Strictly speaking, the definition of aromatherapy means ”a therapy of aromas”. Thus, an expanded definition could be as follows: the use of essential oils to maintain and promote the health and vitality of the spirit, the emotions and the physical body. This incorporates many practical methods of application, such as inhalation, bath, compress and massage. There are at present about three hundred essential oils, which are applied to medicine, to the food and cosmetic industries. These aromatic liquid oils are extracted from certain species of flowers, grasses, fruits, seeds, leaves, roots or trees. Studies of the therapeutic properties of essential oils suggest that there are effects to increase blood circulation, improve the efficiency of the immune system, elevate mood and to alleviate stress. Today, aromatherapy is widely practised as one of the most popular complementary medicine therapies in Britain.