The Healing Power of Essential Oils

Author: Eric Zielinski, D.C.

Publisher: Harmony

Release Date: March 13, 2018

Reviewer: Jennifer S. Roman

Dr. Zielinski wrote The Healing Power of Essential Oils as a way to demonstrate that people can use essential oils in conjunction with modern medicine, under a doctor’s care, or as a means of alternate therapy.  His book breaks down the various kinds of essential oils, how they are used, and different ailments or symptoms that can be treated using essential oils.  A Christian, licensed chiropractor, and public health clinical researcher, Dr. Z uses a variety of methods to introduce his readers to the use of essential oils.  He includes recipes, anecdotes, clinical research, and personal experience to demonstrate his endorsement of these gifts of nature.

Starting at the beginning, Dr. Z explains what essential oils are, their history of use through time, and how they are created.  He introduces the more common and useful oils and references several different sources of the oils themselves and the various accoutrements used with them.  He makes an effort to consider costs when recommending various items and will recommend oils that can be used for more than one purpose.

As the book progresses, each chapter explores either a particular oil or an area of treatment (weight loss, candida, women’s health) and how essential oils may be able to help.  He includes recipes for a variety of methods of use: ingestion, rubs and ointments, and inhalants.  Dr. Z continually cautions readers that not all remedies are one-size-fits-all, and encourages people to try small and then build up.  He also cautions that not every body will respond in the same way to treatment, so experimentation may be required.  Most importantly, Dr. Z lists cautions and side effects of various essential oils.  All put together, this is a good reference to get people started if they are interested in using essential oils.

Dr. Z’s language throughout the book is familiar and colloquial instead of clinical and difficult to read; even dilutions and medical terms are explained so that pretty much anyone can understand.  He throws in some Biblical reference from time to time to demonstrate how healing relates in a Biblical sense, but the book itself does not come across as pushing religion.

It’s hard to say if essential oils are really helpful in treating disease or infection, but Dr. Z’s many references to clinical studies certainly give credibility.  As someone who uses essential oils mostly for olfactory purposes, I was intrigued to find out what he had to say. I am convinced enough to try some of the recipes to see if they work, although I have not tried them yet.  I was a little disappointed that there was not a section on cleaning and using essential oils throughout the home, but overall, I was impressed with how much information was packed into the book. Anyone interested in trying out essential oils could benefit from this book, and it is written in a style that is clear and easy to understand.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.  The views and opinions expressed within are my own.