The Science of Essential Oils: Does Using Scents Make Sense?

More and more Americans may have heard some buzz about essential oils, and may be experimenting with them in hopes of improving their moods or feeling better. People may turn to essential oils as part of aromatherapy, an alternative-medicine approach in which these highly concentrated, aromatic plant oils are used in small amounts in hopes of improving someone's physical or emotional health. Essential oils are mixtures, sometimes containing almost 300 substances, said Gerhard Buchbauer, a profes