Can something as simple as a scent have all the benefits that aromatherapy claims it does? Though medical practitioners pooh pooh the practice of using aromas and essential oils therapeutically, there is no doubt that, for some people at least, aromatherapy has positive results. And studies are starting to back all the anecdotal evidence up. For instance, a study at Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia concluded that athletes ran faster, had increased grip strength and could do more push-ups when they inhaled the scent of pure peppermint oil. Researchers speculate that because peppermint lifts your mood, it also boosts your performance.

And why do aromas have such an instantaneous affect on mood? Primarily because the olfactory nerves that process your sense of smell are directly linked to the hippocampus and amygdala, the emotional centers of the brain. Studies with brain wave frequency has shown that smelling lavender increases alpha waves in the back of the head, which are associated with relaxation. Fragrance of jasmine increases beta waves in the front of the head, which are associated with a more alert state.

The basic tool kit of aromatherapists is made up of essential oils, which are highly concentrated aromatic extracts, cold-pressed or distilled from a variety of aromatic plant material including grasses, leaves, flowers, needles & twigs, peel of fruit, wood and roots. These oils with their own unique chemical components can modify your brain reactions by affecting the release of certain neurotransmitters (a.k.a. "brain chemicals") or hormones.

Essential oils have distinct properties and effects. For instance, eucalyptus, basil, peppermint, citrus and rosemary are the five scents most associated with energy. A recent study in the International Journal of Neuroscience showed that people who sniffed a rosemary scent for three minutes showed increased mental alertness and were able to complete math problems faster. Similar results were found with the other "energy-giving" oils.

Lavender, on the other hand, is noted for its calming effect, wonderful for insomnia, stress and for quieting down children. Other helpful scents include spiced apple to reduce stress; vanilla, jasmine and lavender to relax and calm; and citrus, spicy and green fragrances for energy.

Aromatherapy will not cure disease, but it can help treat symptoms and lift one's mood, and in that way can contribute to a person's recovery, or well-being. For instance, aromatherapy can help enhance a cancer patient's quality of life by improving the patient's mood, calming fears and helping to ease nausea during chemotherapy treatments. Someday we may see aromatherapy used in combination with traditional medicine to reduce anxiety during medical procedures, childbirth and in many other circumstances where stress levels run high.

Two notes of caution: essential oils affect people differently and some scents are not recommended for use on some people. It's always best to consult an aromatherapist before using essential oils, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions.