Aromatherapy: Essential Oils, Benefits, and How It Works
Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 2 Nov 2026
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics
Synopsis
Learn how aromatherapy uses essential oils and plant compounds to support mood, stress relief, and well-being, plus its history and clinical uses.
At a Glance
- 1 - Aromatherapy products do not need FDA approval, so their quality can vary.
- 2 - Some citrus oils, such as bergamot, can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.
- 3 - The term aromatherapie was coined by the French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse in 1937.
- 4 - It takes about 220 pounds of lavender flowers to make about 1 pound of lavender essential oil.
Topic Definition
- Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a practice that uses plant materials and aromatic plant oils, including essential oils and other fragrant compounds, to influence a person's mood and mental or physical well-being. The oils are typically extracted from specific plants and then applied by massaging them into the skin, inhaling them through the air, or adding them to bath water for a soothing effect. Practitioners believe that inhaling these scents activates the limbic system of the brain and that oils absorbed through the skin enter the bloodstream to support the immune, nervous, and circulatory systems. It is generally offered as a complementary therapy alongside standard care rather than a replacement for professional medical treatment, and while many users report benefits such as stress relief and improved mood, scientific evidence supporting its wider therapeutic claims remains limited.
Overview
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils and other aromatic plant compounds to improve mood and physical or psychological well-being. Essential oils are highly concentrated oils taken from flowers, leaves, bark, peel, and roots, usually by steam distillation or pressing. Common oils include lavender, Roman chamomile, tea tree, peppermint, lemon, bergamot, geranium, ginger, and cedarwood, and each has a different chemical makeup that affects how it smells and how it acts on the body [National Cancer Institute, n.d.].
Aromatherapy can be offered as a complementary therapy alongside standard medical care or, more controversially, as a form of alternative medicine used instead of it. Health agencies support only the complementary approach, since conventional treatments have been tested in clinical trials and aromatherapy has not been shown to treat disease.
A Short History
People have used aromatic plants for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used scented oils and resins in medicine, cosmetics, and embalming, and the Greek physician Hippocrates is said to have recommended aromatic baths and massage. Modern aromatherapy grew from the work of the French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, who studied the properties of essential oils in the early 1900s and coined the term 'aromatherapie' in a book published in 1937. He grouped oils by the effects he believed they had, such as antiseptic, stimulating, and calming.
How Aromatherapy Is Used
Essential oils are very concentrated: it takes about 220 pounds of lavender flowers to make about 1 pound of lavender oil. They are usually breathed in or applied to the skin. They can be inhaled from a diffuser, from a few drops on a cotton ball or a personal inhaler, or with steam. For use on the skin, they are diluted in a carrier oil, lotion, or bath water and are often combined with massage. Essential oils should not be swallowed unless a qualified health professional advises it, and they should be stored out of reach of children and pets.
How It Is Thought to Work
When an essential oil is inhaled, scent molecules stimulate nerve cells in the nose that send signals to the olfactory system and the limbic system of the brain, areas involved in emotion, memory, and behavior. This may explain why scents can affect mood and stress. When oils are applied to the skin, small amounts of some compounds are absorbed. Practitioners also believe that oils can support the immune, nervous, or circulatory systems, but these claims have not been proven.
What the Research Shows
Most clinical studies of aromatherapy have been done in people with cancer and other serious illnesses, looking at anxiety, nausea, vomiting, sleep, and pain. The results are mixed: some studies report improved mood, anxiety, sleep, nausea, and pain, while others find no change in symptoms, and no studies of aromatherapy used to treat cancer itself have been published in a peer-reviewed journal [National Cancer Institute, n.d.]. Aromatherapy massage may ease anxiety in the short term. There is not enough evidence that aromatherapy treats infections, burns, depression, high blood pressure, or other medical conditions, so it is best seen as a way to support comfort and relaxation, not as a replacement for medical care.
Aromatherapy in Hospitals and Care Settings
Some hospitals, hospices, and nursing homes offer clinical aromatherapy programs, run by trained nurses or therapists, to help patients with anxiety, nausea, and trouble sleeping. Oils may be offered on cotton balls, in personal inhalers, or on inhalation patches that avoid contact with the skin. Programs generally use a small set of oils, check for allergies and breathing problems first, and record how patients respond.
Safety of Essential Oils
Safety testing has found very few side effects when essential oils are used properly [National Cancer Institute, n.d.]. Undiluted oils can irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions, and some citrus oils, such as bergamot, can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Strong scents can trigger asthma symptoms or headaches in some people. Lavender and tea tree oils have shown some hormone-like effects. Aromatherapy products do not need approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so their quality can vary. People who are pregnant, have asthma or epilepsy, or take prescription medicines should ask a health care provider before using essential oils.
Aromatherapy Facts
- Aromatherapy massage is one of the most popular complementary therapies among people with cancer.
- The aroma of essential oils fades quickly when the oil is left open to the air.
- Many people classify aromatherapy as an alternative treatment, while others use it as a complementary therapy alongside conventional care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is aromatherapy safe during pregnancy?
Some essential oils are not recommended during pregnancy, so it is best to consult a doctor or qualified practitioner before using aromatherapy while pregnant.
Can essential oils be applied directly to the skin?
Most essential oils are highly concentrated and are usually diluted with a carrier oil or lotion before skin contact to reduce the risk of irritation.
Are essential oils safe to use around pets?
Certain essential oils can be toxic to cats, dogs, and other animals, so pet owners should research each oil and consult a veterinarian before using them at home.
What is the difference between essential oils and fragrance oils?
Essential oils are extracted from plants, while fragrance oils are often synthetic scent blends that are not used for therapeutic aromatherapy purposes.
How should essential oils be stored?
Essential oils are best kept in dark glass bottles away from heat and direct sunlight to help preserve their quality and slow down deterioration.
Can children use aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy can be used with children in some cases, but oils and doses should be chosen carefully and ideally under guidance from a health professional.
Do you need training to practice aromatherapy professionally?
Many regions offer certification and training programs for aromatherapists, and formal education helps practitioners use essential oils safely and effectively.
Can diffusing essential oils trigger asthma?
Yes, strong scents from diffusers can irritate the airways and trigger asthma or allergy symptoms in some people. Use them in a well-ventilated room for short periods, and avoid them around people with breathing problems.
References
- National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Aromatherapy with essential oils (PDQ) - Patient version.
Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team. Last updated: