elevate the mood.
Pliny, the Roman herbalist, recommended violet for a good night s sleep and to relieve headaches. He mentioned mint in forty-one different potions to help digestion and revitalize the body.
Dioscorides, the Greek physician who served as a military surgeon for the Romans, wrote a five-volume text titled De Materia Medica , which presented the medicinal properties and the uses of hundreds of plants. The text was the authoritative reference on medicinal plants for 1,500 years and was used by physicians, herbalists, and apothecaries. For garlic alone, he listed more than twenty uses including an antidote for poisoning, cleaning of the arteries, and alleviating intestinal parasites. He also recommended pomegranate rind to expel tapeworms from the intestinal tract, parsley for urinary problems, rosemary for liver problems, fennel for water retention and inflammation, fenugreek for menstrual problems, lavender and hyssop for chest congestion, and thyme for improving circulation and clearing the breathing passages.
In ancient times, the Egyptians regarded the possession and use of fragrant oils as evidence of great wealth and high social standing. They luxuriated in the pleasures of bathing in scented waters, indulging in a delightful fragrant massage, and perfuming their bodies with enchanting oils and ointments. The priests were the first perfumers and healers to dispense aromatics by preparing blends for the kings, queens, and high dignitaries of temples and governments. Egyptian custom required that the king be anointed by a priest with fragrant oils before being crowned.
During religious ceremonies, the priests used aromatic waters in the anointing rituals, burned incense in an effort to protect against evil spirits, and help the worshippers concentrate on their prayers. When the pharaohs died, their bodies were wrapped with fabric containing cinnamon, myrrh, cedarwood, and other resins and oils. This mummification method was confirmed to have been effective when modern-day archaeologists excavated the mummies and found them to be well preserved in their original burial chambers.
The ancient Romans lavishly perfumed their bodies and scented everything from military flags to the walls of their homes. Eventually Rome became the bathing capital of the world, with 1,000 public bath houses located throughout the city for people to bathe, socialize, and afterwards enjoy a pampering massage with scented oils and unguents.
The art of extracting the volatile essences from plants was initiated by the Egyptians, who heated them in clay containers. Two centuries later, Greek alchemists invented the distillation process, which further developed the use of essences for religious and therapeutic purposes. By 1000 A.D., the Arabic physician, Avicenna, perfected the extraction method by introducing the cooling system into the distillation process, thereby creating the most potent essences with stronger fragrances.
During the fourteenth century, the Great Plague devastate