If you want to try aromatherapy, you can consult an aromatherapist — that is, a person who claims to be an expert in aromatherapy. Because many countries require no standard training program or licensing to practice, only you can judge the competence of a practitioner.

Plenty of beauty salons and spas offer aromatherapy facials and aromatherapy foot massage, alongside pedicures, reflexology foot massage, and other mysteriously named special treatments. This kind of pampering can make you feel great (at least emotionally) — but it can also cost you a bundle. Aromatherapy facials and massages can easily cost $65 or more, and the mysterious specials can run you hundreds of dollars.

Even buying essential oils — assuming that they’re really pure — can be costly because the process takes a whole lot of plant to produce a tiny bit of oil. But there’s no question that using aromatherapy at home is the frugal way to go. Here are some ways you can do it:

Inhale a few drops of essential oil from a handkerchief or cotton ball.

Pump fragrant molecules into the air with a steam inhaler or a device called a diffusor.

Drop the essential oil into your bath.

Add a few drops to a hot or cold compress (apply to aches and pains).

Rub creams or lotions that contain essential oils into your skin.

Take the oils internally (orally, rectally, or vaginally) — usually a bad idea. If you do start putting these substances into your body, consider them as herbal remedies and take precautions accordingly — preferably under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care practitioner.

Freshen your air by adding a few drops to your laundry, humidifier, or old (aroma-challenged) potpourri.

TIP: Try choosing an aromatherapist who knows a lot about organic chemistry and the systems of the human body and who has extensive experience blending essential oils. If you live in a country (such as Great Britain) with legal standards for aromatherapy training and certification, all the better. Another good bet is to consult someone with stellar credentials in another field of health care — Ayurvedic medicine, naturopathy, or traditional Chinese medicine, for example.

Helpful Links:
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/aromatherapy/