Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile liquid plant materials, known as essential oils (EOs), and other scented compounds from plants for the purpose of affecting a person's mood or health.
Aromatherapy is a generic term that refers to any of the various traditions that make use of essential oils sometimes in combination with other alternative medical practices and spiritual beliefs. It has a particularly Western currency and persuasion. Medical treatment involving aromatic scents may exist outside of the West, but may or may not be included in the term 'aromatherapy'.

The main branches of aromatherapy include:
aerial diffusion for environmental fragrancing or aerial disinfection, direct inhalation for respiratory disinfection, decongestion, expectoration, topical applications for general massage, baths, compresses, therapeutic skin care, oral, rectal, vaginal interfaces for infection, congestion, parasites, perfumery for body fragrancing, annointments.