Aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing form of treatment in the world. Aromatherapy treatment is the use of volatile oils derived from plants to affect the mood or health. However, manufacturers now also used the term to also describe the herbal oils and scents used in soaps, lotions, shampoos and conditioners. People tend to perceive that the higher prices on these items are justified because of the “aromatherapeutic” value in them.
While aromatherapy treatment is regarded as a complementary medical tool in the United States, the role of essential oils and aromatherapy are taken more seriously in Europe. In France, for instance, many essential oils are available only by prescription and aromatherapy is a part of conventional medicine.
While most people believe that aromatherapy is all about what your nose senses, there is far more to it than just scent. Essential oils are extracts from plants, many of which do have pharmacologic effects on the body and mind. For instance, lavender oil has a specific chemical makeup that is thought to act on chemical receptors in the brain.
Aromatherapy treatment is used in the relief of pain and nausea, often post-operative or in conjunction with chemotherapy. The therapeutic effects include: