OUT OF STOCK UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Shirley Price's bestselling book is a valuable guide to the art of aromatherapy which looks at the properties of essential oils and their use in healing.

I suggest it as the first book to read to learn about wholistic aromatherapy. Shirley Price was taught by the founder of Wholistic aromatherapy, Marguerite Maury, an Austrian biochemist. My teacher, Jan Benham, was taught by Shirley Price.

Practical Aromatherapy:

~ Looks at how the mind and body react to aromatherapy.
~ Is up to date with new chapters on Complementary Therapies and Holism and Swiss Reflex Therapy.
~ Includes updated information on the uses of a wide range of fully-tested essential oils and gives advice on availability.
* How to use oils -- inhalation, ingestion, compresses, baths, teas, massage
* Which oils are used for ailments, relaxation etc.
* Aromatherapy massage techniques
* How to blend your own oils plus many recipes

An excellent introduction to aromatherapy
By Klytemnestra (UK)
Shirley Price is internationally known as a leading aromatherapist, and has here produced a book which covers a great deal of ground in a relatively short space.

She gives a general introduction to aromatherapy and its background, profiles 47 essential oils individually as well as providing a therapeutic index and some very sensible recipes for the commoner ailments, and provides a selection of case histories, both Price's own and from her colleagues. The oil profiles and charts are clearly laid out and simple to follow; they are concise but still go into quite a bit of detail.

Aromatherapy techniques, such as blending oils or using them in the bath, are explained well, and at all times her suggested practices and essential oil dilutions are practical and safe. Massage techniques (effleurage, pétrissage and frictions) are clearly explained and a whole-body massage sequence suggested, with good illustrations.

There are also chapters on skin care and some other disciplines, namely reflexology and shiatsu. Again background and techniques are given a basic but thorough discussion, and routines given for those who wish to incorporate these other complementary therapies into their aromatherapy treatments.

This was the first book I bought on aromatherapy and it kept me going for a long time. While those who go on to study aromatherapy seriously will, sooner or later, want books that discuss its various aspects in more depth, for an all-round introduction to the subject that will give you a good working amateur knowledge, this book is a great place to start.

This book is frequently unavailable in North America due to its popularity in the UK. OUT OF STOCK UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE