Aromatherapy

Definition: Aromatherapy is the use of botanical oils (extracts or essences) from flowers, herbs, and trees to care for the body, promoting health and well-being. More popularly used oils include rose, lemon, lavender (used to soothe cuts, bruises and insect bites), and peppermint. These essential oils, if of high quality, can be added to a bath, massaged through the skin, inhaled directly, used with teas, or scented in a room. (Lower quality products can still be effective if smelled--you can put a few drops on a tissue and smell it, or add some drops to boiling water to scent a room--but shouldn’t be ingested or rubbed into the skin, as they may have other ingredients that may be harmful.) This therapy is intended to relieve pain, care for the skin, and alleviate tension and fatigue. Scented lotions can be beneficial as well, but to a somewhat lesser degree.