A week ago, doctors weren't sure if Stephanie Dezern would live or die.

After her car was t-boned by a drunk driver, Dezern, 25, suffered internal injuries, a cracked pelvis and other injuries.

"I broke four ribs [and] chipped a few bones in my lower back," she said.

Along with traditional treatment, she underwent an alternative therapy, aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy is a 6,000-year-old practice that uses plant oils for healing. It's said Hippocrates, long considered the 'Father of Medicine,' used it to rid Athens of the plague.

"We have 33 essential oils that we we're trained on," said Sue Shields, a clinical aromatherapist.

Shields, who is a registered nurse at Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, said when aromatherapy is used in combination with clinical massage, the fragrances from the oils can help manage real health conditions.

For example, cypress needle is said to increase circulation and black pepper reduces spasms.

"Tea tree is antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral," Shields said.

Lavender is good for burns and managing stress.

"This therapy also adds to that because it promotes relaxation and reduces tension, and that also helps control pain," Shields said.

Dezern has a bouquet of essential oils compounded especially for her individual health needs.

"It eases the pain," she said. "But really, [it] relaxes you more so you think less about the pain, I think."

Aromatherapy is used in many other countries.

In the United States, it's clinically unproven.

Harris Methodist is offering the service for free as it studies the medicinal value of aromatherapy.

Trauma surgeon Stephen Rush said he has already noticed a difference in patients prescribed morphine.

"[There has been a] reduced need for medication," he said. "There is not a downside compared to morphine or valium."

While aromatherapy won't cure a condition, those at Harris Methodist believe so strongly in the power of perfume, they now have 13 certified clinical aromatherapists on staff making the rounds.

After more than one month in the hospital with a high-risk pregnancy, Kim Lorizzo tried it to help her sleep.

"I haven't been able to take a nap since I've been here," said Lorizzo, who is 35 weeks into her pregnancy. "And yesterday was the first time I got to take a nap longer than 10 minutes. So, it's very beneficial I think."

A week after being near death, Dezern is being released from the hospital with a newfound faith in the healing powers of aromatherapy.

E-mail jstjames@wfaa.com