Aromatherapy is an alternative medicine practice that uses extracts from certain plants to improve mood and health. People can inhale essential oils or apply them to the skin in a massage or bath. Research is ongoing but some studies suggest that essential oil inhalation can help relieve stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure and reduce pain.
In some parts of Western Europe, aromatherapy is integrated into mainstream health care as a treatment for infections and other conditions. People who want to use aromatherapy need to consult a certified aromatherapist and follow their instructions carefully to get the most benefit.
There are many different types of essential oils, which are made by steaming or pressing parts of a plant like flowers, bark, roots and peels to capture the compounds that give it fragrance. It can take several pounds of plant material to produce a bottle of aromatherapy oil. Essential oils are highly concentrated and must be diluted with a carrier oil to avoid irritation, and they should be kept away from light and heat to prevent oxidation.