Aromatherapy involves inhaling essential oils or applying them to the skin to improve physical, emotional, or spiritual well-being. Essential oils are plant oils.
The term "essential" is used because the oil contains the plant's "essence," or the smell that is characteristic of the plant. Smelling essential oils is thought to affect the brain. Depending on the oil used, these effects may include feelings of relaxation, pain relief, and others.
People commonly use aromatherapy for insomnia, anxiety, labor pain, stress, depression, menopausal symptoms, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
To learn about specific essential oils used in aromatherapy, including bergamot oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, and many others, review those specific topics.
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