The Art of Aromatherapy: The Healing and Beautifying Properties of the Essential Oils of Flowers and Herbs

"Robert Tisserand published this in 1977. It was the first book written directly in the English language on aromatherapy - and the explosion of aromatherapy into complementary medicine really dates from this book. Up till that time, the few books on the subject reflected 'the French approach' - internal prescription of the oils by phytotherapists (medically trained) such as Jean Valnet. These books really explained a 'scientific', laboratory analysis of specific antimocrobial effects of specific essential oils. They were not handbooks introducing the oils to a wider audience, or designed to enable people to take their health and well-being into their own hands, using the oils.

Even Marguerite Maury's book, translated into English as 'The Secret of Life and Youth' and available in '64 was just that - secretive. Fascinating it may be, but it was never designed to empower the layman or woman into using the oils, or even to spur them into wanting to learn how to use the oils professionally. Secret information, kept secret for those in the know.

So, when this book came out in 1977 it literally exploded a therapy into being.

Yes, of course it has its shortcomings, for example, the number of oils covered is slight, when every superficial and coffee table book covers more oils - but this book was written nearly 30 years ago, and the number of oils available, and the number of suppliers, were also few in number.

Having recently re-read this book, I still find it has the possibility to excite, inform and give much food for thought - far more so than many of the 'same old, same old' books which came after - and often lifted their inspiration from Robert's truly original book.

Even though he has moved very far away from an interest in the more 'energetic' aspects of the oils, into a preoccupation with scientific validation (closer to Valnet now!) the cautiousness of the scientist is there in bud, as some of the 'wilder' claims of aromatherapy (erroneously copied from anecdotal and traditional whole herb use) are stated as 'may have effects on'. There is an element of coolness here, which some books written later in aromatherapy history ignore, and Robert's 'may' gets ignored and bold and often silly claims are made as 'gospel'

I am particularly impressed at the clarity of the writing, and its brevity (better than this over long and waffling review!) He explains history, background, reasons for efficacy etc clearly, simply and beautifully. There is passion and poetry in his writing - but these do not obscure information.

Unlike many of the books I bought by the yard when I was starting out as a practitioner, and have long outgrown, this one still has the power to instruct, inspire and deepen my understanding."
~ Written on 2006-02-26

"Its only shortcoming is that it doesn't contain comment on many of the other oils used by aromatherapists, just those for home use."
~ Written on 2001-02-06