Aromatherapy is any scent that is used to affect the body or mind. The sense of smell is the sense that is most basic to humans and most animals. In general, when we speak of aromatherapy, we are talking about essential oils. These oils are taken from various trees and plants, and have direct effects on our body. For example, a blend of grapefruit, orange, and clary sage is used for insomnia and can put the individual to sleep very quickly.
Candles are just one way of using aromatherapy.
The most usual method is to inhale the essential oil or blends directly, but the oils used in other ways as well. Place a cotton ball with a couple of drops of peppermint oil in your automobile's air conditioner vent on your next road trip to keep you awake and alert. Add a few drops of a cold and sinus blend to hot water in your bathroom sink and inhale the steam to clear up your sinuses and nasal passages. Sometimes we may not even know what the scent is, but we know the association. This association can be positive or negative.