ESSENTIAL OILS US_001_Half_title.indd 1 01/06/2016 16:35 ESSENTIAL OILS US_002-003_Title.indd 2 01/06/2016 16:35 ESSENTIAL OILS US_002-003_Title.indd 3 01/06/2016 16:35 Editor Claire Cross Senior Designer Collette Sadler Design and Art Direction Emma Forge and Tom Forge Managing Editor Angela Wilkes Managing Art Editor Marianne Markham Jacket Designer Harriet Yeomans Senior Jacket Creative Nicola Powling Senior Producer, Pre-Production Tony Phipps Art Director Maxine Pedliham Publisher Mary-Clare Jerram DK US Editors Ann Barton, Jane Perlmutter, Lori Hand US Publisher Mike Sanders First American Edition, 2016 Published in the United States by DK Publishing 345 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014 Copyright © 2016 Dorling Kindersley Limited DK, a Division of Penguin Random House LLC 16 17 18 19 20 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 001—296393—Oct/2016 All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under the copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersley Limited. A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress. DISCLAIMER See page 256. ISBN 978-1-4654-5437-9 Printed and bound in China All images © Dorling Kindersley Limited A WORLD OF IDEAS: SEE ALL THERE IS TO KNOW For further information see: www.dkimages.com US_004-007_Contents.indd 4 01/06/2016 16:35 THE AUTHORS Susan Curtis is a qualified homeopath and naturopath and is the Director of Natural Health for Neal's Yard Remedies. She is the author of numerous books, including Looking Good and Feeling Younger and several books on essential oils, and coauthor of Natural Healing for Women. Susan has two adult children and is passionate about helping people to live a more natural and healthy lifestyle. Pat Thomas is a journalist, campaigner, and broadcaster. Her previous books include Cleaning Yourself to Death, What’s in this Stuff?, and Skin Deep. Through her work she has led the way in exposing harmful chemicals in many everyday beauty products, as well as promoted natural alternatives that work. She is a former editor of The Ecologist magazine and is a trustee of the Organic Research Centre and editor of Neal’s Yard Remedies’ natural health website, NYR Natural News. Fran Johnson is a passionate cosmetic scientist and aromatherapist, and has been part of the Product Development team at Neal’s Yard Remedies since 2006, formulating therapeutic products for healing and well-being. She has written and teaches a number of Neal’s Yard Remedies' courses that cover aromatherapy, natural perfumery, and making cosmetic products. US_004-007_Contents.indd 5 16/06/2016 11:27 Contents Introduction 8 Birch 51 Frankincense 52 UNDERSTANDING Ylang-ylang 53 ESSENTIAL OILS 10 Elemi 56 What Are Essential Oils? 12 Caraway 56 How Essential Oils Work 14 Cedarwood 58 How Essential Oils Are Camphor 60 Extracted 18 Cinnamon 60 Choosing Essential Oils 20 Cistus 61 Where Do Oils Come From? 22 Lime 64 Neroli 64 USING ESSENTIAL OILS 24 Petitgrain 65 How Essential Oils Bergamot 66 Enter the Body 26 Lemon 67 Applying Essential Oils 28 Grapefruit 68 Storing Essential Oils 34 Mandarin 68 Using Essential Oils Safely 36 Orange 70 Myrrh 73 A–Z OF ESSENTIAL OILS 38 Coriander 74 Mimosa 40 Cumin 76 Yarrow 41 Cypress 77 Buchu 42 Lemongrass 78 Fragonia 42 Palmarosa 78 Lemon Verbena 44 Citronella 79 Galangal 46 Carrot seed 80 Dill 46 Cardamom 82 Angelica 48 Eucalyptus 83 Rosewood 49 Fennel 84 Tarragon 50 Wintergreen 85 Mugwort 50 Helichrysum 86 US_004-007_Contents.indd 6 01/06/2016 16:35 Star Anise 88 Valerian 139 Jasmine 89 Vanilla 140 Juniper 92 Vetiver 141 Bay Laurel 92 Violet 142 Lavender 93 Plai 144 Manuka 96 Ginger 145 Litsea 97 Chamomile 98 BASE OILS 146 Tea Tree 100 Cajeput 102 ESSENTIAL OIL RECIPES 162 Niaouli 103 Blending Essential Oils 164 Lemon Balm 104 Perfect Blends 166 Peppermint 106 Additional Ingredients 168 Nutmeg 108 Aromatherapy Blends 170 Myrtle 109 Home and Body Fragrances 184 Basil 110 Pampering and Beauty 190 Marjoram 110 Oregano 111 HEALING REMEDIES 214 Geranium 112 Digestive problems 216 Parsley Seed 115 Respiratory complaints 220 Allspice 116 Circulatory problems 222 Pine 117 Fluid retention and urinary tract Black Pepper 118 infections 224 Patchouli 120 Muscle and joint problems/general Tuberose 121 aches and pains 226 Ravensara, Ravintsara 122 Skin and hair 230 Rose 123 Allergic reactions 236 Rosemary 126 Mind and well-being 237 Sage 129 Women’s health 240 Clary Sage 130 Men’s health 242 Sandalwood 131 First aid 243 Summer Savory 132 Treatment charts 244 Benzoin 134 Clove 134 Glossary 248 Tagetes 135 Index 250 Thyme 136 Resources 256 Fenugreek 138 Acknowledgments 256 US_004-007_Contents.indd 7 01/06/2016 16:35 Introduction Aromatic essential oils have been used for thousands of years as traditional remedies to enhance health and well-being. The ability of N O fragrances to affect mood and atmosphere has long been recognized, CTI and different cultures have made use of the aromatic plants available U D to them for spiritual rituals and personal use. The appeal of essential O oils has endured, and today the practice of aromatherapy is well R T N established in the lexicon of natural health. I 8 Essential Oils Today The growth of interest in essential oils Neroli essential oil, extracted from the delicate also coincides with a rise in stress- orange blossom, has an exquisite floral aroma. The essential oil trade emerged about related conditions associated with 200 years ago for use in the perfumery hectic modern-day living. With their oils and their properties has grown. The and food industries. In recent years, an ability to soothe body and mind, traditional use of oils in different cultures increased emphasis on holistic healing essential oils are especially helpful for is being researched in laboratories, and has led to a resurgence of interest in combatting the effects of chronic stress. clinical trials are being performed to the traditional use of essential oils for At Neal’s Yard Remedies, we have enhance our understanding of how health, well-being, and beauty. sold pure and natural essential oils and why oils act as they do. Pleasurable and versatile, essential since our first store opened in 1981, In this book, we impart some of this oils can be used as remedies for and have witnessed, and been part knowledge to help you learn how to ailments, used in cosmetics and of, the growth of interest in essential enjoy oils in your daily beauty and fragrances, and, increasingly, are used oils, as more and more people look health regimen. With a little knowledge in the fast-growing trend for diffusing to natural ingredients to improve their and common sense, oils can be used aromas to enhance living spaces lifestyle and enhance well-being. by everyone. This book will help you and create a sense of well-being. become confident incorporating A greater understanding There’s an these wonderful essences into a more art and a science to using essential oils. natural lifestyle. For serious or chronic Therapeutic oil blends, scented candles, and nourishing skin products are just some of the In the past decades, the aromatherapy health concerns, seek medical advice ways to enjoy aromatic essential oils. industry’s understanding of how to use and see a professional aromatherapist. US_008-009_Intro.indd 8 16/06/2016 11:27