aromatherapy
noun
aro·ma·ther·a·py ə-ˌrō-mə-ˈther-ə-pē 
: inhalation or bodily application (as by massage) of fragrant essential oils (as from flowers and fruits) for therapeutic purposes
broadly : the use of aroma to enhance a feeling of well-being
aromatherapeutic
ə-ˌrō-mə-ˌther-ə-ˈpyü-tik
adjective aromatherapist
ə-ˌrō-mə-ˈther-ə-pist
noun 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Officials blamed their illnesses on a contaminated aromatherapy spray imported from India. 
Mike Stobbe, ajc, 27 July 2022 Officials blamed their illnesses on a contaminated aromatherapy spray imported from India. Mike Stobbe, Hartford Courant, 27 July 2022 Best For: Your friend who uses perfume as personal aromatherapy. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 8 July 2022 This two-in-one body wash and soak features Epsom salts to help relax sore muscles and lavender extract for aromatherapy benefits. April Franzino, Good Housekeeping, 2 June 2022 Dotted around the space are cash-and-carry items customers often impulsively purchase in person, but ignore online: dishware, candles, and aromatherapy diffusers. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 31 May 2022 Encourage your mother-in-law to practice self-care with these aromatherapy shower steamers that come in a variety of comforting scents like lavender and eucalyptus. Martha Sorren, Woman's Day, 29 Apr. 2022 With Saje's Pocket Farmacy essential oils kit, your mom can harness all the wellness-boosting goodness of aromatherapy on the go. Noma Nazish, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2022 The Duet Retreat looks to strengthen your bond through reflexology, forest bathing, an aromatherapy massage for two, connection meditation, and more. Perri Ormont Blumberg, Travel + Leisure, 19 June 2022 See More
Mike Stobbe, ajc, 27 July 2022 Officials blamed their illnesses on a contaminated aromatherapy spray imported from India. Mike Stobbe, Hartford Courant, 27 July 2022 Best For: Your friend who uses perfume as personal aromatherapy. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 8 July 2022 This two-in-one body wash and soak features Epsom salts to help relax sore muscles and lavender extract for aromatherapy benefits. April Franzino, Good Housekeeping, 2 June 2022 Dotted around the space are cash-and-carry items customers often impulsively purchase in person, but ignore online: dishware, candles, and aromatherapy diffusers. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 31 May 2022 Encourage your mother-in-law to practice self-care with these aromatherapy shower steamers that come in a variety of comforting scents like lavender and eucalyptus. Martha Sorren, Woman's Day, 29 Apr. 2022 With Saje's Pocket Farmacy essential oils kit, your mom can harness all the wellness-boosting goodness of aromatherapy on the go. Noma Nazish, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2022 The Duet Retreat looks to strengthen your bond through reflexology, forest bathing, an aromatherapy massage for two, connection meditation, and more. Perri Ormont Blumberg, Travel + Leisure, 19 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from French aromathérapie, from aroma-, Latinized form of arome aroma + thérapie therapy
Note: The French word was promulgated and apparently coined by the chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé (1881-1950), in Aromathérapie—les huiles essentielles hormones végétales (Paris, 1937) and other publications.
First Known Use
1949, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
aromatherapy
noun
aro·ma·ther·a·py ə-ˌrō-mə-ˈther-ə-pē
plural aromatherapies
: inhalation or bodily application (as by massage) of fragrant essential oils (as from flowers and fruits) for therapeutic purposes
Aromatherapy relies on very concentrated "essential" oils from the flowers, leaves, bark, branches, rind or roots of plants with purported healing properties. Jane E. Brody, The New York Times
Jane E. Brody, The New York Times broadly : the use of aroma to enhance a feeling of well-being