Each of the essential oils used in Aromatherapy can be used either alone or in combinations to create a desired effect. Before using essential oils as part of an Aromatherapy treatment, it is important to understand the effect that the oils  have,and how it works.

The oils are found in different parts of the plant such as the flowers, twigs, leaves and bark, or in the rind of fruit. For example, in roses it is found in the flowers, in basil it is in the leaves, in sandalwood in the wood, and so on.

The methods used to extract the oil are time consuming and expensive and require a high degree of expertise. Given that it takes in excess of 220 pounds of rose petals to produce only 4 or 5 teaspoonfuls of oil, it is a process probably best left to professionals

Due to the large quantity of plant material required, pure essential oils are expensive, but they are also highly effective - only a few drops at a time are required to achieve the desired effect.

Synthetic oils are available at a lesser price, but they simply do not have the healing power of the natural oils.