It is a healing alternative as an adjunct to modern medicine. Aromatherapy has been used since 4000 B.C., and in the not too distant past was used world-wide. It is still used throughout Europe and is a primary method of healing in countries such as India and the Middle East. Aromatherapy is the use of combinations of oils and tinctures which give off a certain smell when combined - the smell affects this body sense and provides healing of certain kinds for certain illnesses and afflications. Pure essential oils are in concentrated form from fragrant components of plants and herbs.
Armoatic essences are oily, fragrant substances which are fomulated in a variety of ways.
Distillation is the most common process. An example of this is the fragrance lavendar. Expression is the application of pressure resulting in, as an example again, of orange or lemon. Tinctures and resinoid methods are also commonly used. These extracted oils can then be used straight or blended with other oils for their many therapeutic qualities.