What is Aromatherapy?

To put it simply, aromatherapy is the practice of using plant oils that are often volatile and using essential oils to improve psychological and physical well being of a person. This brings me to the next logical question, what are essential oils. Essential oils are liquid extracts taken from the purest or the most essential part of the aromatic plant. Studies have found that essential oils are beneficial in the use of physical and psychological well being, if and when used in a proper manner. Essential oils are highly concentrated and should never be used directly on the skin; they are most commonly used along with base oil or with the help of a diluter.

Essential oils are not to be confused with perfume oils or fragrance oils. Perfume or fragrance oils are made from artificial substances and often harmful chemicals, and more often than not they are harmful and do not have any of the benefits of essential oils. Beware of fragrance and perfume oils being masked as essential oils.