Aromatherapy is the practice of using aromatic plant oils, called essential oils, to enhance an individual’s mental or physical wellbeing. Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts taken from plant materials such as flowers, bark, stems, leaves or seeds. They contain active chemical constituents that can promote healing or a state of calm and relaxation. They can be inhaled, diluted and applied to the skin or in special cases, taken orally. They can be used in a variety of ways, including sprays, baths, body oils and diffusers.
Before using essential oils for specific conditions, an individual should consult with a practitioner trained in the use of aromatherapy. Each essential oil contains active chemical constituents that can have complex effects across a number of body systems. It is important
that a practitioner understands the chemistry of each essential oil and how it interacts with other essential oils and the human body.
It is also important to obtain essential oils from a reliable source that offers undiluted, unadulterated oils that have been extracted from plants sustainably and without the use of harmful solvents.
