The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils: The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy

This book is the perfect introduction to essential oils for someone who is serious about using essential oils for medicinal purposes, and especially for those with a basic background in chemistry and biology. Dr. Schnaubelt does a wonderful job of explaining the nuances of using essential oils vs. prescribed phamaceutical preparaptions to treat a variety of conditions. He makes it very clear that essential oil is not a cure-all for all ailments, and presents a very realistic view of what the benefits can be to using various oils.I am a Registered Nurse, and am most interested in the whys of how different treatment modalities work, just as much as I am with the results (provides a solid basis for deciding to initiate, continue, or terminate any given treatment modality, be it aspirin or an essential oil). This book does a very good job of giving me a starting point of where I can start really learning about the phisiological interactions our bodies, down to the cellular level, have with the different compounds found within essential oils. For those who aren't familiar (or just need a refresher from your A&P or BioChem classes), Dr. Schnaubelt provides a brief overview of cellular structure, chemical bonds, molecular polarity, etc. in his writing and diagrams, and explains why these structures and their properties are important in the application of essential oils as a therapeutic modality.If you feel a bit rusty in your biology and chemistry studies, a quick review of basic human biology (cellular structure, protein structure & synthesis, enzyme structure, synthesis, and actions, DNA & RNA synthesis & replication, etc.) and chemistry (remember all of those fun diagrams we had to draw to visualize the component molecules & the associated bonds that make up various compounds? Theeeeyyyyyrrrreeee baaaaaaaack! At least Dr. Schnaubelt makes it more interesting, and there won't be a pop-quiz tomorrow... but don't forget to also read up some of the common molecules and groups found in biological organisms) will greatly enhance your experience with this book. If you don't want to go that route, then simply just look up unfamiliar things when you come across them. Understanding these basics of biology and chemistry will prove to be the foundation from which your knowledge and applied aromatherapy practice will be based on. Think of it as something like knowing the roles for individual positions on a football team before you can become a coach, and start making up play-books of your own.I also find it very refreshing that Dr. Schnaubelt does not completely dismiss Western medicine, as many other "alternative" or "holistic" practitioners seem to do. While he does have an obvious, and understandable, issue with the phamaceutical industry and its' implications for actual human health, he without a doubt recognizes and encourages people to consult with and seek treatment from a professional doctor/NP/PA when it is prudent.Even as my knowledge of this field is expanding, I still find myself referring to this book in my studies. For people that are interested in, or have already made essential oil treatment part of their lives, this book will not likely collect dust on the bookshelf after reading it. Just understand that there IS a strong scientific/technical element to the book, so you may need to reference other sources (like old college science textbooks) to extract the maximum amount of knowledge that Dr. Schnaubelt is sharing in his writings. The extra effort is well worth the payoff: an ability to truly understand the connections and interactions between our bodies and essential oils, which leads to greater competence and confidence in the field of applied aromatherapy.For those that enjoy this book, I highly recommend his other books on essential oils for continuing education on the subject. If I were to classify each book as in an academic progression, I would say that his book "Advanced Aromatherapy" is the intro level book, this book is the intermediate book, and "Medical Aromatherapy" is the intermediate-advanced level book.Special note: While the author has business connections with the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy, as well as the associated product line of Original Swiss Aromatics, he does NOT make either the focus of any of his books. They may be mentioned in passing a few times in the text of each book, but these books are definitely NOT large advertisements for a particular brand of oil or a paticular school. I encountered this in a few other aromatherapy books, which was a HUGE turn-off for me; I'm not one to pay my own money for advertisements disguised as instructional texts. Dr. Schnaubelt simply stresses the quality and sourcing of oils in the writing, and only mentions specific products sporadically. :)

If you could only see my aromatherapy and herbal book library . . . you'd think I didn't have any other interest in life, nor did I need another "book". Yet, something was missing. Today, when I received "The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils" by Kurt Schnaubelt, I felt my library was complete.There truly is a science behind aromatherapy. Thank You Dr. Schnaubelt! Your expression of life found within each drop of essential oils truly may be an answer to some of life's darkest moments. Your tenderness in approaching the fear of cancer and how essential oils can aid individuals and families through the journey is exceptional. And, may I add, timely. There are many dealing with this tragedy. Some need emotional healing to aid them through their tunnel. Patients desire something to reduce the side effects of prescribed treatments; family members need a reprieve and can be found when one puts a few drops of essential oils on a handkerchief to inhale when their loved ones are taken out of the room for "one more test". I know this experience first-hand and am grateful for the courage that is written in this book on this delicate subject.Adding your book to my library is a personal issue as my niche is Biblical fragrances, and another "journey" within aromatherapy. You call it "diversity"; and perhaps the phrase "there is unity in diversity" will unite us as we share the goal of the uniqueness of the extracted plant droplets of life.My personal journey in aromatherapy began in 1989 and I have many stories since beginning my company, Precious Oils, in 1991. I've authored a number of books and teachings about the plants of the Bible as well as conduct workshops centered on essential oil and herbal products. I call my workshops "show and smell" encounters as I use Biblical stories and plants named in the Bible that promote health and well-being. All I can say, this evening, not only I, but my students, will benefit greatly for your diligence, Kurt Schnaubelt, for writing this soon-to-be cherished classic.Now . . . to make room on my shelf for this book.Cynthia HillsonPrecious Oils Up On The HillAuthor of Esther's Days of Purification and Precious Oils ~ A Study of the Fragrances of the Bible.

Reading this book is like going to class with a really cool teacher , one that knows their subject very well and can impart that complex knowledge to you in a way you can understand and makes it interesting for you to learn about.The Science behind aromatherapy is really interesting and this book is not a boring read . Not only do you learn the science behind why and how the essential oils work to heal , you learn about the differences in the quality of essential oils and are even given an exercise to learn how to be able to tell if an essential oil is a clonal version or a hybrid version.There are guidelines and precautions included and a lot of different recipe's for specific ailments . The footnotes are wonderful and have many leads and references to other authors and specialist on the subject matter for those who want to go further into their research on this subject . The photos throughout are also a colorful and lovely addition, from vast fields of Lavender to the great Shwedogon Paya , a Sunset in Sabah and so many more beautiful photos that grace throughout the pages of this wonderful and informative book.For anyone who is serious and or just curious about Aromatherapy and the use of essential oils for healing and want to know the science behind how they work or learn recipe's for specific ailments buy this book . It is a great investment well worth the time and money.