Absolute Beginner's Guide to Alternative Medicine

In This Chapter

■The history and re-emergence of aro-

matherapy

■The curative powers of scent, and the

specific actions of commonly used

aromatherapy ingredients

■An aromatherapy toolkit: simple and

inexpensive ways to get started with

aromatherapy

9Aromatherapy

9Aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of the essential oils of plants. The

chemicals found in the essential oils are absorbed into the body, result-

ing in physiological or psychological benefit. Aromatherapy uses essen-

tial oils to treat symptoms and as such has no theory of health and

illness or a system of diagnosis.