An essential oil is a concentrated, hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils or aetherolea, or simply as the "oil of" the plant from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove. Oil is "essential" in the sense that it carries a distinctive scent, or essence, of the plant. Essential oils do not as a group has any specific chemical or pharmaceutical properties in common. Various essential oils have been used medicinally at different periods in history. Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses essential oils. There are two basic mechanisms to explain the purported effects of aromatherapy. One is the influence of aroma on the brain, especially the limbic system through the olfactory system. The other is the direct pharmacological effects of the essential oils. Studies of aromatherapy in combination with other treatment had show positive effects. The use of essential oils in massage is a fantastic way to maximize the healing power of the massage itself. The purpose of using oil in a massage is to facilitate the gliding over the skin. When combined with essential oils, a massage can have a powerful calming or energizing effect, depending on the oil chosen and the strokes of the therapist (quick movements will stimulate and slow movements relax). The various oils contain ingredients for nourishing the skin and promoting health. Many natural oils are mixed to develop the perfect aroma to promote mood, to enhance the senses, or to deliver more healing qualities. So it is always good to used essential oil during your massage session.