There is a bewildering array of aromatherapy fragrances to choose from, but it's easy to get the hang of picking the one that's just right for you.

Some fragrances will ease you off to sleep, others will help to wake you up in the morning. Some relax you, easing away stress and anxiety; others are revitalizing and will pick you up for that important job interview. You can soon get to know each plant's individual properties and its healing effects.

Once bottled, all essential oils look very much alike. The key to telling them apart lies in understanding the plants from which they've been extracted.

Follow your nose

Oils that smell very similar often have very different effects. Lemon is a stimulant, yet lemongrass is a sedative. Rosemary and peppermint, on the other hand, smell nothing alike, but both are excellent for fatigue.

We will be covering dozens of aromatic plants in detail, explaining their active qualities, the ways that you can use them and even the folklore and myths associated with them. Meanwhile, the checklist below will help you choose which scent is right for you.

Scent and association

Orange, which reminds us of the Sun, produces an oil that will brighten your mood and complexion.

Smell is the most primitive of our senses, and the one that is most closely linked to our memories and emotions.

When we think of our mother's kitchen, or a beautiful day at the beach, smell is often the first thing that springs to mind. We can use these scent memories when choosing aromas to create specific moods.

Fond Memories

As scents are linked to your memories, not everyone will enjoy the same ones. Lavender is often considered uplifting, but if it reminds you of a cranky old aunt it's unlikely to be very relaxing!

Luckily, as most conditions can be eased by a number of different oils, you'll always be able to find one that's the right scent for you.

Woody smells that remind us of the outdoors can be helpful in easing urban stress. Strengthen the association in your mind by burning incense coils in your garden on calm summer evenings.

Aromatherapy and your body

Some essential oils work better on certain areas of your body than others. Use the quick checklist to find out where each oil is best applied.

The active ingredients of essential oils can ease muscle tension, improve your mood, boost your circulation and clear respiratory problems such as hay fever, stuffy noses and sore throats. By rubbing your oils over or onto the affected area, you will begin to feel their healing effects almost immediately.

( Oil Checklist )

A quick and easy way to get the benefits of essential oils is to add a few drops to your usual body lotion or moisturizer and then rub it into the affected area.

Aromatherapy massage

Combine aromatherapy with massage to get the best out of both natural techniques.

Rubbing healing oils into your skin allows their active ingredients to pass directly into the tissues of the affected area, while healing massage strokes also work to alleviate pain and stiffness, as well as improving circulation.