Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants for healing purposes.
Whether inhaled, absorbed, or ingested, essential oils have been proven to be an effective treatment for infections, stress, and many other conditions. Essential oils are concentrated extracts taken from the roots, leaves, or blossoms of plants. Each essential oil contains its own mix of active ingredients, and this mix determines the healing properties of the oil. The essential oil derived from orange blossom, for example, contains a large amount of ester, an active ingredient thought to induce a calming effect. This may explain the tradition of a bride carrying an orange blossom bouquet on her wedding day.