Aromatherapy suggests that you can extract volatile, or aromatic, compounds from plants and deliver them to the body. They are delivered via vapor or a topical solution. The purpose of the process is to alter mood, cognitive function or health.
Essential oils were traditionally used as antiseptics. They prevent infections. But over time, the focus on the benefits of aromatherapy scents has shifted. In the past, they were used as topical treatments. Now, they are used to influence the brain. It is believed that aromatic compounds are absorbed through the olfactory system. Then, they interact with the brain’s limbic system. This interaction creates a minor and temporary change in brain chemistry.