INTRODUCTION

Everyone is talking about essential oils these days. You can find ample information on them from a variety of media sources that explore their roles in herbal medicine, mindfulness, natural body care, functional medicine, and the practice of Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. But the real challenge is trusting the information you find. Who is writing it? What’s their experience?

We’ve been around a long time, and we have garnered respect from scholars and thought leaders in the field of aromatherapy and beyond. Our students come from around the world. They find us because they want an honest, scholarly, innovative, fun, and balanced approach to learning how to use these remarkable materials.

Our approach is simple: We first celebrate the joy and beauty of the aromas of essential oils. That initial profound connection opens our minds and our hearts to the power (and science) of their medicine. We invite everyone who smells an essential oil to join our mission to connect with our sense of smell and observe how olfaction impacts our well-being and our relationships with plants and with our world.

We love essential oils. This book is our opportunity to share our passion, experience, and knowledge about aromatic plants and their power to impact our lives. Welcome to expanding your journey and deepening your understanding of essential oils!