Essential oils and their use in aromatherapy

Today, the search for alternative methods of treatment and supplementing or accompanying drug therapy with the approaches and means of traditional medicine, such as aromatherapy, is becoming increasingly popular. Essential oils are used in aromatherapy as the main component for the treatment of a number of diseases. Essential oils are extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots, fruits and other plant parts by various methods. Essential oils can penetrate the body when applied topically (percutaneously) or through inhalation and potentially influence an individual. In addition, such procedures are accompanied by pronounced pleasant sensations that have a positive effect on the emotional and psychological state of the patient. As soon as essential oils enter the body, biotransformation and effects on the body take place. Aromatherapy has various techniques for using essential oils, and mixing different oils is widely used to obtain a therapeutic effect. Aromatherapy techniques with essential oils are more effective when used in combination therapy with scientific medicine, changing the patient’s lifestyle. This review discusses general information regarding the therapeutic, cosmetic, psychological and safety issues of aromatherapy, as well as the various etheric compounds most commonly used in aromatherapy