Aromatherapy and Essential Oils: A Map of the Evidence (original) (raw)
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Aromatherapy for health care: An overview of systematic reviews
Maturitas, 2012
Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oil from herbs, flowers, and other plants. The aim of this overview was to provide an overview of systematic reviews evaluating the effectiveness of aromatherapy. We searched 12 electronic databases and our departmental files without restrictions of time or language. The methodological quality of all systematic reviews was evaluated independently by two authors. Of 201 potentially relevant publications, 10 met our inclusion criteria. Most of the systematic reviews were of poor methodological quality. The clinical subject areas were hypertension, depression, anxiety, pain relief, and dementia. For none of the conditions was the evidence convincing. Several SRs of aromatherapy have recently been published. Due to a number of caveats, the evidence is not sufficiently convincing that aromatherapy is an effective therapy for any condition.
Clinical evaluation of aromatherapy
International Journal of Aromatherapy, 2004
This paper addresses how the clinical effectiveness of aromatherapy may be evaluated. Aromatherapy may work through a mixture of physiological and psychological processes. These may work in synergy. Any evaluation must also be conducted in the messiness of the clinical situation and must be economic, i.e., there are not the resources to conduct the large scale randomised double-blind trials typical of pharmaceutical testing.
A Complete Review on Aromatherapy: A Complementary Alternative Medication Therapy with Recent Trend
International Journal of Medical Sciences and Pharma Research
Aromatherapy is one of the most actively growing forms of alternative medicines that use essential oils and aromatic plant compounds combining massage together with counselling and nice odour. Aromatherapy using essential oils can help to relieve stress and anxiety symptoms, which may help improve sleep indirectly. A study found aromatherapy improved both depression and anxiety in a group of post - partum women. Aromatherapy can do more than soothe your mind. Scientific studies show that aromatherapy- inhaling or absorbing aromatic plants extracts also may help soothe your body and relieve pain. Studies have shown that essential oils have an effect on brainwaves and also alter behaviour. It is possible that most of the effect of the oils is probably transmitted through the brain via the olfactory system. Used professionally and safely, aromatherapy can be of great benefit as an adjunct to conventional medicine or used simply as an alternative. Keywords: Aromatherapy, Essential oils,...
The Science and Art of Aromatherapy: A Brief Review
2013
Aromatherapy is defined as "the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit". Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants for healing. Essential oils have been used for therapeutic purposes for nearly 6,000 years. The ancient Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used them in cosmetics, perfumes, and drugs. Essential oils were also commonly used for spiritual, therapeutic, hygienic, and ritualistic purposes. By the 1950s massage therapists, beauticians, nurses, physiotherapists, doctors, and other health care providers began using aromatherapy. Aromatherapy did not become popular in the United States until the 1980s. Today, many lotions, candles, and beauty products are sold as "aromatherapy." Aromatherapy is used in a wide range of settings from health spas to hospitals to treat a variety of conditions. In general, it seems to relieve pain...
Aroma Therapy: An Art of Healing
Indian research journal of pharmacy and science, 2018
Aroma therapy is one of the most ancient healing arts & traces its origin to 4500BC, when Egyptians used aromatic substances in medicines. The term Aromatherapy was coined by Prof. Gatte`Fosse, a French cosmetic chemist. Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots or other parts of plants to enhance psychological and physical well-being. The inhaled aroma from "essential" oils is widely believed to stimulate brain function. Essential oils can also be absorbed through the skin, where they travel through bloodstream and can promote whole-body healing. Aromatherapy activates areas in nose called olfactory receptors, which send messages through nervous system to brain. The oils may activate certain areas of brain, like limbic system, which plays a role in controlling emotions. They could also have an impact on your hypothalamus, which may respond to the oil by creating a good feeling in brain. Its use ranges from pain relief, mood enhancement and increased cognitive function to treat asthma, insomnia, fatigue, depression, inflammation, alopecia, cancer, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, menstrual disorders, menopausal syndromes, etc. According to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, the most popular essential oils include fennel, geranium, lavender, lemongrass etc.
Aromatherapy in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: A review
Research in Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2016
Aromatherapy is most commonly used therapy for the relaxation purpose to overcome the symptoms associated with psychiatric disorders. Essential oils are most commonly used substances for this purpose. These are obtained from various plant species including lavender, rosemary, sage, and salvia. The objective of this study was to evaluate aromatherapy in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. A computer-based search of Pubmed, Medline, Embase, Cinahl, PsycINFO, AMED, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was performed. Trials were included if they were potential human trials assessing aromatherapy in the treatment of psychiatric disorders and utilized validated instruments to assess participant eligibility and clinical endpoints. Selection criteria of the study was decided and taken into consideration. Trials were identified that met all eligibility requirements. Individual trials investigating botanical sources and clinical effects of essential oils used in aromatherapy. R...
The Relationship between Aromatherapy and Mental Wellbeing: A Narrative Review
Unisia
Mental disorders are patterns of behavioral or psychological symptoms that affect multiple areas of life; these disorders create distress for the person experiencing these symptoms. The search for the most effective and safe treatments is essential. Aromatherapy as a specialized segment of phyto-therapy have attracted the attention of many researchers as complementary method for treating patients with neurological and psychiatric complaint due to their low cost and ease of use. While, it could be practiced via inhalation or topical application and massage utilizing specific essential oils for several, minor, clinical uses as a natural way of healing a person’s mind, body and soul.
The Effectiveness of Aromatherapy in Reducing Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Pain Research and Treatment, 2016
Background. Aromatherapy refers to the medicinal or therapeutic use of essential oils absorbed through the skin or olfactory system. Recent literature has examined the effectiveness of aromatherapy in treating pain. Methods. 12 studies examining the use of aromatherapy for pain management were identified through an electronic database search. A meta-analysis was performed to determine the effects of aromatherapy on pain. Results. There is a significant positive effect of aromatherapy (compared to placebo or treatments as usual controls) in reducing pain reported on a visual analog scale (SMD = −1.18, 95% CI: −1.33, −1.03; p<0.0001). Secondary analyses found that aromatherapy is more consistent for treating nociceptive (SMD = −1.57, 95% CI: −1.76, −1.39, p<0.0001) and acute pain (SMD = −1.58, 95% CI: −1.75, −1.40, p<0.0001) than inflammatory (SMD = −0.53, 95% CI: −0.77, −0.29, p<0.0001) and chronic pain (SMD = −0.22, 95% CI: −0.49, 0.05, p=0.001), respectively. Based on t...
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Background: The use of essential oils is growing in the United States, but clinician attitudes, experience, and beliefs regarding their use have not previously been studied. Methods: One hundred five of 106 clinician attendees (99.1%) of an integrative medicine continuing education conference were surveyed using an audience response system to obtain baseline information. Response frequencies of each item were reported. Nonparametric correlations were assessed comparing the statement "In the last 12 months, I have used essential oils for myself and/or my family" with the other agree/disagree statements using Spearman's rho. Results: A majority of participants personally used integrative medicine approaches other than aromatherapy (92.6%) and recommended them clinically (96.8%). Most had personally used essential oils (61%) and wished to offer essential oil recommendations or therapies to their patients (74.0%). Only 21.9% felt confident in their ability to counsel patients on safe use. Personal use of essential oils was highly correlated with confidence in the ability to counsel patients on safe use (Spearman coefficient 0.376, P = 0.000). Conclusions: This study indicates that clinicians interested in integrative medicine desire to provide aromatherapy recommendations, but do not feel confident in their ability to do so.
Aromatherapy as an Adjuvant Treatment in Cancer Care – A Descriptive Systematic Review
African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 2012
Claims of benefits of aromatherapy for cancer patients include reduced anxiety levels and relief of emotional stress, pain, muscular tension and fatigue. The objective of this paper is to provide an updated descriptive, systematic review of evidence from pre-clinical and clinical trials assessing the benefits and safety of aromatherapy for cancer patients. Literature databases such as Medline (via Ovid), the Cochrane database of systematic reviews, Cochrane Central were searched from their inception until October 2010. Only studies on cancer cells or cancer patients were included. There is no long lasting effect of aromatherapy massage, while short term improvements were reported for general well being, anxiety and depression up to 8 weeks after treatment. The reviewed studies indicate short-term effects of aromatherapy on depression, anxiety and overall wellbeing. Specifically, some clinical trials found an increase in patient-identified symptom relief, psychological wellbeing and improved sleep. Furthermore, some found a short-term improvement (up to 2 weeks after treatment) in anxiety and depression scores and better pain control. Although essential oils have generally shown minimal adverse effects, potential risks include ingesting large amounts (intentional misuse); local skin irritation, especially with prolonged skin contact; allergic contact dermatitis; and phototoxicity from reaction to sunlight (some oils). Repeated topical administration of lavender and tea tree oil was associated with reversible prepubertal gynecomastia.