Fragrance and Wellbeing: An Exploration of Plant Aromatics and Their Influences on the Psyche

This revised and expanded handbook is an in-depth guide to essential oils, providing a research-based overview of the field of aromatherapy. It looks at the essential oils used in contemporary aromatherapy practice, with an emphasis on the underlying philosophical approaches and therapeutic applications. The book begins with an explanation of the theoretical history of aromatherapy in Greek, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. It then gives a detailed account of how essential oils are created, how and where aromatherapy is used, the underlying pharmacology, and the current research. The characteristics of over 100 essential oils, absolutes and resinoids are explored, including botanical and chemical information, usage and combinations. This will be an indispensable text for all students and practitioners of aromatherapy and related disciplines, as well as anyone interested in the use of essential oils for health and well-being.

For thousands of years fragrance has been used, across many varied cultures, for altering mental and emotional states, and as part of spiritual practice. This book explores the impact of fragrance on the psyche from biological, anthropological, perfumery and aromatherapy viewpoints.

Beginning with an exploration of our olfactory system and a discussion of the language of odour, the book examines the ways in which fragrance can influence our perceptions and experiences. It introduces us to a broad range of fragrance types – woody, resinous, spicy, herbaceous, agrestic, floral and citrus, as well as the attars that form part of Unani Tibb medicine. Traditional and contemporary uses and the mood-enhancing properties of fragrance types are presented. The book then provides an overview of the theoretical and philosophical frameworks that have been used to analyse how and why we choose fragrance. Finally readers are given guidance on how to cultivate their olfactory palate, which reveals a new dimension in the use of fragrance to enhance wellbeing.

This book offers a wealth of knowledge on plant aromatics and the powerful influence of fragrance on wellbeing. It will be of particular interest to aromatherapists, perfumers, psychotherapists, ethnobotanists and anthropologists.

Essential Oils: A Handbook for Aromatherapy Practice 5 Contents 10 Preface 12 Part I Aromatherapy: Philosophical and Theoretical Perspectives 14 CHAPTER 1 From Historical Origins to the Present Day: The Philosophies of the Pioneers and Influential Thinkers 15 CHAPTER 2 Theoretical Perspectives 27 Part II Approaches to Creating Essential Oil Synergy 76 CHAPTER 3 Synergy and Antagonism 77 CHAPTER 4 Maury’s Individual Prescription and its Derivatives 80 CHAPTER 5 Functional Group Influence and the Molecular Approach 80 CHAPTER 6 Psychosensory Approaches 92 Part III The Essential Oils, Absolutes and Resinoids of Aromatherapy 114 CHAPTER 7 Botanical Principles in Aromatherapy 115 CHAPTER 8 Essential Oils of the Angiospermae 144 CHAPTER 9 Essential Oils of the Gymnospermae 235 CHAPTER 10 Absolutes and Resinoids in Aromatherapy 245 Glossary 259 Appendix A Significant Chemical Constituents in Essential Oils 265 Appendix B Essential Oil Constituents: Odour and Therapeutic Potential 274 Appendix C Prescribing Essential Oils Using the Molecular Approach 278 Appendix D Carrier Oils Used in Aromatherapy 286 Appendix E Essential Oils, Absolutes and Resinoids in Aromatherapy: Indications and Actions 289 References 296 Further Reading 308 Essential Oils Index 309 Subject Index 314 Author Index 319 For thousands of years fragrance has been used, across many varied cultures, for altering mental and emotional states, and as part of spiritual practice. This book explores the impact of fragrance on the psyche from biological, anthropological, perfumery and aromatherapy viewpoints. Beginning with an exploration of our olfactory system and a discussion of the language of odour, the book examines the ways in which fragrance can influence our perceptions and experiences. It introduces us to a broad range of fragrance types - woody, resinous, spicy, herbaceous, agrestic, floral and citrus, as well as the attars that form part of Unani Tibb medicine. Traditional and contemporary uses and the mood-enhancing properties of fragrance types are presented. The book then provides an overview of the theoretical and philosophical frameworks that have been used to analyse how and why we choose fragrance. Finally readers are given guidance on how to cultivate their olfactory palate, which reveals a new dimension in the use of fragrance to enhance wellbeing. This book offers a wealth of knowledge on plant aromatics and the powerful influence of fragrance on wellbeing. It will be of particular interest to aromatherapists, perfumers, psychotherapists, ethnobotanists and anthropologists. Content: Fragrance and Wellbeing: Plant Aromatics and Their Influence on the Psyche Preface Introduction Part I Scent: A Pan-Dimensional Perspective 1 The Fallen Angel 2 Smell and the Psyche 3 Per Fumum 4 Perfume: The Transcendence of the Sweet Life 5 The Psychology and Sociology of Fragrance Part II A Natural Palette of Aromatics 6 The Language of Fragrance 7 Woody, Resinous, Balsamic and Coniferous Scents 8 Spices 9 Herbaceous, Green, Camphoraceous, Cineolic and Agrestic Scented Botanicals 10 Flowers 11 Citrus, Lemon-Scented Botanicals and Fruity Fragrances. 12 Attars and the Role of Fragrance in Unani Tibb MedicineIn Conclusion 13 Cultivating the Olfactory Palate Glossary APPENDIX A: Classification of Fragrance APPENDIX B: Ambergris APPENDIX C: Fragrance and the Four Elements APPENDIX D: Developing Sensory Appreciation of Plant Aromatics, Essential Oils, Absolutes and Fragrances References Further Reading Fragrance Index Subject Index Author Index. Revised and significantly expanded, the new edition of this handbook provides full information on the use of essential oils in the field of contemporary aromatherapy, based on the research evidence behind their therapeutic applications. The author provides the historical and cultural context for our understanding of aromatherapy, with an overview of its relationships with Greek, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. She gives a detailed account of how essential oils are created, how and where aromatherapy is used, the underlying pharmacology, and the current research. The characteristics of over 100 essential oils, absolutes and resinoids are provided in detail, including botanical and chemical information, usage and combinations. This will be an indispensable text for all students and practitioners of aromatherapy and related disciplines, as well as anyone interested in the use of essential oils for health and well-being. "Completely revised and significantly expanded, the new edition of this handbook provides full information on the use of essential oils in the field of contemporary aromatherapy, based on the research evidence behind their therapeutic applications. It explains the historial and cultural context for our understanding of aromatherapy and offers a detailed account of how essential oils are created, how and where aromatherapy is used, the underlying pharmacology, and the current research. The characteristics of over 100 essential oils, absolutes and resinoids are provided in detail, including botanical and chemical information, usage and combinations."-- Back cover For thousands of years fragrance has been used for altering emotional states and as part of spiritual practice. This book explores the impact of fragrance on the psyche from anthropological, perfumery and aromatherapy viewpoints and introduces a range of fragrance families - woody, resinous, spicy, herbaceous, agrestic, floral, citrus and attars.