The Fragrant Pharmacy

I bought this book because I have recently discovered aromatherapy. At first I had thought that aromatherapy was sort of a silly thing that didn't really work, but as I began to play about with oils I realised that there was a lot of potential for using them to enhance my life. For instance, as a student I have to spend a lot of time in libraries reading, which does tend to make me a little sleepy! I realised that keeping basil oil in my pocket keeps me awake and focused. When I realised they worked this well I was keen to find out more and sought a book a bit like a dictionary but with a directory of uses for each oil, including inspiration for recipes.Well this book certainly delivers.There are hundreds of pages listing various ailments and the different combinations of oils that can be used to help. The author gives advice on how to use specific blends of oils (massage, diffuse etc.) and she also provides alternative oils. This is especially useful if you don't have all the oils. I've got about 20 of the main ones, and find that I can do most things the book suggests.I also like that she has a big list of the main oils at the start of the book, so when purchasing useful oils for my collection, I populated my Amazon basket with these first.Worwood also includes recipes for the kitchen (I never knew you could cook with essential oils!), though of course, check the purity of your oils before ingesting!! At the back of the book are a number of tables setting out oils that are good for various general jobs, like killing bacteria, improving skin etc., and this is great if you want to have a bash at mixing your own recipes. I used the 'bacteria Busters' table to make an essential oils antibacterial spray, which I spray on my desk, phone, linen, door handles frequently. (A cheeky inhale of the mist also helps with clearing a blocked nose!)This book has loads of useful tips and if you are a student like me (or indeed anyone prone to stress, worry, anxiety), there are loads of recipes for helping you to get life back under control. And they WORK. I used a sleeplessness recipe last night and I had a very good sleep! I use the ME concentration recipe when I study (I don't have ME, but I find that the recipe is fantastic for staying alert and focused when put in an ultrasonic diffuser).All in all, this book does everything that you would need. There is even a list of dangerous oils at the back (like nightshade, which was used in the medieval/early modern period--ladies used to drip it in their eyes to make their pupils bigger, but it actually led to blindness!!!). The index can point you to more or less anything you can think of, making this book something to peruse at leisure or flick through like Harry Potter did with the Half Blood Prince's 'Advanced Potion Making'!!

I got this gem of a book for 0.01p and I cannot believe what a bargain it was. The wealth of knowledge and information in this book is quite honestly mind blowing! A friend who is a qualified aromatherapist recommended this to me and I am not disappointed.With sections covering every area of life, the home, your pets, pregnancy, children, home cleaning and much more, I can't think of much the author missed.Fantastic book, and I have followed many of her suggestions to great effect.

Explains characteristics of the essential oils and how to mix these for family babies, children, teenage and handicapped. How to use the oils and blend them for the body for beauty treatments or aches. How to use the oils to freshen up your home or in cooking (although the cooking I am not so keen on). There is also a section for pets, garden, moulds pest control etc. It has it all. I just bought her other book on the fragrant. mind. Valerie Ann Worwood is amazing and a well of information. Enjoy!

If you have an interest in Essential oils / Aromatherapy this is certainly an inspiring book and one worth having. There's certainly no shortage of recipes for all sorts of conditions and applications. That said, I'd be a little cautious about following each recipe to the letter. I think the text was possibly written in a different era when, perhaps, there wasn't quite the understanding of the potency of essential oils and possible contradictions. In my opinion, some of the recipes (especially skincare ones) have dangerously high levels of essential oil content. Less is more! Always best to stick to modern thinking and play safe - so 4 drops of EO to 50 ml (0.5%) of carrier oil if using on the face. Massage oils for the rest of the body can be safely made with more EO content (1-3%) for "normal" adults...but always play safe and never more than 1% for elderly people and children. A good book though and certainly worth having!

This book is not a VERY GOOD one I am afraid. Please see the photos. The book is damaged in the cover and spine, and presents yellow pages with an unpleasant smell. Maybe it is an ex-library copy.