Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
The word aromatherapy is derived from two words, aroma which means smell and therapy which means healing.
The alternative medicine aromatherapy is the ancient science of healing, relaxing and energising by using plant extracts. These plants extracts include: the roots, barks, flowers, fruits, seeds and nuts of the plant. These are known as essential oils. Essential oils form the basis of aromatherapy massage.
Essential oils help improve a person's mood, cognitive function and also their general health. It is one of the more popular forms of alternative medicines. They are highly concentrated and should not be used directly on the skin. To reduce the potency of these oils, they should be diluted by mixing them with a carrier oil such as almond oil or grape seed oil. These oils are extracted by the means of steam distillation, cold expression, or fixed oil or alcohol extraction.
Essential oils work by entering through our olfactory system and they affect the nervous system, thus improving the mood and having a relaxing or energising affect. This helps to alleviate stress and speed up healing.
Essential oils also have cosmetic properties and can be used in skincare and hair care products. Many of these oils have known anti-viral, antifungal and antiseptic properties. | 
Aromatherapy and Essential Oils