Ayurveda & Aromatherapy: The Earth Essential Guide to Ancient Wisdom and Modern Healing Paperback – February 14, 1996

This book is essentially a complete users manual on how to apply essential oils in a manner consistent with Ayurvedic healing. From start to finish this book radiates sincerity and hands on knowledge. We immediately believe that the authors are not simply talking the talk but are walking the talk.The book opens with an introduction to Ayurveda, including the 5 elements, 3 doshas and 6 tastes. The 15 subdoshas are described along with a description of typical symptoms of imbalances and essential oils that balance those doshas. The authors provide a novel analysis of the effects of essential oils using two of the three taste polarities:1) hot-cold and 2)wet-dry. This allows them to classify the essential oils in terms of their effects on the doshas.The chapters describing the history and manufacture of essential oils are informative and full of interesting anedotes.Other useful features include: how to apply essential oils with compress, in the bath, inhalation etc.: methods on how to choose essentials oils; a complete list of herbs and their healing attributes; a list of Ayurvedic healing centers; a list of suppliers of essential oils; and references to explore further the concepts and methods presented.Anyone interested in a practical introduction to Ayurveda, Aromatherapy or both is likely to benefit from a study of this book. (1/10/2000).

This aromatherapy book is unique in many ways and so is a very, very valuable addition to ones aromatherapy library.The author covers both common and rare aromatherapy oils, more than any other book, including many from India, and her descriptions of each oil are both personal and objective and fascinating.The most valuable feature of the book is its focus on the doshas: how each oil affects Vata, Pitta, and Kapha types differently. This approach is sorely lacking in most aromatherapy books (they ignore the proverb that what's good for one person may be bad for another).This is one of the few aromatherapy books in my large collection that I would insist on taking "to a desert island". It's that good.My highest recommendations.

I've been reading and researching a lot about the subject and would highly recommend this book, which is the best I've read so far. It's a combination of Light's Indian traditional knowledge, and her husband's - who is a doctor. The result is a structured book - a rare thing when it comes to Ayurveda and Aromatherapy, I'm a afraid. However, it's worth pointing out that if you are looking for a practical guide on how to use essential oils (such as recipes and quick references), this probably isn't the right choice for you. This is a book that takes you deep into the knowledge of Ayurveda, and its relation with Aromatherapy.

This book is very technical. I don't understand all of the types and how to work with them, yet, but it's a great reference for the essential oils and their therapeutic uses. The history of Ayurvedic medicine is interesting, too. The book is written in a conversational style that's easy to read. The only downside of the dual-authorship is that it's sometimes difficult to tell which one is writing, and they sometimes have different perspectives.If you are just wanting to play with aromatherapy as a way to scent your house, this book is overkill for you. If you want to learn more about some of the more esoteric oils and how they are used in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, it's a good read.

I was looking for a book about essential oils in an Ayurvedic context and this is totally one of them (assuming there are more). There are suggested carrier oils based off ones dosha, and energetics are mentioned! I even found more on pregnancy in an Ayurvedic context than the book Yoga Mama, Yoga Baby!I work in a supplement store which has some essential oils, and am studying Ayurveda unofficially until i can go to school, so this is a great reference!

This book doesn’t have all the oils I like to use, but provides detailed information for many as well as foundations of Ayurveda. The self assessments are better than most online dosha quizzes and help you determine which doshas may be out of balance as well as your Prakriti.

I have been using this book a lot more lately than when I first got it. I now read over her Monographs section often when trying to select an oil to balance my doshas. I found the section on marmas very intriguing and even have used the book as a guide during pancha karma. A very nice reference to have as an Ayurvedic student.

Seller did a great job getting the book to me quick. I have really enjoyed the detailed overview of various essential oils for each Dosha. Not just this is good of Pita but it offers variouslists for many types of Dosha imbalances, for each Dosha with suggested oils. Also some unique ways to use the oils, different than my many other books on Aromatherapy.