Published by Bupa's Health Information Team, July 2011. This
factsheet is for people who are having aromatherapy, or who
would like information about it. Aromatherapy is a complementary
therapy that is based on the use of concentrated plant essences.
This is where the term essential oil comes from. Aromatherapy is
used to reduce the symptoms of a range of conditions and aims to
improve both physical and emotional wellbeing. Your
aromatherapist will discuss your care before carrying out your
procedure. It may differ from what is described here as it will
be designed to meet your individual needs. Aromatherapy is the
practice of using essential oils therapeutically. Plant oils
have been used as therapy and cosmetics for thousands of years
with records going back to ancient Egypt, China and India. The
essential oils that aromatherapists use to treat conditions are
complex substances containing many chemical components. The oils
aren't concentrated from whole plant parts – unlike most herbal
medicines – but are e