JennScents Holistic Aromatherapy Comprehensive Guide Book Review: Through the Eyes of a Student
Written by: Lovetta Davis
I specifically chose this textbook to assist me with my Level 1 JennScents Aromatherapy certification course that I am now in the process of taking and completing. Not only did this textbook assist me in taking and completing this course with its valuable wealth of information, but it also was a valid education for me in learning the “truth” about the often misunderstood, misinformed and falsified world of “essential oils”, in the effort toward capitalization of the industry. Nowadays you can practically get “essential oils” from anywhere and from anybody and people often do not know/nor do they care about these valuable therapeutic uses of the essentials oils and their background, history, chemical properties, etc., that are innate to their usage, but I took this course and chose this book because I wanted “knowledge” about this arena, and wanted to be aptly equipped to address these issues. This book and this course created a “WOW” experience for me and I appreciate having the privilege to not only read this book but take this course, and become certified in this area.
The Introduction and the History chapters taught me that the use of essential oils has a past, present and a future. The use of essential oils originated in the past, and has progressed from the dark ages through the age of enlightenment to the present, from the East to the West and from one culture to another. It has involved all types of races, colors, creeds, religions, and national origins, and all types of disciplines including science, philosophy, medicine, and industry. This chapter of essential oils has taken me on a journey around the world and through history and time that I shall never forget and will use to continue to edify others about this field.
The chapters regarding the Safety Guidelines and Quality Assurance, made me realize that the essential oils not just something to be taken lightly, as such is the case. They can cause harm if they are not used or administered properly and that the essential oils may be different in terms of quality, testing, harvesting and production. Knowing about these safety guidelines and quality assurance involves the science of botany and knowing that each item in each oil has its own special kind of stamp or “signature” and name, and that the oils should be from unscrupulous sources. These chapters have taught me to view the essential oil industry from a different standpoint and to identify “fraudulent” opportunists in the essential oil industry.
The chapters titled, “What is Aromatherapy and What Are Essential Oils?”, gave me a working definition and understanding of aromatherapy and essentials oils, that was exact, clear and concise, in order to be able to explain the field and what it does and what it has to offer others. From the “folklore, extraction methods, and chemistry, I have learned that these plants contain natural chemicals and compounds that can be taken from the plants and made into oils that can be used for therapeutic purposes for humans and to aid us in the assistance of our healing processes.
Chapter 7 informed me of the various uses of “Aromatherapy for our mental, emotional, physical and soul health and healing.” I gained knowledge about the scientific studies, about the way that aromatherapy and the essential oils works from their entrance into the body, through the olfactory and limbic system, with and throughout all systems of the body (including the digestive, intestinal, immune, lymphatic, glandular, endocrine, nervous, integumentary, muscular, and skeletal system), in addition to the mental, emotional, soul and spiritual processes, and bodily functions, to their exit out of the body, to create a holistic healing process that has proven to be effective. The advancements that science and medicine have made in this area is evident and is ever evolving.
Chapters 8, 9 and 10 on the “Doctrine of Signatures”, “Plant Family Descriptions” and “Scent Classifications” was an excellent “crash course” in the Science of Botany as it applies to each respective plant that is used in the holistic essential oil/aromatherapy process. Each plant, in essence, has its own name (signature), address (plant family description), telephone number/email address (scent classification), and by knowing these you will be able to “select, formulate, and blend”, each essential oil for the specific holistic aromatherapy purpose that you have chosen to utilize.
Chapter 11, “Aromatherapy for Children, Elderly and Animals” taught me specific information about using aromatherapy/essential oils for the target population of children, elderly and animals. It alerted me to the sensitive nature of the mental, physical and emotional natures of children, elderly and animals, and of using aromatherapy and oils for them because their systems and needs are different, mentally, emotionally, and physically. I have learned to be mindful and cautious when using aromatherapy/essentials oils for this population because they may be endangered if I do not follow specific rules and guidelines. Their systems are more sensitive to the essential oils and what they are made of and I must be aware of the types of oils/blends, potency, dosage amounts, carrier oils, etc. for the use and application of aromatherapy/essential oil healing procedures for them.
Chapter 12, “Aromatherapy and Complementary Holistic Health Modalities”, informed me of the use of Aromatherapy/Essential oil techniques from around the world using the “natural” healing or holistic methods. This is where I found that the “east meets the west”, as westerners have adopted some of the “eastern” methods of natural/holistic healing included in this chapter including “Ayurveda; Chakras; Flower Essences; Homeopathy; Massage and Bodywork and Traditional Chinese Medicine”, to maintain their health and wellbeing.
The next chapter included the “Essential Oil Profiles” of 150 essential oils, including their scent, plant description, properties, extraction method, physical, mental and emotional benefits, chakras, history, and contraindications (precautions), and its Note (or scent characteristic of top, middle, or base note) , so that I will know the “who, what, when, how, and why” to use them, because each plant/oil has a character of its own, which is called a “personality”, and the more you know about it, the better you will know “who, what, when, how, and why to use it.
The subsequent chapter deals with “Carriers and Bases”, because most essential oils cannot be used by themselves, because they will cause injury to the individual or to the animal. They have to be blended with another oil so that it can be absorbed by the skin in a better fashion and moisturize and hydrate the skin. These carrier oils have to be stored and also labeled properly so that the shelf life will not be expired and they will not be rancid. This chapter also discusses the use of such items as Apple cider vinegar; baking soda; black ointment; calendula cream/oil; castile soap; castor oil; distress/rescue remedy; liquid plant enzymes; golden salve; green tea; honey; hydrated bentonite clay; magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt); msm; pau darco lotion; progesterone cream; sea salts; shea butter; silver, aqua-sol; witch hazel; which are health items that are used in conjunction with the aromatherapy essential oils/carriers and bases for holistic health and healing.
Next, “Application Methods” are discussed, which includes inhalation, topical and internal. Inhalation (breathing or diffusion) is the quickest; topical or external (with lotions, massage oils and sprays) works via the bloodstream, baths, compresses, perfume); internal (suppositories; internal and/or and mouthwashes). Precautions have to be taken with each of these methods and they are discussed in this chapter, which also contains an update from the FDA regarding the use of vodka and intoxicating spirits as ingredients for body care. Also, labels must be used on the products as to how, when, and why to use them, which includes the precautions listed for each respective oil/blend/carrier, etc.
The next chapter, “The Art of Blending”, discusses the blending of oils for the various healing health issues that you are attempting to address. There are different layers of scents that each oil has top, middle and base. Each and every oil is categorized by its top, middle and base note. These involve the type of scent, its characteristic, how long it lasts and what it accomplishes. You make up the blend in terms of what you have to accomplish.
Next is the “Dilution Ratios and Measurements”. Each oil must be diluted and measured in a particular way so that it will affective for the client and for the reason that you are using it with particular blending and dilution guidelines, so that the oil will not too strong or have negative implications upon the client (like burning them) etc.
The next Chapter “Choosing Essential Oils”, summarizes the who “who is the blend for”; what (“what is the purpose for the blend”; , where (“which quality oils do you have on hand”); why (“what essential oils does your client like or dislike”); when and how (when should your client use the essential oil and the application method and which dilution will you be using”). It also gives you guidelines for formulating the blends including the “amount/number of drops and the cost per drop/oz”, that you have to write down for legal, financial, and medical, reference and documentation purposes.
The Next Chapter is the Body System Introduction, and it addresses how the body systems are interconnected and how all of the systems of the body work together as a total whole unit and all times and how they function, including the absorption, elimination, digestive intestinal, immune, lymphatic, glandular, endocrine, nervous, muscular, skeletal, mind, body, soul, spirit, emotional system, urinary, adrenals thyroid, pancreas,, hepatic, reproductive, etc. and the aromatherapy/essential oil(s) therapy that are used to issues within it.
The Next Chapter deals with the “Ethical Personal and Professional Guidelines”, because the world of Aromatherapy/Essential oils is about “integrity, credibility, respect, morals and values, doing the right thing, consistency, responsibility, education, confidentiality, client files, and legalities along with the Next Chapter of “Professional Image and Hygiene” and how to conduct yourself with others, while assisting them in maintaining their health and well-being and “Doing Unto Others as you would have them do unto you”, in keeping it clean and being transparent, in all that you say and do, your words, deeds, and actions, in fulfilling your duties as an Holistic Aromatherapist.
The next Chapters, including the “A-Z Recipes for Everyday Health Concerns” and “Therapeutic Property Descriptions”, “Bibliography, and Reference Charts”, and the “General Index”, gave much needed, hands-on-information that I could locate and utilize quickly, if needed, and showed me the extensive research that was done on this topic of holistic aromatherapy and all that it entails, in order to teach it, use it, and share it with others for their increased health and well- being.
Thank you for having the opportunity to read this book and take your aromatherapy course. It has added to my edification and enrichment into the world of Holistic Aromatherapy, and my certification as an Holistic Aromatherapist.
To get more insight and training in the use of aromatherapy and essential oils for overall health, check out my JennScents Holistic Aromatherapy Comprehensive Guide. It is packed full of aromatherapy history, safety and health benefits with charts, descriptions of over 105 essential oils, carriers, application methods, recipes and more. If you want to obtain your certification in aromatherapy, we offer three different levels to match your aromatherapy goals.
The information shared was created solely by Certified Clinical Phyto-Aromatherapist & Scentpreneur™, Jennifer H. Pressimone. Copyright2018. No portion of this content may be reproduced, shared, or copied without written permission from the author. Any such reproduction in any form would constitute plagiarism.
References: This blog contains excerpts from JennScents Aromaversity Certification Courses and the JennScents Holistic Aromatherapy Comprehensive Guide.
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