With all the available alternative healing methods available, what would make the art of the aromatherapist any more popular than another? Though there may be many different answers to this proposition, one that may be especially worthy of consideration is that of versatility. Within the scope of the oils that are the tools of the aromatherapy technician lies a world of possibility. Not only does each individual essential fragrance have virtues of its own, but the number of possible blends that may utilize the properties of several essentials is only limited by the knowledge and creative artistry of the person mixing them.
Blending fragrances to a specific healing purpose offers some facilities that are less apparent in other forms of alternative treatments. Taken from the expertise of the master perfumer is the use of the trace element in blends. While there may be only a drop or two of a particular essential oil included in a formula, this inclusion has the effect of totally altering the properties of the final blended product. It can increase the potency of a particular remedy or direct its effectiveness along specific lines of treatment, thus enhancing its overall potency.
Another virtue of using oil blends in healing pursuits is the employment of subtlety. While many of the healing arts approach the relief of symptoms or the attack of the causal bacteria of an ailment, aromatherapy has the ability to address treatment on more than one level. It can be directed toward relief of the symptoms of an ailment—used as a medium for cleansing and disinfecting, for ousting the offending microorganism. However, it may also be used as a catalyst to spur on the body’s own natural defenses. It can be used to invoke and enhance the natural immune system, so that it kicks in at full power to alleviate the pain and suffering of an ailment. While it can parallel the successes of allopathic medicine, it may also be used as the homeopathy of alternative systems. It is the culmination of many centuries of research and experience, the best of many worlds.
One of the primary purposes of this volume is to open up the world of aroma to the individual, to expose each man and woman to a heightened awareness of the subtle conditions existing all around them that may have a significant effect upon their well-being. Whether the sensitivities are awakened by the fragrance of a field of wildflowers or of a manufactured perfumer’s creation, whether one is assaulted by the odor of a stinkbug fallen beneath the shoe of a careless passerby or the penetrating stench of a chemical fire, you are affected by the scents you experience. In pursuing the spheres of fragrance, you will become more aware of your day-to-day experiences with scent, entering your future experiences with your eyes— and nostrils—wide open.
While there are many published works that may serve as formularies in aromatherapy, few address both the magickal and the healing aspects of the practice. And while this formulary may be one of the most expansive volumes presently available, it should be remembered that the possibilities of varying oil blends is endless, bound only by the expertise and creativity of the individual aromatherapist. Let this book serve as a guide to the gifts of nature—to use them to make your life better, your body healthier, and your mind and spirit robust with vitality.