aromatherapy

noun

aro·​ma·​ther·​a·​py ə-ˌrō-mə-ˈther-ə-pē 

: inhalation or bodily application (as by massage) of fragrant essential oils (as from flowers and fruits) for therapeutic purposes

broadly : the use of aroma to enhance a feeling of well-being

aromatherapeutic

ə-ˌrō-mə-ˌther-ə-ˈpyü-tik 

adjective

aromatherapist

ə-ˌrō-mə-ˈther-ə-pist 

noun

Examples of aromatherapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, aromatherapy uses essential oils to stimulate the olfactory system. —Heather Margonari, Discover Magazine, 28 Nov. 2024

These scents are packed with oil aromatherapy standouts like cedar, orange, and pine to calm the senses. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 1 Nov. 2024

For those who want some seriously calming aromatherapy with their skin care, this lotion is the perfect solution. —Kelsey Eisen, Allure, 28 Oct. 2024

Those familiar with Disney Cruise Line will find its signature Rainforest area onboard as well, a unique experience combining water, steam, and heat therapy with aromatherapy. —Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French aromathérapie, from aroma-, Latinized form of arome aroma + thérapie therapy

Note: The French word was promulgated and apparently coined by the chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé (1881-1950), in Aromathérapie—les huiles essentielles hormones végétales (Paris, 1937) and other publications.

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

aromatherapy

noun

aro·​ma·​ther·​a·​py ə-ˌrō-mə-ˈther-ə-pē 

plural aromatherapies

: inhalation or bodily application (as by massage) of fragrant essential oils (as from flowers and fruits) for therapeutic purposes

Aromatherapy relies on very concentrated "essential" oils from the flowers, leaves, bark, branches, rind or roots of plants with purported healing properties.

—Jane E. Brody, The New York Times

broadly : the use of aroma to enhance a feeling of well-being

aromatherapeutic

-ˌther-ə-ˈpyü-tik 

adjective

aromatherapeutic oils

aromatherapist

-ˈther-ə-pəst 

noun