Valerie Ann Worwood - The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, Revised and Expanded: Over 800 Natural, Nontoxic, and Fragrant Recipes to Create Health, Beauty, and Safe Home and Work Environments

The Complete Book
of Essential Oils and
Aromatherapy

Also by Valerie Ann Worwood

The Fragrant Mind:

Aromatherapy for Personality, Mind, Mood, and Emotion

Aromatherapy for the Soul:

Healing the Spirit with Fragrance and Essential Oils

Essential Aromatherapy:

A Pocket Guide to Essential Oils and Aromatherapy

The Endometriosis Natural Treatment Program:

A Complete Self-Help Plan for Improving Health and Well-Being

Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child:

More Than 300 Natural, Nontoxic, and Fragrant Essential Oil Blends

Scents and Scentuality:

Aromatherapy and Essential Oils for Romance, Love, and Sex

Aromatherapy for the Beauty Therapist

Copyright 1991, 2016 by Valerie Ann Worwood

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, or other without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

First published in the United Kingdom by Macmillan London Limited, 1990. First published in the United States by New World Library, 1991.

Text design and typography by Tona Pearce Myers and Megan Colman

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Worwood, Valerie Ann, [date] author.

Title: The complete book of essential oils and aromatherapy : over 800 natural, nontoxic, and fragrant recipes to create health, beauty, and safe home and work environments / Valerie Ann Worwood.

Description: Revised and updated [edition]. | Novato, California : New World Library, [2016] | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016031708 | ISBN 9781577311393 (paperback) | ISBN 9781608684267 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Aromatherapy. | BISAC: HEALTH & FITNESS / Aromatherapy. | HEALTH & FITNESS / Reference. | REFERENCE / Handbooks & Manuals. | BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / Healing / General.

Classification: LCC RM666.A68 W67 2016 | DDC 615.3/219--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016031708

First printing of revised edition, November 2016

ISBN 978-1-57731-139-3

Ebook ISBN 978-1-60868-426-7

Printed in Canada

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

For my mum Vera Marion Howdown Worwood who taught me the true value of unconditional love, and for my daughter Emma, who uplifts my heart.

The material in this book is intended for education and general interest and is not intended or implied to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed medical practitioner. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information, no expressed or implied guarantee as to the effects of the suggestions can be given nor should be taken either now or in the future. Information may change over time as further research and clinical data become available. Any application of information set forth in this book is at the readers sole discretion and risk and is beyond the authors and publishers control. The author and publisher assume no responsibility for any action taken and disclaim any liability for damages arising directly or indirectly either now or in the future.

Contents

B otanicals have always been part of my life. As a young child I tended to my own patch of earth in my grandfathers garden, and learned about the symbiotic relationships between plants by getting stung by stinging nettles and finding dock leaves to soothe the sting. I made perfumes out of fragranced petals and extracted juice from wild berries for my toys tea parties. My grandfather taught me the names of flowers and weeds, while my mother and grandmother taught me how to use herbs for medicine and cooking. My mother made her own remedies and used tried-and-tested herbals before any other medication. When my siblings and I were not feeling well, wed be given clove oil for toothache, peppermint oil for stomachache, and a sugar cube with a little eucalyptus oil on it for a chesty cough. The pharmacy also supplied something called horse oil, a blend of wintergreen and birch oils, which Mum rubbed on our legs when we had growing pains. The aroma of essential oils permeated my childhood, along with the smell of delicious food made from fresh vegetables plucked from the garden.

When I worked in Europe and discovered the great healing powers of essential oils, I knew they would form my career path. As the number of my clients grew, so too did their questions and curiosity. I was writing down advice and instructions for them because information about how to use essential oils was simply not otherwise available. My mother noticed that I always seemed to be giving advice and suggested I write a book. That was over twenty-five years ago.

Throughout my career, and to the present day, Ive been a hands-on practitioner. Although I lecture and research, what gives me the energy to continue is observing the interaction between essential oils and patients, and watching each individuals healing journey. Thats the experience that lies at the root of this book, which is a synthesis of experience, practical research, and facts gained from original sources. Invitations to international conferences have given the opportunity to present my work and discuss developments with researchers in both the commercial and academic fields. Traveling as a consultant has offered the chance to visit essential oil producers both large and small. And giving workshops has enabled me to pass on the information gained to a new generation of essential oil therapists.

Weve all come a long way, with essential oils now being used in general, maternity, and oncology hospital wards and in care homes, and being studied in research departments of universities. Aromatherapy has become a worldwide movement.

Ive been humbled by the positive responses Ive received to my books over the years and surprised at how many travelers have carried them in backpacks, along with a basic care kit of oils. Their stories describing how the essential oils have saved many a day have been encouraging. One nurse told me that my book, along with a few essential oils and a small number of medications, was the only help she had when working at a remote location in South Africa. Yet, with this limited resource, shed managed to solve all manner of health issues and been able to fulfill her role.

Its wonderful to be asked to sign a book thats so dog-eared its falling to pieces, because it shows that the information in it has been well used. What makes the work worthwhile is to hear from mums and dads about how much essential oils have helped their families, or from a senior now using essential oils in his garden instead of insecticides, or the woman whose aches are relieved enough to allow her to dance a little again. I shall be eternally grateful that Ive been able to spread the word about the amazing healing properties of essential oils, and their agent in the world aromatherapy.