Well Being Magazine

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

By Kurt Schnaubelt

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years for many different kinds of ailments. For those interested in essential oils, quite a few handbooks are available to assist the novice in relaxation, sleep, and pain relief. If you’re ready to dig a little deeper, Kurt Schnaubelt, a Ph.D in chemistry who has spent his career studying essential oils, will give you a great primer in The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils.

The first part of the book helps the reader understand the molecular structure of the plant and how essential oils work. A second, and crucial part of the book, deals with understanding the authenticity of essential oils. The last section offers treatment strategies for a wide range of ailments.

The book is a pleasure to use: sidebars and photographs appear throughout the book with features on plants in art and culture, explanations on the scientific context, recipes, and other background information to supplement your reading. I chose this book over small handbooks because they always left me wanting to know exactly how essential oils worked. Even if Schnaubelt’s book may be a little too scientific for some, I still appreciate the depth. It is a handbook to keep!