Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to write about aromatherapy. Now as this topic is very detailed I had to consolidate it into sub sections. The first section explains the most basic meaning of aromatherapy. The section very briefly discusses the history of the aromatherapy including it origins and where it was widely used. Thirdly this paper discusses the most essential oils used in the aromatherapy along with some of their benefits. Fourth section illustrates the way these essential oils are prepared and its significance. Then the paper illustrates that how aromatherapy works along with including the most prominent and common benefits of aromatherapy. Lastly this paper mentions some precautions that should be taken while doing aromatherapy.
What is aromatherapy?
In simple terms aromatherapy means the use of “treatment using scents.” In my personal opinion it is like treating your body with gentle care of pleasant smelling botanical oils such as rose, lemon, lavender and peppermint. It is considered to be a branch of herbal medicine that uses the essential oils found in plants for their healing or medicinal properties. Aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing fields in alternative medicine. It is widely used at home, clinics and hospitals for a variety of applications such as pain relief for women in labor pain, relieving pain caused by the side effects of the chemotherapy undergone by the cancer patients. (Martin, 2001)
Although the word “aroma” suggests that it is primarily a form of smell therapy, the essential oils are absorbed into the body via the skin, through massage, and the lungs, through inhalation. Aromatherapy is used for the relief of pain, care for the skin, assuage tension and fatigue and refresh the entire body. Essential oils can affect the mood, improve fatigue, reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. When inhaled, they work on the brain and nervous system through stimulation of the olfactory nerves.................
