Book excerpt: Aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing forms of alternative medicine in the UK and USA. Essential oils are now sold in pharmacies and aromatherapy is increasingly being used in hospitals and primary care settings.This unique book takes an analytical and scientific approach to aromatherapy practices and principles based on the scientific evidence to date.The monographs cover commonly used essential oils and their therapeutic uses, details of toxicity, bioactivity, contraindications and clinical studies. This book provides pharmacists, GPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals with reliable scientifically based information on this growing discipline.