The Practice of Aromatherapy: Classic Compendium of Plant Medicines and Their Healing Properties

"This is a very different approach from that which most of us are used to in this country. Coming from the French tradition, where the oils are prescribed internally rather than in application through massage, Dr Jean Valnet provides a lot of scientific data, particularly validating the oils as antimicrobials. Much of the information which we assume in this country about the properties and actions of the oils have been taken from Valnet's work, and it is probably fair to say that some of these assumptions don't really translate, as the results from internal prescription at high levels must be very different from dermal application at low levels. This is a valuable read however from the point of view of providing some good evidence of the physiological actions of the oils. The tradition which has developed in this country has tended to focus a lot on the psychospiritual effects of the oils. The early French tradition was very much body based and what is interesting about this book is that it does give some good ammunition to counter charges that aromatherapy is only something which affects 'mood' through pretty smells!

This is not a book for those wishing to use the oils on themselves and their families, but would certainly be of great interest to professionals, particularly those working alongside primary healthcare practitioners"
~ Written on 2001-08-04