The Oxford English Dictionary defines Aromatherapy as "The use of plant extracts and essential oils in massage". However, that is a bit of an over-simplification.
Plants have been used for thousands of years for their healing properties. Many induce purely physiological affects on the body such as Digitalis (derived from the common Foxglove) and used for the treatment of certain heart conditions and Asprin (derived from the bark of the willow tree) and well known as a powerfull painkiller and anti-inflammatory, others produce affect in the mind - marajuana.... Well enough said. The list is almost endless, Opium from the Poppy gives rise to morphine and other opiates, hormones synthesised from the Yam (sweet potatoe) gave rise to the birth control pill and so it goes on.
Aromatherapy makes use of plant extracts in the form of essential oils in massage, inhalation, compresses and other topical application, to elicit certain reactions from the body. The fragrances of the essential oils affects one of our most basic senses - smell. The often delicate, but sometimes pungent scents stimulate the brain via the olfactory nerves. The brain can respond in various ways. Sometimes it may release endorphines which are the bodies natural feel good hormones and at others may release substances which naturally calm, relax, excite and sometimes can even anger (although we don't want that one).
By mixing essential oils in certain proportions, it is possible to produce many desired reactions such as sleep, lust, alertness and any number of others. Whether calming, soothing relaxing or stimulating, the ability of the essential oils to give rise to such affects make them a powerful tool in the fight against stress and even physical ailments.
The great thing about these oils is that they are all natural products and generally safe to use so starting with a basic recipe and playing around with it can lead to some facinating results - (See the story behind our
Witches Brew.)
According to recent research, the effect of fragrance on the brain is similar to that of some antidepressant drugs. Scents such as orange, alter brain chemistry that caused depression, anxiety and other mood changes.