Aromatherapy is a gentle healing art that bases itself around the use of essential oils for the treatment and / or prevention of disease. It has evolved over thousands of years, and is an recognized form of medicine, going all the way back to biblical times. It can be a supplementary treatment, used along with conventional, treating the actual problem rather than covering it up, as more conventional methods of treatment tend to do.

Aromatherapy doesn't come with the, sometimes, unavoidable symptoms that are often associated with conventional treatments.

Aromatherapy is the systematic use of essential oils, known also as volatile plant oils, consisting of aromatic molecules, which are easily absorbed into the skin. Incense is a popular adjunct amongst aroma therapists.

Basic and herbal are the two types of Aromatherapy. The major difference between the two is that herbal is based more on the use of herbs than on essential oils. The limbic system and emotional centre of the brain are activated by the use of herbs, which also kills microbes and fungi. Incense is also be used for this but results vary.

There are hundreds of herbs that are used in herbal aromatherapy, and this includes birch, mandarin, jojoba, lavender, jasmine, grapefruit, nutmeg, citronella, cajeput, clove, fir, gardenia, ginger, basil, lemon grass, lime, pine, rose, marjoram, sage, sassafras, spearmint, thyme, ylang ylang, rosemary, sandalwood, and patchouli, all of which are available in incense form as well.

Of all the herbs used in aromatherapy one of the most common is Chamomile, with its distinctive smell of apple, it helps to soothe tired muscles and improve sleep. It also promotes calmness and emotional peace. Fears and mood swings are eased with the use of Geranium, which also refreshes and relaxes the body.

Used frequently in herbal aromatherapy is lavender, a herb that helps accent sensitivity and self-expression, particularly for the embarrassed or shy. It helps in the treatment of a variety of ailments and illnesses, from arthritis, joint aches, and chest aches, to the common flu and cold.

One of the major benefits of aromatherapy is that it helps to treat the actual problem rather than just cover up the symptoms associated with it. This form of aromatherapy is popular throughout the world. This means that recipients will experience more long-term effects rather than short-term satisfaction.

Aromatherapy is used as an alternative to conventional medicine, now even some doctors recommend aromatherapy to their patients, as this form of treatment has no side effects or symptoms. The burning of incense in their surgery is a sure fire way of identifying these doctors.