Aromatherapy can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit.  It is an art and science which seeks to explore the physiological, psychological and spiritual realm of the individual's response to aromatic extracts as well as to observe and enhance the individual's innate healing process.  As a holistic medicine, Aromatherapy is both a preventative approach as well as an active treatment during acute and chronic stages of illness or disease.

Fragrance is the substance of memories. One whiff of a childhood aroma can set the memory in motion, bringing back thoughts, faces, and feelings long forgotten. How does this happen? Fragrance consists of volatile molecules that float in the aire. Millions of olfactory receptor cells line the nose. Aroma causes these nerves to fire and send messages to the limbic area of the brain. From there, the messages travel to other parts of the brain, activating thought and memory. The pituitary gland is also stimulated to release chemical messages that travel via the blood to glands and organs that create physical body responses. Hence a scent has the power to activate a number of physical and emotional responses. And it all happens in less than a second!

Aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing fields in alternative medicine. It is widely used at home, clinics and hospitals for a variety of applications such as pain relief for women in labor pain, relieving pain caused by the side effects of the chemotherapy undergone by the cancer patients, and rehabilitation of cardiac patients.

University researchers in Japan found that diffusing certain aromas in an office environment dramatically improved mental accuracy and concentrations. Diffused lemon resulted in 54% fewer errors, Jasmine 33% fewer errors.

At the University of Cincinnati, Dr. William N. Dember found that inhaling peppermint oil increased the mental accuracy by 28%. When aromas were diffused during test taking, scores increased by as much as 50%. It has been documented to improve concentration and mental acuity. University of Miami researchers found that inhalation of lavender oil increased beta waves in the brain, suggesting heightened relaxation. It also reduced depression and improved cognitive performance (Diego et al.; 1998).

A 2001 Osaka Kyoiku University study found that lavender reduced mental stress and increased alertness (Motomura et al,; 2001).

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