True rosewater, or hydrosol of rose is, in fact, the water byproduct of rose essential distillation. It is a glorious healing tool and an affordable substitute for rose otto when the scent of real rose is desired. True aromatherapy uses essential oils because of their profound healing benefits, not because they smell good. Some of them do smell good, especially in synergistic blends. Other very effective oils, such as tea-tree, are not exactly perfumy.
Essential oils are the most concentrated form of herbal energy available.
They are actually the hormone of the plant. They work on the body in two different, but related capacities. Not surprisingly, the first is scent. The second is application to the skin. The molecules of essential oils are so small that they can actually be absorbed through the skin and into the blood stream.