Essential oil

An essential oil is a liquid containing high concentrations of plant substances obtained by extracting or distilling volatile molecules from the plant of origin. They mainly contain terpenoids and aromatic molecules. Essential oils from different plants therefore have different properties depending on their original composition.

Aromatherapy, a gentle form of medicine?

They are used by some people in aromatherapy, taken orally by mouth, inhaled, or topically on the skin to treat a large number of diseases. Aromatherapy is classified as one of the soft medicines although both its efficacy and safety have been questioned as there are many compounds in the essential oils and their compositions are therefore not fully regulated. They are also not recommended for young children.