Aromatherapy is a holistic treatment for promoting health and well-being. Sometimes referred to as essential oil therapy, it makes use of plant extracts. Aromatherapy uses essential oils medicinally for improving the health of the body, spirit and mind.

Essential oils and other aromatic plant compounds are used in aromatherapy. These have antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal and antioxidant properties as they are believed to have varying degrees of antimicrobial activity. Techniques such as massage, bathing, inhalation, compresses and hair and scalp treatments are available in aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy is found to be beneficial in managing pain, improving sleep quality, soothing sore joints, easing the discomforts of labour, and reducing stress, anxiety and agitation. It also helps fight virus, bacteria and fungus, in addition to treating migraines and headaches.

Aromatherapy makes use of a mixture of different essential oils such as lemongrass oil, cinnamon oil, lemon oil, tea tree oil, lavender oil, and rosemary oil. Eucalyptus and clary sage are also used in aromatherapy.

Typically, aromatherapy is employed as an application on skin or inhaled. Inhaling essential oils help stimulate the olfactory system - the part of our brain connected to smell. Molecules of the essential oils that enter through our nose or mouth eventually reach our lungs, from where they pass to other parts of our body.