Aromatherapy is a natural treatment that uses high-quality natural essential oils of definite origin as a medium to enter the body through the respiratory tract or skin through inhalation, massage, water immersion, etc., in order to relieve and treat illness, promote beauty, and influence the mental and spiritual structure of a human being.

The name “aromatherapy” is derived from the word “aroma”, meaning fragrance or smell, and “therapy”, meaning treatment. People have been interested in fragrances since the 6th millennium BC. More than 700 substances were used for therapeutic purposes in China and India, including cinnamon, ginger, myrrh, and sandalwood; the Egyptians used aniseed, cedar, and myrrh to prepare perfumes, cosmetics, and ointments; and in ancient Greece, thyme, saffron, marjoram, caraway, and peppermint were applied. As you can see, essential oils have been used for a variety of purposes in various cultures.

Essential oils are obtained from raw plant materials (flowers, leaves, stems, roots, herbs, wood, bark, branches, seeds, fruits, etc.) by distillation with water vapor or water, squeezing or spinning of fruit peels, or dry distillation of wood. In addition, maceration and extraction are applied. The above processes require chemical solvents, but their residues may remain in the final product, i.e., essential oils. Therefore, only essential oils obtained by natural methods are recommended for use in aromatherapy procedures. The remaining products can be used only for room aromatization or as ingredients in fragrant compositions.

Many scientists have amply demonstrated that the aromatic molecules of essential oils are very effective organic phytochemicals that show antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. They also have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, immune-boosting, analgesic, expectorant, vasodilator, anti-diabetic effects, and many other functions such as mood regulation, circulation promotion, calming effect, memory enhancement, and alertness enhancement.

Aromatherapy is divided into cosmetic aromatherapy (essential oils as ingredients in cosmetic preparations), massage aromatherapy, olfactory aromatherapy, medical aromatherapy, and psycho-aromatherapy, of which the inhalation route is the most popular, and their mechanism of action involves the integration of essential oils into the biological signal of receptor cells in the nose when inhaled. The signals are transmitted through the olfactory bulb to the limbic and hypothalamic parts of the brain. These signals cause the brain to release neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and endorphins, which link our nervous and other body systems, ensuring the desired change and providing a feeling of relief. Serotonin, endorphins, and norepinephrine are released from calming, euphoric, and stimulating oils, respectively, producing the desired effect on the body and mind. Additionally, the penetration potential of the oil to reach the subcutaneous tissues during a massage or bath is also one of the important features of this therapy due to the extremely small molecules of essential oils.

Aromatherapy offers a wide range of possible applications for essential oils in beauty salons, spas, and wellness centers. Depending on the body and skin condition of the client and on their individual needs and preferences, different treatment programs can be prepared, adding the right blend of essential oils to massage preparations, creams, and masks to achieve good efficacy.

Ali, B., Al-Wabel, N. A., Shams, S., Ahamad, A., Khan, S. A., & Anwar, F. (2015). Essential oils used in aromatherapy: A systemic review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 5(8), 601-611.
Michalak, M. (2018). Aromatherapy and methods of applying essential oils. Archives of Physiotherapy and Global Researches, 22, 25-31.

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