Essential oils are also known as ethereal or volatile oils. They contain a volatile aroma and are distilled from plants. Essential oils are termed 'essential' because they carry the essence or the distinctive scent of the plant they are distilled from. Essential oils differ from fatty or vegetable oils as they are volatile (change to vapor when they make contact with air).

These oils are thus very effectively used in aromatherapy, a form of alternative healing, to treat numerous ailments. Essential oils are however too potent to be used on the skin directly and are mixed with 'carrier' oils like sesame or almond oils which are called vegetable/fatty oils. These vegetable or fatty oils are different from essential oils as they are not volatile but they serve an important function in aromatherapy as essential oils are highly soluble in vegetable oils and are easily absorbed by the skin. Aromatherapy uses essential oils in the treatment of several kinds of ailments using at least three modes of application. These modes include direct inhalation, aerial diffusion and topical applications. Direct inhalation is useful for decongestion, disinfection and expectoration and topical applications are specifically useful for baths, body massages, therapeutic skin care and compresses. Several types of essential oils, phytoncides, absolutes and infusions are used during aromatherapy.

The aroma therapist, a specialist who practices aromatherapy, treats diseases with the help of the aromatic effect of the oils on the brain through the olfactory system and through the pharmacological effect of the essential oils on the body. Lavender oil is one of the oils popularly used in aromatherapy. It is a steam distilled essential oil with a thin consistency and slightly yellow in color. Lavender essential oil possesses a sweet, fresh, floral, mildly fruity and herbaceous aroma. Lavender essential oil is very effective in the treatment of allergies, acne, asthma, itching, athlete's foot, chicken pox, stretch marks, migraine and insect bites. It is also a great reliever of labor pain, whooping cough, hypertension, depression, anxiety and rheumatism.

Peppermint essential oil is also popularly used in aromatherapy treatments. It is effective in the treatment of scabies, asthma, fever, colic, sinusitis and nausea. It is important to remember that no essential oil should be consumed internally without the directions of a professional aroma therapist. Tea tree oil is popularly used in aromatherapy for the treatment of chicken pox, acne, candida, corns, cold sores, ringworm and oily skin, among others.