Essential Oils - All Natural Remedies and Recipes for Your Mind, Body and Home

258 Pages·2016·48.74 MB·english

by  Susan Curtis

ESSENTIAL
OILS
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ESSENTIAL
OILS
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ESSENTIAL
OILS
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Editor Claire Cross
Senior Designer Collette Sadler
Design and Art Direction
Emma Forge and Tom Forge
Managing Editor Angela Wilkes
Managing Art Editor Marianne Markham
Jacket Designer Harriet Yeomans
Senior Jacket Creative Nicola Powling
Senior Producer, Pre-Production
Tony Phipps
Art Director Maxine Pedliham
Publisher Mary-Clare Jerram
DK US
Editors Ann Barton, Jane Perlmutter, Lori Hand
US Publisher Mike Sanders
First American Edition, 2016
Published in the United States by DK Publishing
345 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014
Copyright © 2016 Dorling Kindersley Limited
DK, a Division of Penguin Random House LLC
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All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights
under the copyright reserved above, no part of
this publication may be reproduced, stored in
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written permission of the copyright owner.
Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersley
Limited.
A catalog record for this book is available from
the Library of Congress.
DISCLAIMER See page 256.
ISBN 978-1-4654-5437-9
Printed and bound in China
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THE AUTHORS
Susan Curtis is a qualified
homeopath and naturopath and
is the Director of Natural Health
for Neal's Yard Remedies. She is
the author of numerous books,
including Looking Good and Feeling
Younger and several books on
essential oils, and coauthor of
Natural Healing for Women. Susan
has two adult children and is
passionate about helping people
to live a more natural and healthy
lifestyle.
Pat Thomas is a journalist,
campaigner, and broadcaster. Her
previous books include Cleaning
Yourself to Death, What’s in this Stuff?,
and Skin Deep. Through her work
she has led the way in exposing
harmful chemicals in many everyday
beauty products, as well as promoted
natural alternatives that work. She
is a former editor of The Ecologist
magazine and is a trustee of the
Organic Research Centre and editor
of Neal’s Yard Remedies’ natural
health website, NYR Natural News.
Fran Johnson is a passionate
cosmetic scientist and
aromatherapist, and has been part
of the Product Development team
at Neal’s Yard Remedies since 2006,
formulating therapeutic products for
healing and well-being. She has
written and teaches a number of
Neal’s Yard Remedies' courses
that cover aromatherapy, natural
perfumery, and making cosmetic
products.
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Contents
Introduction 8 Birch 51
Frankincense 52
UNDERSTANDING Ylang-ylang 53
ESSENTIAL OILS 10 Elemi 56
What Are Essential Oils? 12 Caraway 56
How Essential Oils Work 14 Cedarwood 58
How Essential Oils Are Camphor 60
Extracted 18 Cinnamon 60
Choosing Essential Oils 20 Cistus 61
Where Do Oils Come From? 22 Lime 64
Neroli 64
USING ESSENTIAL OILS 24 Petitgrain 65
How Essential Oils Bergamot 66
Enter the Body 26 Lemon 67
Applying Essential Oils 28 Grapefruit 68
Storing Essential Oils 34 Mandarin 68
Using Essential Oils Safely 36 Orange 70
Myrrh 73
A–Z OF ESSENTIAL OILS 38 Coriander 74
Mimosa 40 Cumin 76
Yarrow 41 Cypress 77
Buchu 42 Lemongrass 78
Fragonia 42 Palmarosa 78
Lemon Verbena 44 Citronella 79
Galangal 46 Carrot seed 80
Dill 46 Cardamom 82
Angelica 48 Eucalyptus 83
Rosewood 49 Fennel 84
Tarragon 50 Wintergreen 85
Mugwort 50 Helichrysum 86
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Star Anise 88 Valerian 139
Jasmine 89 Vanilla 140
Juniper 92 Vetiver 141
Bay Laurel 92 Violet 142
Lavender 93 Plai 144
Manuka 96 Ginger 145
Litsea 97
Chamomile 98 BASE OILS 146
Tea Tree 100
Cajeput 102 ESSENTIAL OIL RECIPES 162
Niaouli 103 Blending Essential Oils 164
Lemon Balm 104 Perfect Blends 166
Peppermint 106 Additional Ingredients 168
Nutmeg 108 Aromatherapy Blends 170
Myrtle 109 Home and Body Fragrances 184
Basil 110 Pampering and Beauty 190
Marjoram 110
Oregano 111 HEALING REMEDIES 214
Geranium 112 Digestive problems 216
Parsley Seed 115 Respiratory complaints 220
Allspice 116 Circulatory problems 222
Pine 117 Fluid retention and urinary tract
Black Pepper 118 infections 224
Patchouli 120 Muscle and joint problems/general
Tuberose 121 aches and pains 226
Ravensara, Ravintsara 122 Skin and hair 230
Rose 123 Allergic reactions 236
Rosemary 126 Mind and well-being 237
Sage 129 Women’s health 240
Clary Sage 130 Men’s health 242
Sandalwood 131 First aid 243
Summer Savory 132 Treatment charts 244
Benzoin 134
Clove 134 Glossary 248
Tagetes 135 Index 250
Thyme 136 Resources 256
Fenugreek 138 Acknowledgments 256
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Introduction
Aromatic essential oils have been used for thousands of years as
traditional remedies to enhance health and well-being. The ability of
N
O fragrances to affect mood and atmosphere has long been recognized,
CTI and different cultures have made use of the aromatic plants available
U
D to them for spiritual rituals and personal use. The appeal of essential
O
oils has endured, and today the practice of aromatherapy is well
R
T
N established in the lexicon of natural health.
I
8
Essential Oils Today
The growth of interest in essential oils Neroli essential oil, extracted from the delicate
also coincides with a rise in stress- orange blossom, has an exquisite floral aroma.
The essential oil trade emerged about related conditions associated with
200 years ago for use in the perfumery hectic modern-day living. With their oils and their properties has grown. The
and food industries. In recent years, an ability to soothe body and mind, traditional use of oils in different cultures
increased emphasis on holistic healing essential oils are especially helpful for is being researched in laboratories, and
has led to a resurgence of interest in combatting the effects of chronic stress. clinical trials are being performed to
the traditional use of essential oils for At Neal’s Yard Remedies, we have enhance our understanding of how
health, well-being, and beauty. sold pure and natural essential oils and why oils act as they do.
Pleasurable and versatile, essential since our first store opened in 1981, In this book, we impart some of this
oils can be used as remedies for and have witnessed, and been part knowledge to help you learn how to
ailments, used in cosmetics and of, the growth of interest in essential enjoy oils in your daily beauty and
fragrances, and, increasingly, are used oils, as more and more people look health regimen. With a little knowledge
in the fast-growing trend for diffusing to natural ingredients to improve their and common sense, oils can be used
aromas to enhance living spaces lifestyle and enhance well-being. by everyone. This book will help you
and create a sense of well-being. become confident incorporating
A greater understanding There’s an these wonderful essences into a more
art and a science to using essential oils. natural lifestyle. For serious or chronic
Therapeutic oil blends, scented candles, and
nourishing skin products are just some of the In the past decades, the aromatherapy health concerns, seek medical advice
ways to enjoy aromatic essential oils. industry’s understanding of how to use and see a professional aromatherapist.
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