The psychological aspects of aromatherapy (original) (raw)
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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...
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.
Aromatherapy is categorized as a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and has been steadily gaining popularity in today's society. The word aromatherapy is used to describe the use of essential oils for aromatic inhalation, compresses and topical application through massage. The inhaled aroma from these "essential" oils is widely believed to stimulate brain function. Essential oils can also be absorbed through the skin, where they travel through the bloodstream and can promote whole-body healing. There are a wide number of essential oils available, each with its own healing properties. The present review focus on scenario of aromatherapy, modes of application, mechanism of action, types and health benefits.
Physiological effects in aromatherapy
The effects of aromas on humans are divided into physiological and psychological effects. The physiological effect acts directly on the physical organism, the psychological effect acts via the sense of smell or olfactory system, which in turn may cause a physiological effect. This paper reviews on the physiological effects which are used for the evaluation of the effects of aromas. Physiological parameters, i.e. heart rate blood pressure, electrodermal activity, electroencephalogram, slow potential brain waves (contingent negativevariation), and eye blink rate or pupil functions, are used as indices for the measurement of the aroma effects
The International journal of neuroscience, 2009
A systematic review of scientific experimentation addressing olfactory effects on mood, physiology and behavior was undertaken. From this review, 18 studies meeting stringent empirical criteria were then analyzed in detail and it was found that credible evidence that odors can affect mood, physiology and behavior exists. To explain these effects, pharmacological and psychological mechanisms were explored and a psychological interpretation of the data was found to be more comprehensive. Methodological problems regarding dependent measures and stimuli, which led to inconsistencies in the data were discussed, as were the mediating variables of culture, experience, sex differences, and personality.
Revista Da Escola De Enfermagem Da Usp, 2015
Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of aromatherapy massage using the essential oils (0.5%) of Lavandula angustifolia and Pelargonium graveolens for anxiety reduction in patients with personality disorders during psychiatric hospitalization. Method: Uncontrolled clinical trial with 50 subjects submitted to six massages with aromatherapy, performed on alternate days, on the cervical and the posterior thoracic regions. Vital data (heart and respiratory rate) were collected before and after each session and an anxiety scale (Trait Anxiety Inventory-State) was applied at the beginning and end of the intervention. The results were statistically analyzed with the chi square test and paired t test. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease (p <0.001) of the heart and respiratory mean rates after each intervention session, as well as in the inventory score. Conclusion: Aromatherapy has demonstrated effectiveness in anxiety relief, considering the decrease of heart and respiratory rates in patients diagnosed with personality disorders during psychiatric hospitalization.
Revista Da Escola De Enfermagem Da Usp, 2015
Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of aromatherapy massage using the essential oils (0.5%) of Lavandula angustifolia and Pelargonium graveolens for anxiety reduction in patients with personality disorders during psychiatric hospitalization. Method: Uncontrolled clinical trial with 50 subjects submitted to six massages with aromatherapy, performed on alternate days, on the cervical and the posterior thoracic regions. Vital data (heart and respiratory rate) were collected before and after each session and an anxiety scale (Trait Anxiety Inventory-State) was applied at the beginning and end of the intervention. The results were statistically analyzed with the chi square test and paired t test. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease (p <0.001) of the heart and respiratory mean rates after each intervention session, as well as in the inventory score. Conclusion: Aromatherapy has demonstrated effectiveness in anxiety relief, considering the decrease of heart and respiratory rates in patients diagnosed with personality disorders during psychiatric hospitalization.
Aromatherapy is the practice of using volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical wellbeing. Aromatherapy is a therapeutic remedy that has helped millions of people down the years. Aromatherapy has a variety of helpful properties, which include antibiotic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal agents and so on. Essential oils, unlike prescription drugs, work only on those areas that are 'broken', which means they do not go on the healthy tissues and work there. They travel around the body, look for illnesses and target those alone. Aromatherapy is often used in conjunction with massage therapy, acupuncture, reflexology, herbology and other holistic healing therapies.
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.
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,...