BOOK

REVIEWS
AILEEN NEILAN
ROBERT TISSERAND
WENDY JAGO

COLOUR SCENTS of an csscntial oil and then provides a gemstones linked with different colours
SUZY CHIAZZARI comprehensive table on the colour and their healing qualities.
PUBLISHED BY signatures, as she sees them, of 75 Section 4 contains monographs of
C. W. DANIELCO. essential oils (using botanical names 73 oils (some of the oils referred to in
UK El 1.95 / US $23.95 / which adds to the clarity of the other parts of the book are ignored here,
CAN $33.95 1 AUS $35.95 which leaves an uncomfortable gap).
240 PAGES PAPERBACK The information on each oil includes
ISBN: 0 85207 316 X the colour linked with the oil and the
treatments it would be suitable for, also

T
his book looks at the relationship its therapeutic uses, any precautions
between colour healing and when using the oil and finally an
aromatherapy with the aim of affirmation for use with the oil and its
combining the two Lo gain greater relevant colour. Most of the information
healing potential. The book is in four in this section is interesting, the physical
seclions preceded by an introduction, properlies of the oils are accurale but
which develops the idea of aroma as some of the precautions arc tither
being part of our aura as much as irraccurate or downright wrong! I found
colour is, in thaL they both reflect the this disappointing as Lhe rest of the book
energies in the physical, mental and had been so enjoyable and had opened
emotional bodies. up new ideas for aromatherapy
In section 1 the author inLr_oduces treatment.
the idea of aromas having vibrational Overall I found Suzy Chiazzari’s
energy She suggests that essential oils information). The author then book a fascinating read. I would
can affect us without our smelling them discusses mixing essential oils using recommend it with the proviso that you
and that each oil’s individual vibrations their colour energy as a guide and check the safety of the oils in Essential
would link with a colour and a sound. I suggests ways of doing this including oil Sajity (1995, Churchill Livingstonc,
liked the fact that the author using the ‘notes’ in the essential oils as Edinburgh) by Tisserand and Balazs.
emphasised here that although she a link with the chakras. Apin a table is AN
encouraged following one’s own used to clarify mixing the oils.
intuition this should only be done after In section 3 we are taken for a ESSENTIAL OILS IN
acquiring a sound knowledge of the walk through an aromatic flower COLOUR
effecLs of colours and essential oils. garden at sunset before reading the ROSEMARYCADDY
There is a clear description of the author’s views on how to balance the PUBLISHED BY
different energy bodies and chakra use of colour and aroma in a treatment. AMBERWOODPUBLISHING
system and how colours link with them The practises of colour reflexology and UK E9.99 / US $25.00
And the author then gives a page Lo colour acupuncture are described and 128 PAGES PAPERBACK
each colour and provides a list of oils colour reflexology is gone into in more ISBN: 1 899308 14 8
which reflect the colour’s vibration. I detail and may be of interest to those

E
found some frustration reading this aromatherapists who are also practising ach essential oil is beautifidly
section as the author mentions rcflexology. Next come descriptions of illustrated by a pie chart
research in several places buL gives the using colour in different types of showing the relative proportions
reader no references. aromatherapy treatments including: of chemical groups to be found in it.
Section 2 starts with some massage, lamps and diffusers, baths, Each chemical group is simply
questionable scientific explanations compresses, spray mists and meditation. illustrated by a colour, red for
but becomes more acceptable when The author even suggests the colour of stimulating, blue for sedating and so
the author discusses essential oil flowers suitable as gifts for different on. This simple, but visually compelling
Jibrations and how important it is to occasions - florists take note! Crystals tool is a graphic reminder that many
use pure oils. She also gives some ideas and gemstones are included in this essential oils conLain both stimulant
m how to discover the colour signature section and information is given on the and sedative components.
 The book 1s one ok several recent esters are “generally gentle and
publications based on the theory (and safe in nature. They are a good choice
it is only a theory) that groups of for trcaling Ihe young, old or frail”.
chemicals - functional groups found Caddy claims that lavender oil
in essential oils all have similar contains a balance 01 stimulants and
pharmacological properties. Caddy sedatives. Surely it contains a
predominance of sedalivcs - certainly
there is now an abundance of evidence
that lavender oil is sedative. According
to Caddy, alcohols arc stimulant.
Linalool, one of the main components
of lavender oil, is an alcohol, and yet its
sedative action has been well researched
and documented. Caddy does add the
rider that “some . . . alcohols may be
calming” but this merely begs the
question of what, then, is the point of
the book? There are simply too man)
gaping holes in this theory.
Surely it makes more sense 10 first
establish what the propertics of an
essential oil are and then, where
possible, to explain them with
reference to its composition. If you
start Ii-orn the other end, with the
states: “Chemical constituen& are likely
components, and try to explain the
to exhibit some but not all their
propertics of the oil “backwards” you
possible family properties”. Unlortun-
face some major hurdles.
ately her book takes little account of
For example, the functional
this proviso, and this is a massive
group theory fails to take account of
mistake.
synergy and antagonism, two of
For example, any oil rich in
nature’s surprising tricks. Somctimcs
phenolic compounds is assumed to be
the property of one component is
dangerous in pregnancy and epilepsy,
enhanced by olhcrs present, and
even when there is no evidence to
sometimes the opposite happens.
support this nolion. Under “Fennel”
Unfortunately it is impossible to
Caddy states: “Do not use with
predict when and if either 01 Ihcse two
pregnant women, babies and young
forces will come into play, so of course
children. Do not use if epilepsy is
Lhe theory cannot accounL for them,
suspected”. I know of no evidence to
but it then follows that the theory
support any of these contraindications.
cannot make reliable predictions about
Assuming toxicity where there is no
evidence for it can cause an enormous the action of the whole essential oil.

amount of confusion and angst. The colour wheels look very

According to Caddy, ketones are pretty, and seem like a good idea until

sedative. Camphor is a ketone, and it is you look more closely at the theory on

one of the most stimulant compounds which lhcy are based. To support the
found in essential oils. It is such a many pharmacological and toxi-
powerful stimulant that it causes cological claims in her book, Caddy
eplleptiform convulsions, even in not ;ives a mere 28 references. Not
particularly high dosages. It can also be surprisingly, the great majority of
dangerous in pregnancy. Camphor is claims in the text are simply not
not one of the 90 essential oils covered referenced, and the functional group
in the book. .heory will remain ,just that until it is
Wintergrecn is another oil not championed in a proper scientific
covered in the book. It contains some nanner. Nature is far more complex
98% of methyl salicylatc, an ester, and han this pseudo-scientific book would
is one of the most toxic compounds lave us believe.
found in essential oils. According to RT