The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils

November 1, 2011

Plants have evolved a sophisticated and complex call-and-response to their locale using scent to encourage pollinators and repel would-be predators. Schnaubelt (founder & scientific director, Pacific Inst. of Aromatherapy; Medical Aromatherapy) presents scientific reasoning for how these mechanisms are harnessed to fight viruses, bacteria, and fungi through the efficacious use of essential oils. Because essential oils exhibit a broad spectrum of physiological activity, they block these simple but nasty pathogens from developing the immunities often associated with standard antibiotics. With this point, Schnaubelt exposes the limitations of conventional pharmacological testing, which lends itself to misguided assumptions about the use and safety (or danger) of essentials oils, which he promptly corrects. Schnaubelt covers issues of authenticity and adulteration; the adjunct use of essential oils in the treatment of major diseases such as cancer, hepatitis, and MRSA infections; and application to traditional Chinese medicine. VERDICT Authoritatively written, this title will easily find an audience among herbalists, massage therapists, home-health advocates, complementary and alternative clinicians, and their patients. Conventional medical practitioners and pharmacists might also find it a worthy, informative read.--Janet Tapper, Univ. of Western States Lib., Portland, OR

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