Aromatherapy is a natural, noninvasive way to reduce stress and anxiety. It involves inhaling essential oils, which are compounds extracted from plants. These oils can stimulate specific areas of your brain and release feel-good hormones.
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of aromatherapy on the physical and mental health and stress relief of elderly people in community care. This was accomplished by comparing the differences between experimental groups that experienced aromatherapy and control groups that did not experience aromatherapy.
Sweet marjoram
Sweet marjoram, scientifically known as Origanum majorana, is a popular herb that can be added to cooking and herbal medicine. It has a soothing, warming aroma that brings a sense of calmness and comfort to the mind and body.
Inhaling marjoram essential oil has been shown to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, causing vasodilation that reduces heart strain and blood pressure. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. It is a natural sleep aid, and is commonly used for insomnia and achy joints and muscles. It works well in conjunction with thyme and clary sage oils.
In a diffuser or vaporizer, sweet marjoram essential oil creates a calming and tranquil atmosphere to promote a restful night’s sleep. It works well with other sedative, balancing oils like lavender and peppermint. In addition, it can be used to enhance the scent of your personal care products. It is a middle note, meaning it has a strong influence on the overall aroma of a perfume.
Lemon
Lemons (Citrus limon) are a citrus fruit that contains citric acid. They are widely used around the world in foods and beverages, for cleaning, as an ingredient to make desserts, and as a flavoring agent.
The oil produced from the peel and rind of lemons has a wide range of uses in aromatherapy, including boosting energy levels, aiding depression, rejuvenating the skin, killing harmful bacteria and more. It also has strong antiseptic properties, and a high antioxidant content.
The oil has been shown to improve mood, and a 2006 study found that lemon essential oil was a powerful calming aid during three different stress-test experiments. It was even more effective than lavender and rose oils.
Lavender
Lavender has a pleasant, soft fragrance that’s known to soothe the nerves and calm emotions. Its scent also may help boost wound healing and reduce inflammation.
It’s been shown that inhaling lavender essential oil can help people with chronic high blood pressure by reducing the heart rate and diastolic blood pressure. However, more research is needed to confirm this finding.
The calming effects of lavender are believed to work by inhibiting the activity of the sympathetic nervous system that’s responsible for the fight or flight response. This may also lower cortisol levels, which can weaken the immune system.
When applied topically, lavender can be used to treat skin infections, insect bites and minor cuts. It’s also a natural bug repellent, keeping away flies, mosquitoes and moths. Lavender is generally considered safe for topical use if it’s diluted properly. However, inhalation of pure lavender can cause gynecomastia, which is the development of breast tissue in boys, so it should only be used under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.
Peppermint
Peppermint is an essential oil that contains menthol and it’s one of the most versatile oils in aromatherapy. Its cool and refreshing scent stimulates the brain and enhances alertness.
It can be inhaled or used topically to support the respiratory system, calm nausea and stomach aches, sooth headaches and relieve chronic itching. It can also be used to boost energy levels and improve skin and hair health.
Peppermint is a hybrid of spearmint and water mint (Mentha aquatica) that grows in North America and Europe. Its essential oil is distilled from the aerial parts of the plant by steam or CO2 extraction and cold pressed from the leaves. A study showed that peppermint oil reduced reaction time in a test involving visual and audio stimuli, indicating that it has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. Another research revealed that ten days of oral peppermint oil supplementation significantly increased vital capacity and spirometry values, while decreasing pulse rate and systolic blood pressure (Raudenbush, 2009 >). It is also antibacterial and an effective insect repellent.
