Medical Aromatherapy: Healing with Essential Oils (Paperback)
July 23, 2009 by Cheryl
Filed under Aromatherapy Book Reviews
A leading scientist shows readers how and why aromatherapy is emerging as a popular mind/body medicine. Contains an overview of aromatherapy, recent findings on the effect of essential oils on the immune system, and a description of common treatments. 10 charts. 10 tables.
About the Author
Kurt Schnaubelt earned his Ph.D. in Germany from Technical University of Munich. A leader in aromatherapy in the United States since 1983, he is the author of Advanced Aromatherapy, a textbo (more…)
This book is a thorough in-depth look at essential oils from a scientific viewpoint and with suggestions for their medical use. Thankfully, this author does not take a mainstream approach. For example, everyone familiar with essential oils has heard the constant warning “never take essential oils internally.” This author not only debunks that popular advice, but suggests specific ways of taking essential oils internally for various medical conditions. Also, what is especially appealing about this author’s approach is that he has applied his extensive research on plants into a very plausible explanation as to why essential oils have the healing properties they have. So this book tells us not only the “how”, but the “why” as well. This book is definitely for the layman, so don’t be discouraged by all the difficult sounding chemical names for the essential oil compounds, you won’t need a PHD in organic chemistry in order to get an understanding of what they do for you.
The only drawback to this book, and the reason I gave it only 4 stars, is that the author devoted far too much print to his monologue of socialist ideology. He blames capitalism for all the woes of modern healthcare. Yet he says nothing about the fact that capitalism has done a pretty good job of making essential oils available to the general public. Otherwise, socialist nations like Cuba might be havens for essential oil procurement, which is of course a ludicrous notion.
This distinguished organic chemist shares his in-depth knowledge of the particular current value of essential oils, for health on all levels. In an era when Western allopathic medicine has less and less appeal, this self-care method is a potent alternative, with roots going back to ancient times. Dr. Schaubelt has a gift for presenting in-depth facts and information in a way that is intriguing and easy to assimilate.
In the flood of “coffee table” aromatherapy books currently available, this is a much needed and welcome source for those truly interested in taking responsiblity for their own health.
I’ve been using essential oils since the mid 60’s, before the word “aromatherapy” was known by most people in this country. I’ve read just about every book I’ve been able to find on the subject, and no where else have I found an author that so completely makes the connection between aromatherapy and medicine. Dr. Schnaubelt explains what the constituents of essential oils are, what they do medically, how the different combinations found in essential oils form different synergies, and what ailments these synergies treat best. A must for anyone who wants to learn how to treat common ailments naturally, without drugs.
2.0 out of 5 stars
Stick to the subject!!!
The majority of this book does not focus on aromatherapy. Some history is discussed, and other than that, most of the book is spent discussing the problems with the current…
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Reference
This book was recommended to me by one of my students in our essential oils classes. The organization of the material and the information are excellent for someone searching for…
5.0 out of 5 stars
Teaches you so much
This book is not for the folks who want to just make Blends.
Its for people who want to know the science behind the oils. What groups each oil belongs in.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Scientific Aromatherapy
This book continues from where a lot of books on aromatherapy left out. For those of us who are curious about how essential oils actually work, this book provides all the…
2.0 out of 5 stars
Medical Aromatherapy
Compared to innumerable other excellent books on the subject aromatherapy, Schnaubelt’s book comes up distinctly short on helpful data.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Does not address actual uses for essential oils
The book concentrates mainly on the chemical breakdown of various common essential oils, and does not go into any kind of depth on the use of oils.
2.0 out of 5 stars
Medical Aromatherapy: Healing with Essential Oils
This book, while loaded with plenty of technical info, LACKS plain, straightforward healing. A FEW HOURS searching ON-LINE WILL GET YOU THE SAME MEDICAL INFO, WITHOUT…
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solid information
It is so good to know that the author of this book is a chemist, and has scientific understanding of essential oils and their properties, as well as biological knowledge.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Scent of Fresh Air in Aromatherapy books!
Kurt Schnaubelt brings us to a new understanding of our relationship with aromatic plants. From ancient times to the present, he takes us on a journey of awareness solidly…