The use of essential oils (which
are extracted from herbs, flowers, resin, woods and roots) in
body and skin care treatments is known as aromatherapy. Used as
a healing technique for thousands of years by the Egyptians,
Greeks and Romans, essential oils aid in relaxation, improve
circulation and help the healing of wounds. Aromatherapy
diffusers are utilized to fill the massage room with the scent
of the oils. Specific essential oils are blended by the aroma
therapist and added to a carrier oil, such as almond oil, to be
used in the massage. Each of the oils has its own unique
characteristics and benefits. Use of this technique declined as
the modern pharmaceutical industry developed. However, the
French chemist Gattefossé revived the art by coining the term
aromatherapy and by publishing a book on the subject in 1928.