Provides instruction on making essential oils in small quantities from indigenous and exotic plants, and discusses how to make chemical-free shower gels, creams, and other products with these oils.

Egyptian hieroglyphs, Chinese scrolls, and Ayurvedic literature record physicians administering aromatic oils to their patients. Today society looks to science to document health choices and the oils do not disappoint. The growing body of evidence of their efficacy for more than just scenting a room underscores the need for production standards, quality control parameters for raw materials and finished products, and well-defined Good Manufacturing Practices. Edited by two renowned experts, the Handbook of Essential Oils covers all aspects of essential oils from chemistry, pharmacology, and biological activity, to production and trade, to uses and regulation. Bringing together significant research and market profiles, this comprehensive handbook provides a much-needed compilation of information related to the development, use, and marketing of essential oils, including their chemistry and biochemistry. A select group of authoritative experts explores the historical, biological, regulatory, and microbial aspects. This reference also covers sources, production, analysis, storage, and transport of oils as well as aromatherapy, pharmacology, toxicology, and metabolism. It includes discussions of biological activity testing, results of antimicrobial and antioxidant tests, and penetration-enhancing activities useful in drug delivery. New information on essential oils may lead to an increased understanding of their multidimensional uses and better, more ecologically friendly production methods. Reflecting the immense developments in scientific knowledge available on essential oils, this book brings multidisciplinary coverage of essential oils into one all-inclusive resource.

This encyclopedic book contains, in practical and easy-to-understand form, every conceivable use for essential oils and aromatherapy in everyday life. The author, a practicing aromatherapist for more than twenty years, unlocks the power of essential oils in more than 600 original recipes, most needing only a few essential oils. Unlike over-the-counter products, the recipes you make yourself contain no harmful preservatives. Most basic needs can be covered with just ten essential oils.

Extracting, Distilling, and Enjoying Plant Essences & Hydrosols: With their pleasing scents and uses in natural remedies, essential oils are more in demand now than ever. Unfortunately, modern production methods and unscrupulous labeling practices make it extremely difficult for consumers to know whether an oil is genuine or artificial, and increasingly the only way to be certain that your essential oils are free from chemical additives is to make them yourself.Producing your own essential oils and hydrosols in small quantities is easier than you might think, especially with the guidance of Austrian master distillers Helge Schmickl and Bettina Malle. Translated from its original German, The Essential Oil Maker's Handbook has been revised and updated to include information on hydrosols, the aromatic water once considered a mere by-product but now recognized as a valuable substance in itself. Learn how to make your own shower gels and creams using essential oils that you created yourself out of materials from your garden and pantry, without chemical additives.The authors provide guidance, based on data from their own experiences, on the harvesting, processing, and use of 130 indigenous and exotic plants as well as the necessary equipment for oil extraction. This guide covers in detail:Effective proceduresNecessary equipmentSuitable plantsPractical uses for your oilsTips and tricksIncluding about 40 base recipes for personal care products - from bathing additives to facial and body care to perfume - this book provides a solid foundation for both beginners and professionals. This detailed and authoritative reference is indispensable in appreciating the production and wide range of applications of essential oils.

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.

The second edition of this book is virtually a new book. It is the only comprehensive text on the safety of essential oils and the first review of essential oil/drug interactions and provides detailed essential oil constituent data not found in any other text. Much of the existing text has been re-written, and 80% of the text is completely new. There are 400 comprehensive essential oil profiles and almost 4000 references. There are new chapters on the respiratory system, the cardivascular system, the urinary system, the digestive system and the nervous system. For each essential oil there is a full breakdown of constituents, and a clear categorization of hazards and risks, with recommended maximum doses and concentrations. There are also 206 Constituent Profiles. There is considerable discussion of carcinogens, the human relevance of some of the animal data, the validity of treating an essential oil as if it was a single chemical, and the arbitary nature of uncertainty factors. There is a critque of current regulations. The only comprehensive text on the safety of essential oils The first review of essential oil/drug interactions Detailed essential oil constituent data not found in any other text Essential oil safety guidelines 400 essential oil profiles Five new chapters 305 new essential oil profiles, including Cedarwood, Clary sage, Lavender, Rose, Sandalwood, Tea tree 79 new constituent profiles Five new chapters: the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system, the urinary system, the digestive system, the nervous system. Significantly expanded text

Whether through massage, a hot aromatherapy bath or a cooling compress, essential oils can bring life-enhancing benefits to everyone. In this stunning addition to the Essential Handbook series we learn how to incorporate them into our lives. The first section of The Essential Oils Handbook describes how the oils are extracted from plants, evocatively explains how they have been used traditionally in different cultures, and guides the reader in the best ways to integrate them safely and effectively into their daily routine. This is followed by an invaluable directory of 100 oils, each complemented by a full-color photograph of the plant from which the oil is extracted. Every information-packed entry offers examples of how you can use the oil to benefit both mind and body, whether massaging sore muscles with rosemary oil or adding ylang ylang oil to a bath to calm your mind. For each oil, key points are highlighted to provide essential information and fascinating facts at a glance. Authoritative yet accessible, this book will delight anyone who wants to use oils to enhance their well-being, or simply takes great pleasure in these complex, alluring fragrances.