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Aromatherapy Research
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Research has shown great benefit in using aromatherapy with depression. Aromatherapy is a therapy that uses essential oils
for the purpose of affecting a person's mood or health. Essential oils are a concentrated liquid containing volatile aroma compounds
from aromatic herbs or plants.
Aromatherapists often use a combination of gentle massage techniques while gently dropping the essential oils onto the body. The oils
can also be diffused into the air in heated water or a mechanical device. Each oil is thought to have a specific pharmacological
effect that occurs after transdermal resorption.
A number of studies have successfully used aromatherapy for improving mood. In one study, 20 depressed men on antidepressants
were divided into two groups; 1) Twelve were exposed to citrus fragrance in the air, and 2) Eight received placebo. The aromatherapy
group was able to substantially reduce their antidepressant dosage.
A study of 288 cancer patients with clinical anxiety and/or depression noted that those treated with aromatherapy massage had lower
anxiety and depression compared with those receiving usual care after 6 weeks of treatment.
The use of aromatherapy essential oils in the treatment of anxiety has been well documented. In a number of trials, aromatherapy
has alleviated anxiety and stress.
Placebo-controlled research with 52 subjects tested the use of lavender, ylangylang, and bergamot essentials oils used once daily
for 4 weeks.The study, performed at the Geochang Provincial College in Korea, evaluated the benefits of aromatherapy for the
treatment of anxiety. At the 4-week mark, the blood pressure, pulse, subjective stress, state anxiety, and serum cortisol levels
among the aromatherapy group were significantly lower.
Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) contains a number of medicinal components, including perillyl alcohol, linalool, and geraniol.
As an essential oil, lavender has been successfully used in aromatherapy in the treatment of sleep disorders.
A study at the University of Vienna in Austria found that the aroma from lavender was sedating and helpful in alleviating insomnia.
A study of seniors with sleeping troubles found that inhaling lavender was as effective as common sleep medications.
Similar results were reported in other research using a combination of lavender and sweet almond oil in people with insomnia.
The use of aromatherapy and essential oils can be beneficial for people in the process of quitting smoking.
Research has verified aromatherapy as a useful as part of a smoking cessation program. A study at the University of Pittsburgh found that
exposure to aromatherapy oil lessened the urge to smoke by reducing craving.
A Japanese study determined that using lavender and rosemary was particularly effective at reducing both oxidative and psychological stress.
The researchers measured the saliva of 22 healthy participants after smelling lavender and rosemary essential oils. Various physiologically
substances in saliva were examined, such as such as cortisol, secretory IgA, and alpha-amylase activity; all considered markers of stress.
Both lavender and rosemary significantly decreased cortisol levels compared to placebo.
A second Japanese study looked at how lavender essential oils affected stress and arousal levels.
The results suggested that lavender aromatherapy was associated with reduced mental stress and decreased arousal.
For more information, choose from the resources and products below.
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Kim MJ, Nam ES, Paik SI. The effects of aromatherapy on pain, depression, and life satisfaction of
arthritis patients.
Taehan Kanho Hakhow Chi 2005;35: 186-94.
Wilkinson S, Love S, Westcombe A, Gambles M, Burgess C, Cargill A, Young T, Maher E, Ramirez A. Effectiveness of
aromatherapy massage in the management of anxiety and depression in patients with cancer: a multicenter randomized
controlled trial. J Clin Oncol 2007;25: 532-9.
Lehrner J, Marwinski G, Lehr S, Johren P, Deecke L. Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce
anxiety and improve mood in a dental office. Physiol Behav 2005;86: 92-5.
Lewith GT, Godfrey AD, Prescott P. A single-blinded, randomized pilot study evaluating the aroma of
Lavandula augustifolia as a treatment for mild insomnia. J Altern Complement Med 2005;11: 631-7.
Koszowski B, Goniewicz M, Czogala J. Alternative methods of nicotine dependence
treatment. Przegl Lek 2005;62(10): 1176-9. [In Polish]
Randi Fredricks has a Doctorate in Naturopathy and a Masters in Psychology.
She runs her own natural health business, counsels clients at Recovery Connections in San Jose, California and does long distance
phone consultations. Visit her website at
www.randifredricks.com or
contact her online.
This article is from Randi Fredricks' book
Healing & Wholeness: Complementary and Alternative Therapies for
Mental Health. Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved.
No part of this article or website may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information
storage and retrieval systems.
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Thursday, November 20, 2008
