What's the difference among smell, odor, and aroma? Of course, smell is one of the five senses, but a smell has a distinctly negative connotation — as in, “What's that smell?” Odor also has an unpleasant affect — as in, “That's certainly a noxious odor.” Aroma, however, conjures up a palette of pleasing fragrances. And it is for just this reason that aromatherapy — the use of specific herbs for their calming properties — has a place in soothing the mind and treating at least one of the symptoms of depression: stress.

Aromatherapy has ancient origins. It can be traced to religious ceremonies and the burning of incense to purify the ceremonial chamber. The Egyptians practiced aromatherapy, as did the Indus Valley civilizations. The ancient Greeks used olive oil, a plentiful agent, to bind the essential oils. The Romans used aromatherapy to scent their bath water. So the history of aromatherapy stretches back into time.

Today, concentrated oils from various parts of specific herbs are used to create healing lotions, sprays, or compresses. These concentrated oils are called essential oils, since they are believed to capture the essence of the desirable plant. Then these oils are mixed with water or alcohol to create a spray and with oil, if the goal is to create a lotion.

Aromatherapy products are for external use only. Aromatherapists believe that the essential oils are absorbed through the skin or inhaled and create the desired calming effect in this way. Lavender is a perennial favorite for aromatherapists, and its recommended use is as a stress reliever. Aromatherapy is considered safe — and it smells good!