aromatherapy

American  

[uh-roh-muh-ther-uh-pee] / əˌroʊ məˈθɛr ə pi /

noun

1. the use of fragrances to affect or alter a person's mood or behavior.

2. treatment of facial skin by the application of fragrant floral and herbal substances.

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aromatherapy British  

/ əˌrəʊməˈθɛrəpɪ /

noun

1. the use of fragrant essential oils extracted from plants as a treatment in complementary medicine to relieve tension and cure certain minor ailments

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Other Word Forms

• aromatherapist noun

Etymology

Origin of aromatherapy

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Persistent blackouts have left many pieces unfinished, including candleholders and aromatherapy huts.

From The Wall Street Journal

Apparently she wants skin cream, candles, cheap jewelry, expensive pajamas, aromatherapy shower pods, and a pillow that does heated shiatsu massage.

From Barron's

Known in Japan as an ion bath, it combines many spa treatments in one: a heated, weighted feeling to relax and soothe the body and a calming aromatherapy to pique the senses.

From Los Angeles Times

These treatments range from acupuncture and homeopathy, to aromatherapy, meditation and colonic irrigation.

From BBC

The aromatherapy head massage was a dry one, in which Nevins rubbed tingly-feeling tea tree oil into my scalp and then applied an electronic, cephalopod-like device, its multiple arms whirling away tension.

From Los Angeles Times