What is an Aromatic?

These herbs have a strong and often pleasant odour. This oil-based aroma can stimulate the relax the body via the digestive and/or nervous systems, and are the basis for much of aromatherapy.

How Aromatics Work

The aromatic’s high volatile oil content has much in common with mode of action of many Carminatives.

Herbal Examples:

• Pimpinella anisum (Aniseed)
• Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Cinnamon)
• Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)
• Mentha piperita (Peppermint) 

• Adapted from David Hoffman’s ‘The Herbal Handbook: A User’s Guide to Medical Herbalism”.