Slick Salves

NOW that Jennifer Aniston has embraced the ancient treatment of cupping, while "going Paleo" actually applies to a diet rather than an insult for those prone to imbecility, it's no surprise that the age-old practice of aromatherapy has made a comeback. Today, essential oils are regarded way more seriously than overpriced air fresheners. In fact, they have been adopted to aid counselling sessions, promote concentration and even fend off an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease. Too good to be true? Try telling that to legions of devotees, and businesses with a nose for aromatherapy's lucrative potential.

"The recent increase in the use of essential oils is definitely in sync with the growing interest of people in search of a lifestyle improvement, thinking healthier and wanting natural products to live with," says Will Halterman, South-east Asia general manager of Young Living Singapore. "This growing trend is most prominently seen in cities such as Singapore where a stressful and busy work life is seemingly unavoidable."

Young Living is perhaps the biggest success story for the practice, which can be traced back to the use of incenses by the ancient Egyptians in honour of their deities. The US-founded network marketing company retails pure essential oils cultivated and distilled on farms in locations such as Ecuador, France, Oman and the US. Sales have grown a mindboggling 816 per cent since it started its office in Singapore almost three years ago.