JULIA LAWLESS
Herbalist, Gardener, Meditation Teacher
DAY 1
16/2/24
Julia Lawless first became interested in aromatic oils as a child because her mother Kerttu, a Finnish biochemist, had been involved in research on essential oils at Helsinki University, long before aromatherapy became ‘fashionable’. Julia’s own professional training had originally been as a writer, but it was her love of nature and aromatic plants which directly inspired her to study Western herbal medicine and then train as an aromatherapist within the IFA structure in London. She then practised in London as an aromatherapist for several years, combining this with doing a meditation training.
Over the following three decades she published over twenty books on the uses of essential oils and the practice of aromatherapy. Her particular interest has been in providing clear and accurate information about the oils, which is presented in a very accessible manner from an educational point of view. She wrote her first book, ‘The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Aromatic oils in Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health and Well-being’ (1992) simply because there was no comprehensive guidebook covering a wide range of aromatic oils available at that time.
This book became a best-seller and was immediately translated into several languages, the latest being the Chinese edition, as well as being produced as an illustrated volume. It became the standard textbook for aromatherapy training on an international basis, which has continued until the present day. To date it has sold millions of copies world-wide and an expanded and revised edition of the Encyclopaedia was released in August 2014, which documents over 200 aromatic oils.
Today, Julia is a highly respected authority in the field of aromatic plants and herbs and an undisputed expert in essential oils, having acted as a general consultant to the industry for over thirty-five years. She is directly responsible for the selection and quality check of all essential oils and products sold by her family business Aqua Oleum. She is also in charge of the formulation of all new Aqua Oleum products and advises and formulates blends for other brands developing their own lines.
Julia has regularly appeared on TV and radio as well as giving lectures and interviews. Her video tutorial course: ‘An Introduction to Home Aromatherapy’ ‒ a four-part online guide with an accompanying companion text ‒ is available via her website.
As a keen gardener, she has also created a several aromatic gardens over the years, including the development of a three-acre plot in Wales exploring the potential of aromatic plants in relation to climate change. Julia is also trained in Tibetan Buddhist yoga, is a meditation teacher and has practiced Buddhism for many years.
She is best known for her many books on herbs and aromatherapy, which include: ‘The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils’; The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils’; ‘The Complete Illustrated Guide to Aromatherapy’ ; ‘The Fragrant Garden’; Heaven Scent’; ‘Aromatherapy and the Mind’; ‘Aloe Vera’; ‘Tea tree Oil’; ‘Rosemary Oil’; ‘Rose Oil; ‘Lavender Oil’; ‘The Essential Aromatherapy Garden’; ‘The Complete Essential Oils Sourcebook’; ‘Home Aromatherapy’; ‘The Home Use of Essential Oils’; ‘Illustrated Elements of Essential Oils’; ‘The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Sourcebook’; ‘The Blending Notebook’ & ‘Mud, Salt & Medicine.’
Aqua Oleum
