Aromatherapy is a noninvasive way to help the body regulate, rebalance and heal itself. It uses therapeutic grade essential oils diluted with carrier oils that are used for massages, hot baths and topical application.
Psycho-aromatherapy involves inhalation of natural essential oils extracted from plants’ flowers, leaves, barks, stems, roots and fruits.
Relaxation
Aromatherapy uses essential oils, which are concentrated extracts from the roots, leaves, seeds or blossoms of plants. Each oil has its own unique scent and contains specific chemical properties that determine its use. Oils may be inhaled, absorbed through the skin or used as a spray. They are usually diluted with a carrier oil, which helps to protect the skin.
Research has shown that massage and aromatherapy can decrease state anxiety levels, but not trait anxiety levels. Trait anxiety is a person’s tendency to feel anxious on a regular basis and does not change with different circumstances or situations.
In one study, a combination of aromatherapy and massage reduced nausea and pain in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The therapists used a mixture of bergamot and ylang-ylang essential oils in the massage, which also included acupressure and stroking. The ylang-ylang oil induced relaxation and decreased nausea and pain. Other oils with antinausea properties include helichrysum, chamomile, lavender and spike lavender. However, it’s important to remember that aromatherapy is generally considered complementary and should not replace a doctor-approved treatment plan.
Anxiety
Several studies have shown that the scent of certain essential oils, like lavender and sweet orange oil, can ease stress and anxiety. People inhale these extracts through their nose or put them on their skin when they get a massage or take a bath. They are made from the cells that give a plant its fragrant smell.
In one randomized trial, aromatherapy reduced state anxiety levels in patients awaiting surgery. These results were comparable to those of a control massage. The researchers also found that aromatherapy decreased symptoms of psychological distress and improved quality of life in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
The study used rigorous eligibility criteria, performed a comprehensive search, assessed the risk of bias, and addressed key outcomes, valuable sensitivity and subgroup analyses, and CINeMA-rated the evidence using GRADE methodology. This was the first quantitative Bayesian network meta-analysis of EOs for anxiety to date. It compared the effectiveness of different types of EOs for reducing anxiety and provided clinicians with a rational approach for selecting a suitable EO treatment regimen.
Pain relief
Aromatherapy is a non-pharmacologic approach to pain management. It is used for many acute and chronic pain conditions and can help reduce medical intervention and pain medication use.
A recent study found that aromatherapy decreased the total amount of opioids that a patient received after surgery. The study also showed that a specific aromatherapy blend of lavender, eucalyptus and rosemary helped decrease pain, anxiety and nausea.
Another study compared cancer patients to controls and found that a combination of carrier oils and roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) essential oil reduced anxiety in the aromatherapy group. The patients also reported improvement on several subscales of the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist.
In the first stage of labor, a meta-analysis of fourteen trials comparing the effects of inhalation or massage aromatherapy to placebo or treatment as usual on labor pain revealed that aromatherapy was effective in reducing pain in a significant way. However, more scientific studies with larger samples and longer durations are needed.
Stress management
The rise of infectious disease epidemics has spurred the development of many new medical and non-medical approaches to stress reduction, sleep quality improvement, and immune enhancement. Traditional treatment options typically involve antibiotics, while non-medical approaches include acupuncture, massage therapy, Tai chi and yoga, aromatherapy, and meditation.
Aromatherapy uses diluted essential oils to help balance the mind, body, and spirit. These scents can be inhaled, sprayed, or added to a bath. Essential oils are also often rubbed into the wrists and temples. The calming scents of certain essential oils, like lavender, can help to reduce stress and relax the body.
Studies testing aromatherapy for stress reduction are scarce, however. Lavender has been shown to reduce stress in one study using a go/no-go task that measures inhibitory control, a cognitive function especially vulnerable to stress. Another study tested the effect of lavender aromatherapy on performance and event related potentials (ERPs) that are sensitive to stress. This study included 81 participants randomized to three aroma groups and two prime subgroups.
