If you are pregnant or already taking medication it is advisable to consult a qualified practitioner before using essential oils. Although the term 'aromatherapy' didn't come into use until about the 1900s, the use of essential plant oils to promote physical and mental well-being and healing, has been practised since ancient times. We are all aware that certain smells can trigger certain memories. Our sense of smell is a powerful thing, and the most over-looked of our five senses. When we breathe in an aroma, the particles that make up the aroma bind to the part of the brain that governs our sense of smell and emotions, having an almost instantaneous effect on our moods and emotions.
Inhalation is therefore the most direct route between our brains and the outside world.
Different aromas can have different effects on our moods and emotions, and essential oils, which contain the pure 'essence' of a plant and are highly aromatic, have been found to have both psychological and physical effects on our system. Essential oils are widely available, from chemists, health shops, via mail order and on the Internet. Check the bottle carefully before you buy - just because the labelling mentions the word 'aromatherapy' is not a guarantee that the oils inside are pure and natural. Keep your oils away from direct sunlight and in the container in which you bought them. Essential oils can be used in a number of different ways.