Utilizing plants and their 'essence' dates back many centuries. Essential oils were frequently referred to as the 'Life Force' of plants, and their knowledge and use date back centuries. People gradually discovered the properties of plants that could be put to various uses, for example as fragrances, teas, medicines, and aphrodisiacs. Not unexpectedly, often the secrets of plant aromas were reserved for kings, priests, or other favored elites

Aromatherapy may be defined as the practice of using volatile plant oils, including essential oils for psychological and physical well-being.

It is, however, important to note that perfume oils, also known as fragrance oils or "fragrances", are not the same as essential oils.

Inhaled essential oils are believed to offer both psychological and physical benefits; not only does the aroma of the natural essential oil stimulate the brain to trigger a reaction, but the natural constituents (naturally occurring chemicals) of the essential oil are drawn into the lungs and can also supply physical benefit.

Unfortunately, not all ready-made aromatherapy products labeled with the word 'aromatherapy' are pure and natural. Products that contain artificial ingredients do not provide true aromatherapy benefits at all. At worst, they provide no benefit. At best, they provide only a fraction of the benefit that natural products supply. Buyers seeking true aromatherapy products must look at the ingredients within a product to ensure that the product does not contain fragrance oils or impure (chemical) components.