Marcel Lavabre's practical guide to the use of essential oils covers the history, folklore, science, and art of aromatherapy, providing the most comprehensive treatment of the subject available today. It features more than seventy essential oils classified by botanical family, with detailed discussions of their specific actions and unique insights into their energetic and spiritual properties. Lavabre explores the origins and applications of this ancient healing art in classical civilizations, tracing the medical, alchemical, and spiritual development of aromatherapy up to the present. He shows how to use appropriate plant essences for beautifying, cleansing, and healing the body, as well as in massage, aromatic baths, ritual, and spiritual practice. The mysteries of the olfactory system are explained, along with the powerful influence of scent on our mental state, emotions, and sexuality. The various methods of extraction are discussed in detail, and a special section is devoted to the art of blending. Specific formulas are also given for common disorders such as digestive and circulatory ailments, headaches, menstrual and sexual problems, and insomnia. Extensive reference tables provide the reader with concise information on each essential oil and its therapeutic uses. This book makes a perfect step-by-step guide for beginners as well as an ongoing reference for practicing aromatherapists.