What Is 'Aromatherapy'?

Aromatherapy is quite an ancient alternative or rather complementary therapy which takes the oils from plants and uses these within the healing process.
The oils are mixed with a carrier oil and are then applied using massage techniques or through a diffuser in the room etc.  
It is thought that the oils do actually affect the body's health, through being absorbed within the bloodstream.  Their aroma is also beneficial because there are certain aspects of smell which can change our moods etc.
Aromatherapy can be helpful to people suffering mild anxiety, depression, or cuts, colds etc but it is certainly not a substitute for emergency treatment.  However, oils such as Lavender, Sandalwood, Frankincense and others can all help people relax, feel more comfortable and ease any congestion in the chest if someone has a cold etc or perhaps just feeling a little down or slightly depressed.  However, aromatherapy should not be practised by pregnant women.

Basically the idea that good smell can improve our physical, psychological and spiritual well-being. Developed out of chemistry in the 1920 this practice suggests that essential oils from herbs are healing either as oils or vapors. At its core aromatherapy is part of alternative or complimentary medicine but it also has a softer end where people use items such as scented candles for pleasant smells that might have mild emotional effects. For example, lavender might be used as a antiseptic or to soothe a headache, or just to evoke pleasant memories and a relaxing ambience.

The medicinal claims associated with aromatherapy vary in their accuracy from effective treatments like a clove for toothache to more dubious claims probably based on symbolic rather than chemical properties--such as rose petals as an aphrodisiac. Any product that is ingested or applied to the body and likely to have marked effects should be bought from a reputable source and discussed with your doctor because herbally based remedies are as likely to have interactions and side-effects as artificial drugs.