Final answer:
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils and scented candles to create a relaxing atmosphere, often incorporated in relaxation response and meditative practices to help reduce stress and improve health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The alternative therapy that uses essential oils and scented candles to help a patient relax and focuses on creating a pleasant atmosphere is known as aromatherapy. This practice is often used to elicit the relaxation response, a technique developed by cardiologist Herbert Benson in the 1970s.
Aromatherapy can be part of a meditative process, which includes sitting upright on a comfortable chair, being in a quiet environment with eyes closed, repeating a mantra such as “alert mind, calm body,” and passively allowing the mind to focus on pleasant thoughts. The goals of these practices are to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve overall well-being. Such meditative practices have been found to be beneficial in the management of hypertension, stress, sleep quality, mood and anxiety disorders, and pain relief according to various research studies.