For centuries aromatherapy has been used to promote health and well-being and it is now popular as a beauty treatment as well as being appreciated for its medicinal and therapeutic potential.

You can almost smell the essential oils as you flick through the pages of this book - it's nicely presented with some pleasant photographs and illustrations.

Aroma Remedies by Chrissy Wildwood is a brilliant introduction to learning about the different oils and their uses. It tells you how to buy, blend and apply them in your own home, and how to develop your personal fragrances.

There are over 100 essential oil recipes designed to heal mind, body and spirit with detailed directions on how to use each oil.

Chrissy, who has been an aromatherapist for many years and has written 12 other books on the subject, explores the underlying factors which make us ill and offers insights into how lifestyle and attitude can improve our health. Each area of the body is covered including the skin, the respiratory system, circulation and the heart, digestion, muscles, joints and women's health.

There are helpful hints on how to achieve a clear complexion, reduce the appearance of stretch marks, cellulite and varicose veins and combat period pains, morning sickness and mouth ulcers.

Included is a directory of essential oils that gives detailed information on plants and their properties from chamomile to ylang-ylang. There are suggestions on how to help relieve headaches, migraines, insomnia and mental fatigue as well as potions for burns, scalds, stings, bites, cuts and grazes.

Aroma Remedies by Chrissy Wildwood is published by Collins and Brown at £14.99 (ISBN 1-85585-742-1). We have one to give away, just write to Body & Soul (Aroma book comp), Daily Echo, PO box 542, SO16 9ZG.

Closing date: November 3, 2000.