Aromatherapy: Myths vs Facts You Should Know!

Aromatherapy, the holistic way to physical and mental wellbeing, has gained immense popularity in the recent years. Although, as per some sources this holistic practice has been into use since 60,000 BCE the recent digital trend of wellbeing is largely shaping the increase in demand. 

Unfortunately, social and digital media trends often reveal half-information, creating myths that results to delusions among people. Some believe that aromatherapy is just a passing trend, based on perfumes, while others think that it is capable of instantly curing any sort of illness. 

Getting deeper requires logic to bust those irrelevant myths. So, without any further delay, let’s uncover some true facts that would function as a real-time eye-opener!

Aromatherapy has been identified by Caballero-Gallardo, Quintero-Rincón and Olivero-Verbel (2025) as a proven practice that makes use of plant extracts like roots, bark, flowers etc. for promoting physiological and psychological wellbeing of people. Essential oils are widely used as a part of the practice as it helps in balancing wellbeing while reducing everyday stressors (Vora et al., 2024). This holistic wellbeing practice functions like an art as well as a science, while boosting relaxation, stress relief and overall health balance.

Aromatherapy uses essential oils as an integral part of its holistic wellbeing ritual. The practice embodies both science and art. 

Here’s how Aromatherapy works as a science and an art: 

When an essential oil is inhaled its volatile aromatic molecules travels all the way up to the nasal cavity and binds to the olfactory receptor neurons. What makes this biologically remarkable is the fact that the aromatic molecules travel through the Cranial Nerve I, bypasses the thalamus and projects straight to the limbic system (Cui et al., 2022). The signals that are received by the limbic system are passed on to the hypothalamus which stimulates the autonomic nervous system and hormonal axis, thereby reducing stress and lowering heart rate (Rajmohan and Mohandas, 2007). 

Furthermore, the topically applied essential oils, after dilution with carrier oils, penetrates the skin barrier while entering the systematic circulation of the blood stream (Alhasso, Ghori and Conway, 2022). It helps in directly working on the targeted tissues while relieving pain and different other stressors. Therefore, it makes essential oils, that are used as an integral part of Aromatherapy, all pervading!

Science explores the logic behind something happening. However, art strives to understand a practice that compliments the result. So, the ‘Art’ of blending certain essential oils guarantees potential outcomes, while several others fail to operate. Here’s where the proficiency of a practitioner steps in. 

A master aromatherapist creates an essence in the same way that a perfumer does using top notes, middle notes and base notes. A professional aromatherapist starts off by layering fragrances that evaporates quickly, forms the essence of the perfume and stays behind as a base, respectively (Rowe, 2009). So, the efficiency of the blend rests on the practical knowledge and experience of the aromatherapist. 

However, there are several rituals involved as well, alongside skilled practitioners. Rituals like aesthetic setting, darkened room, scented oil and gentle massage or deep breath that comes from within play an essential role in elevating the experience of embracing aromatherapy (Howes, 2021). So, with all the rituals fulfilled, Aromatherapy plays mysteriously in rejuvenating the mind and the body! 

Fact: While fragrance plays a role, the practice of Aromatherapy focuses on holistic wellness support. It is more than just making something smell nice. Essential oils make use of natural plant ingredients which can affect your state of mind or emotions (Caballero-Gallardo, Quintero-Rincón and Olivero-Verbel, 2025). Although scent is an important part, aromatherapy involves promoting overall health and wellness.

Fact: Aromatherapy is not a magic cure-all remedy. It could be used to help you relax, go to sleep, relieve stress or simply give comfort, but it cannot take the place of medicine for any serious health problems.

Fact: Natural does not mean that anything is always free from any risks. It must be noted that essential oils are extremely potent and caution needs to be exercised when using them as some of them may irritate sensitive skin and trigger allergies, thereby requiring dilution before topical use (Sindle and Martin, 2021).

Fact: Proper usage and recommended dilution are important for safe practice. The use of too much essential oil does not ensure efficiency. In some cases, the application of too much essential oil may result in headache, irritation of the skin or even hypersensitivity.

Fact: Individuals who use aromatherapy may have different experiences because of many variables that affect their reaction to the therapy. Factors such as sensitivity, quality of the oil, emotional state and the method of application might often influence results (Hung et al., 2023). For instance, some individuals may feel an immediate effect while others take time to see an effect.

Fact: The quality of essential oils varies greatly. Pure essential oils that are sourced properly are preferred for aromatherapy. Ingredient transparency and sourcing help in enabling the detection of high-quality oils that are exceptionally potent (Guzmán and Lucia, 2021). Therefore, ensure you use high-quality essential oils.

Fact: Although relaxation may be one of Aromatherapy’s most popular uses, it can also be used for purposes like focusing, increasing energy levels, improving sleeping routines, balancing emotions and general wellness routines based on essential oils used.

Aromatherapy is a practice, which is much more than pleasant fragrance or just a viral wellness trend which will fade out eventually. It has been used since generations and decades for physiological and psychological wellbeing while being strongly rooted in scientific understanding and sensory artistry. 

Nevertheless, there are different myths that have been surrounding this holistic practice while creating certain delusions among people. With informed expectations, the resultant seems more balanced and worthy rather than fixing unrealistic assumptions, which might not be fulfilling. 

So, keep identifying myths and use logic to bust them for identifying the true potential of aromatherapy!

• Alhasso, B., Ghori, M.U. and Conway, B.R., 2022. Systematic review on the effectiveness of essential and carrier oils as skin penetration enhancers in pharmaceutical formulations. Scientia Pharmaceutica, 90(1), p.14. https://www.mdpi.com/2218-0532/90/1/14
• Caballero-Gallardo, K., Quintero-Rincón, P. and Olivero-Verbel, J., 2025. Aromatherapy and essential oils: holistic strategies in complementary and alternative medicine for integral wellbeing. Plants, 14(3), p.400. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11821193/
• Cui, J., Li, M., Wei, Y., Li, H., He, X., Yang, Q., Li, Z., Duan, J., Wu, Z., Chen, Q. and Chen, B., 2022. Inhalation aromatherapy via brain-targeted nasal delivery: natural volatiles or essential oils on mood disorders. Frontiers in pharmacology, 13, p.860043. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9041268/
• Guzmán, E. and Lucia, A., 2021. Essential oils and their individual components in cosmetic products. Cosmetics, 8(4), p.114. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/8/4/114
• Howes, D. ed., 2021. Empire of the senses: The sensual culture reader. Routledge. https://www.crassh.cam.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Empire-of-the-Senses_25_01_14_11_30_11.pdf
• Hung, C.L., Lin, Y.L., Chou, C.M. and Wang, C.J., 2023, January. Efficacy of aromatherapy at relieving the work-related stress of nursing staff from various hospital departments during COVID-19. In Healthcare (Vol. 11, No. 2, p. 157). MDPI. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9859127/
• Rajmohan, V. and Mohandas, E.A.S.T., 2007. The limbic system. Indian journal of psychiatry, 49(2), pp.132-139. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2917081/
• Rowe, D. ed., 2009. Chemistry and technology of flavours and fragrances. John Wiley & Sons. https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=HC11GU5KDtgC&oi=fnd&pg=PR1&dq=Chemistry+and+Technology+of+Flavors+and+Fragrances+Edited+by+David+J.
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• Sindle, A. and Martin, K., 2021. Art of prevention: Essential oils-natural products not necessarily safe. International journal of women's dermatology, 7(3), pp.304-308. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8243157/
• Vora, L.K., Gholap, A.D., Hatvate, N.T., Naren, P., Khan, S., Chavda, V.P., Balar, P.C., Gandhi, J. and Khatri, D.K., 2024. Essential oils for clinical aromatherapy: A comprehensive review. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 330, p.118180. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874124004793