Though it is not something new, the use of aromatherapy for better health is on the rise these days with more and more people looking for alternative treatment options. Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils and other aromatic compounds to improve a person’s health, mood, or cognitive function.

The whole concept of aromatherapy revolves around using essential oils extracted from plants, mostly through the process of distillation. Historically, essential oils were used to treat ailments and diseases but nowadays aromatherapy is mostly used in conjunction with standard medical treatments, to enhance their targeted effect.

Most studies about aromatherapy proposed two mechanisms to explain how it works. One is that the aroma of essential oils stimulates the part of the brain connected to our sense of smell – the olfactory system. Once stimulated, a signal is then sent to the limbic system, which is responsible for controlling our emotions and retrieving memories, thus altering a person’s mood. The second mechanism is based on the belief that essential oils have direct pharmacological effect. However, unlike the first mechanism, there is no scientific proof regarding the latter.

There are three modes of applications or types of aromatherapy. These are aerial diffusion, direct inhalation, and topical application. Aerial diffusion involves letting essential oils evaporate into the air. The main target is to give the surrounding air a specific fragrance as in the use of lavender oil to help people relax. Direct inhalation, on the other hand, requires the person to directly breathe in the oil being used. It is commonly used for alleviating respiratory concerns such as nasal decongestion. The last type, topical application, is the one used for massages, baths and, skin care, where essential oils are applied to the skin.

The use of aromatherapy for better health differs for every individual. A person’s lifestyle, medical history, diet and current health status should be considered prior to using it as a treatment option. Essential oils, just like any other substance, have adverse side effects. The most common ones are nausea, headaches and allergic reactions. Basic aromatherapy can be self-administered at home but medical aromatherapy should always be done under the guidance of an aromatherapist, herbalist, massage therapist, nurse, or physician.

Before starting with aromatherapy, it is good to know what the essential oil is and what it does exactly. A few commonly used aromatic plant oils are peppermint, tea tree, and lavender. Peppermint is used to relieve fatigue and muscle pain. It also has an energizing effect. Tea tree is recognized as a powerful antiseptic, antifugal and anti-viral. It is good for acne, warts, and burns. While lavender, which is used mainly in perfumes and soaps, have a refreshing, purifying and clarifying effect. It is used as a soothing agent, as a muscle relaxant, and also as a skin conditioner.

Some aromatic oils like camphor, pennyroyal and wintergreen are toxic and should never be used at all. Utmost care should be taken in using and storing essential oils used for aromatherapy. They can be poisonous if taken orally. Reported cases of poisoning involving the ingestion of these plant oils are increasing. All essential oils should be secured out of the reach of children.