Explores the journey of essential oils from living plant to bottle, as well as how to apply them in your own life for healing and balance * Explains what an essential oil is and examines the botany of how they evolved and the various roles they play, from protecting the plant to aiding its propagation * Provides in-depth profiles for 58 common essential oils, identifying the phytochemicals that contribute to each oil's scent and healing qualities and its therapeutic applications, with an emphasis on antimicrobial and antiviral properties * Discusses the healthiest and safest ways to use essential oils for self-care and the safe and appropriate use of essential oils for children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems Exploring the journey of essential oils from living plant to bottle, as well as how to apply them in your own life for healing and balance, Heather Dawn Godfrey explains what an essential oil is and examines the botany of how they evolved and the various roles they play--from protecting the plant to aiding its propagation. She presents an easy-to-understand introduction to essential oil chemistry, detailing how essential oils are collected through various methods of extraction to preserve their healing properties. She then explores the healthiest and safest ways to use essential oils for self-care, including guidelines for children and the elderly as well as individuals with compromised immune systems. The author provides in-depth individual profiles for 58 common essential oils. Each profile includes a description of the plant the essential oil is extracted from, the phytochemicals and terpenes that comprise the essential oil, and the oil's aromatherapeutic applications. Godfrey explains how each chemical contributes to the essential oil's overall scent profile and therapeutic qualities, with particular focus on its antimicrobial, antiviral, restorative, and life-enhancing properties. She also details their subtle energetic properties, including their connections to the chakras and elements. Presenting an accessible yet scientifically based guide to healing with essential oils, this book provides a must-have reference for those who use essential oils at home, for health and well-being practitioners, for scent artists and blend creators, or for anyone wanting to explore the dynamic qualities of essential oils for themselves.

A practical guide to the topical application of essential oils for physical and emotional health and healing Well known for their aromatherapy applications, essential oils also have outstanding healing abilities when absorbed through the skin. Applied topically they work well for wound healing, arthritis, inflammation, and skin conditions. Because all of the cells in the body are interconnected, they also affect underlying organs, systems, and soft tissues, influencing hormone release, gently relieving pain and stress, and offering antimicrobial protection against pathogens, viruses, and bacteria. Focusing on 15 essential oils that form a safe and effective "tool kit" for treating a broad range of ailments and conditions, from acne, anxiety, and asthma to psoriasis, shingles, and painful periods, Heather Dawn Godfrey explores how these essential oils complement and support each other's healing properties and can be blended together to offer dynamic, customizable treatments for each unique individual. She examines the body's many absorption pathways, explaining how even the internal organs have odor receptors and how applying essential oils in different ways has specific influences on the body's systems. Offering guidelines for safe application, including recommendations for children and the elderly, the author provides easy-to-reference charts and tables to select the appropriate oil or oils for each situation, and she explains which essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy and by those with specific conditions such as cancer. Presenting scientific profiles for the 15 main essential oils discussed, Godfrey also explores complementary therapies that increase the effectiveness of essential oils, including Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, and she details the colors, chakras, gemstones, and crystals that correspond with each oil. She provides recipes for proper dilution and the best carrier mediums, including creams, compresses, lotions, and ointments. Written for both healthcare professionals and for self-care, this hands-on guide will allow you to effectively treat acute and chronic conditions as well as incorporate essential oils into daily life for physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

A hands-on guide showing how essential oils can support and enhance meditative and mindful practices. For millennia, the spiritual power of odor--such as from incense or frankincense--has been used to symbolize intention, stimulate awareness of our spiritual self, and accentuate rite and ritual. Drawing on this power, as well as their healing qualities, essential oils can provide the perfect complement to meditation or mindfulness practice. Outlining the practice and benefits of meditation and mindfulness in combination with the use of essential oils, Heather Dawn Godfrey explains how these practices hone and sustain a conscious awareness of "being" in the present moment, focusing attention on what you are sensually experiencing and leaving no space for regrets, traumas, fears, anxiety, or anticipation. Providing the latest scientific research on the restorative, rehabilitative, and psycho-emotional healing effects of essential oils, she explains how the sensory experience of odors can immediately draw your attention to the present moment, trigger a specific state of consciousness, such as a deeper meditative state, or offer a way to regain composure quickly when dealing with life's ups and downs. Explaining methods to incorporate essential oils into your practice, Godfrey introduces readers to the "Gem" essential oils--a group of oils specifically selected for attaining and maintaining a state of mindfulness, as well as a broad spectrum of therapeutic properties--and she provides an easy-to-follow chart to help you select the oil that is right for you. Offering a hands-on practical guide to integrating essential oils into mindful and meditative practice, the author shows how each of us has the ability to self-generate a calm, tranquil, and worry-free state of mind.