What does aromatherapy mean?
Aromatherapy is the practice of using aromatic plant extracts — most commonly essential oils — to support physical and emotional well-being. The oils may be inhaled directly, dispersed into the air with a diffuser, or applied to the skin, usually diluted in a carrier oil during massage. Practitioners believe scents such as lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus can influence mood, ease stress, aid sleep, or relieve minor discomfort. Although fragrant plants have been used medicinally for millennia across many cultures, aromatherapy as a named discipline emerged in twentieth-century France and is today classified as a form of complementary and alternative medicine. It appears frequently in spa, hospitality, and wellness settings, and its popularity has made it a familiar word in everyday English. While scientific evidence for many of its claims remains limited, it is generally regarded as low-risk when oils are used properly, and it retains strong connotations of relaxation, natural remedies, and self-care.
nounThe therapeutic use of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils, typically inhaled or applied to the skin during massage, to promote physical and psychological well-being.
- The practice of using aromatic essential oils, whether inhaled or applied to the skin, to promote health and well-being.
"She booked an aromatherapy session at the spa, hoping the lavender oil would ease her stress."
"Many hotels now offer aromatherapy as part of their spa packages, diffusing eucalyptus oil in the treatment rooms."
"Some hospitals use aromatherapy alongside conventional care to help patients relax before procedures."
Rarely used; 'aromatherapy' normally functions as an uncountable noun referring to the practice in general. A plural would appear only when distinguishing distinct systems or schools of aromatherapy.
"The textbook compared several aromatherapies practiced around the world."
The word 'aromatherapy' was coined only in the 20th century — by a French perfumer who turned to lavender after a lab explosion — yet people have been healing with scented plants for thousands of years.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of aromatherapy
The word 'aromatherapy' combines 'aroma', from Greek 'arōma' meaning spice or fragrant substance, with 'therapy', from Greek 'therapeia' meaning attendance or treatment. It was coined in the twentieth century, popularized by French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé, whose work on essential oils after a laboratory accident helped establish the term. Its two Greek roots also give English the related words 'aroma', 'aromatic', and 'therapeutic'.
Related word forms
How aromatherapy is actually used
Aromatherapy is a neutral, everyday term widely used in wellness, spa, and healthcare contexts. It is often grouped under complementary and alternative medicine, and while popular for relaxation, many of its stronger therapeutic claims are not firmly supported by clinical evidence — so careful writers tend to frame it as promoting well-being rather than curing disease.
Easily confused with aromatherapy
Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on highly diluted substances taken orally, whereas aromatherapy uses concentrated aromatic plant oils inhaled or applied to the skin.