A century ago, young women recognized the power of aromatherapy though it hadn’t yet been called that name. A dab of vanilla served as a perfume and rose petals were dropped into soap as it was being made. There were plenty of other places that scent was used to make life more pleasant.

There are few things more inviting and relaxing to many people than a tub filled with warm water, delicious-smelling bubbles and several candles giving off their particular scents. That’s really all there is to aromatherapy – using various scents, oils and elements to create a specific atmosphere. But it’s more complicated than simply dropping some stuff that smells good in the same cooking pot and lighting the fire.

Aromatherapy has become an art with an entire industry built around it. Aromatherapy has – in one way or another – prompted several million dollars in buying and selling each year. From candles to bath oils, the tools of the trade are sometimes very complex. One can earn degrees from several schools on the arts related to aromatherapy. But if you’re just looking to learn some on your own for your own personal information, you’ll find some very interesting sites online. You’ll find lots of information about essential oils, including what’s good for you and what’s not.

There are two reasons people choose the various oils and scents used in aromatherapy. One is simple – they like the smell. It may be something that reminds them of another place and time (cinnamon, ginger or vanilla are among the top choices here), or just a smell they like without a real reason.

The other reason to choose a particular scent is for its healing and restorative powers. Grapefruit is one of those smells that some people may not care for, but it’s cited as oil that can help with situations of stress, fear or tiredness. Think it’s so much nonsense? A study released recently cited the fact that men tended to guess women’s age at an average of six years younger than their true age – when that woman was wearing a grapefruit scent. The study was reputable, but it gives rise to the question, “why?” Were the men affected by the smell of grapefruit? Or was it that the women found confidence and lost some of their fatigue when they smelled the grapefruit? Either way, the study gives at least some credence to the art of aromatherapy.

You’ll find that aromatherapy takes some time and dedication if you want to garner the intended effects. You may have to experiment some to get the scents and oils that are best for you.