Aromatherapy is exactly what it sounds likethe process by which therapists use various natural aromas (plants and oils are frequently sources of these aromas) in the hopes of promoting balance and overall health to someones life.

The practice of aromatherapy has become commonplace among holistic healers today, but it has actually been around for thousands of years. It was used in ancient times by Chinese, Greek and Egyptian cultures. The Egyptians use of aromatherapy is similar to how it is used today, as they would extract essential oils from aromatic plants for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Essential oilsfound in all aromatic plants, such as lavenderare used in combination with other oils from aromatic plants to create the desired scent.

The term aromatherapy wasnt coined until 1928 by Rene Maurice Gattefosse. Gattefosse was a French chemist who dedicated much of his lifes work to researching the healing processes of essential oils found in plants.

Naturally, aromatherapy does not necessarily have to be administered by a therapist, although that is one of the branches of aromatherapy (also known as clinical aromatherapy); the other two are aromachology (the study of how odors affect the mind) as well as home aromatherapy. The burning of aromatic candles or incense is a type of home aromatherapy.

There are many skeptics of aromatherapy and its healing powers, many of whom call it a pseudoscience. They argue that while aromas like lavender and rosemary may be pleasant and bring serene, ethereal sensations, there is no evidence of actual healing powers or overall medical effectiveness.

With this in mind, the electronic manual will help you separate myth from what is reality by giving in-depth detail on aromatherapy and its overall effectiveness. Some of the things youll learn include whether aromatherapy can replace drugs, why it is effective (despite skeptics misgivings), what aromatherapy should not be used for, what scents to use when youre looking to relax and much, much more!