BOOK R

AROMATHERAPY A COMPLETE GUIDE TO

THE HEALING ART KATHI KEVILLE & MINDYGREEN PUBLISHED BY

THE CROSSING PRESS $14.95 fill.99

156 PAGES PAPERBACK

T he idea of yet another book in--the growing archives of introductory

aromatherapy texts did not fill me with great relish. It was therefore a delight to discover one of the most intelligible, resoukelul, and authoritative texts that I have come across in this field to date.

Co-authors Kathi Keville and Mindy Green, both practitioners of herbal and plant medicine for over twenty years, blend their experience with well researched material to present aromathcrapy ‘Theory’; ‘Therapy’; and ‘Alchemy’.

The essence of the text is undoubtedly familiar, however this book does not take the liberty of expressing knowledge as fact. Instead, it presents a clear and succinct explanation of the therapeutic applications, and basic alchemy of essential oils, the why’s and

EVIEW RUTH SMITH

LOUISE PIERCE

JENNIE HARDING

the wherefore’s, providing the reader with an informed knowledge. This adds much strength to the book.

I was particularly impressed with the practical instruction given. It includes recipes and guidelines on how to make your own body powders, pessaries, lip balm, deodorants, base creams and lotions, and looks at the use of colourings, preservatives and emulsifiers (all natural). The value and purpose of each ingredient is carefully explained and comparisons made with cemmcrcially available products. All safety considerations are both accurate and clear.

The text is presented very simply, printed in black and white, without diagrams, illustrations or photographs. This in no way detracts from the value or accessibility of it’s content.

I can thoroughly recommend this book for layperson, student, and practitioner alike.

RS

THE WORLD OF AROMATHERAPY

EDITED BY JEANNE ROSE & SUSAN EARLE

PUBLISHEDBY FROG LTD

$16.95 E13.99 350 PAGES PAPERBACK

T he World of Aromatherapy is an anthology of aromatic history, ideas,

concepts and case histories. IL is divided into seven sections: Background; Self care; A scentual mix; The oils; Case studies; Business 8c research and A student’s project. Each chapter is written

by a different person, some of whom have been published before.

S

There is scant consistency in either the quality of writing or subject matter. For instance, Leila Castle’s ‘Goddess traditions and aromatherapy’ is so densely written that I suspect a novice to the subject would drown in it. It takes her over 50 words to describe how she mixes her aromatic blends ‘to actually create a change in consciousness for the user that matches and elicits the quality of the sacred feminine.’ Yet Patricia Davis, in the

next chapter, conveys succinctly the relationship between energy and crystals: ‘crystals are able to direct energy where it is needed, and this is no “airy Fairy” idea but scientific fact.’

The Self-care section takes a pragmatic approach to the oils. Among the helpful tips is the following suggestion locating the perineum for pre-labor perineal massage: ‘Dye describes the clitoris at 12 o’clock and the massage work taking place between four and eight o’clock.’ This strikes me as exposing the inherent problem of the book’s subject. On the one hand it is a practical, and effective tool for maintaining health and well-being, but