Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a type of alternative medicine that uses the part of plants known as essential oils. Some people think that aromatherapy helps to change a person's mind, mood or health but this has not been proven scientifically.

Some essential oils like tea tree do have an anti-microbial effect, so they may be useful for the treatment of infections. Evidence that aromatherapy works in treating disease and other conditions is poor.

Ways of using aromatherapy

The ways of using aromatherapy oils include:

 Putting on the skin
In the bath
In a diffuser  

References

Further reading
 Burke, L., & Chambers, P. (1995). The very essence: A guide to aromatherapy. Silver Link.  
 Lis-Balchin, Maria (2006). Aromatherapy science: A guide for healthcare professionals. London: Pharmaceutical Press. 
 Schnaubelt, Kurt (1998). Advanced aromatherapy: The science of essential oil therapy. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. 
 Schnaubelt, Kurt (1999). Medical aromatherapy: Healing with essential oils. Berkeley, CA: Frog. 
 Valnet, Jean; & Tisserand, Robert (1990). The practice of aromatherapy: A classic compendium of plant medicines & their healing properties. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. 

 Wanjek, Christopher (2003). Bad medicine: Misconceptions and misuses revealed, from distance healing to vitamin O. New York: J. Wiley. 
 Valnet, Jean; & Tisserand, Robert (1982). The practice of aromatherapy. Saffron Walden: Daniel. 

 Other websites 

 The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy
 International Federation of Aromatherapy
 What Does the Research Say About Essential Oils? 
 Antiviral and Antimicrobial Properties of Essential Oils
 The Aromatherapy Global Online Research Archives

Journals
 Top Dermatologist in the United States 
 International Journal of Clinical Aromatherapy 
Criticism
 Aromatherapy - does it work? Smell Research by Tim Jacob
 Aromatherapy: Making Dollars out of Scents

Category:Pseudoscience
Category:Perfumery