Protective effect of lavender essential oils on depression and multi-organ stress (original) (raw)
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Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020
Background. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of lavender oil inhalation on blood pressure, pulse measurements, cortisol levels, depressive mood, and anxiety in healthy male adults. The mechanism was investigated by the action on oxytocin single neurons in the hypothalamus of rodents. Methods. The participants (n = 7) were aged 20–40 years. After randomisation, they received an inhaled dose of lavender oil or distilled water for 20 min. They received the other treatment after a washout period of one week. We assessed the outcomes using the Self-Rating Depression Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and self-rated unidimensional Visual Analogue Scale for depression; anxiety; and hunger, thirst, and appetite, respectively. Blood pressure, pulse rate, and cortisol concentration in the peripheral blood were assessed before and after inhalation. In the rodent study (n = 4), oxytocin single neurons were isolated from the mouse hypothalamus. Intracellular Ca2+ concent...
Neuroscience Letters
Depression is a major health issue that causes severe societal economic and health burden. Aromatherapy, a practice that uses essential oils for preventive and therapeutic purposes, represents a promising therapeutic alternative for the alleviation of depressive symptoms. Lavender essential oil (LEO) has been the focus of clinical studies due to its positive effect on mood. An animal model of chronic administration of high dose corticosterone to induce depression-and anxiety-like behavior and reduced neurogenesis was used to explore the biological changes brought by aromatherapy. Twenty-four adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups: Control, corticosterone (Cort) group with high dose of corticosterone, LEO group with daily exposure to LEO by inhalation, and LEO + Cort. At the end of the 14-day treatment period, behavioral tests were carried out. Serum samples were collected 2-3 days after the 14-day period treatment and before perfusion to carry out biochemical analyses to measure BDNF, corticosterone and oxytocin. After perfusion, brains were collected for immunohistochemical analysis to detect BrdU and DCX positive cells in the hippocampus and subventricular zone. Results showed that treatment with LEO ameliorated the depression-like behavior induced by the chronic administration of corticosterone as observed in the LEO + Cort group. Cort treatment reduced the number of BrdU positive cells in the hippocampus and the subventricular zone. Treatment with LEO prevented
Lavender, cedarwood, vetiver balm work as anti-stress treatment by reducing plasma cortisol level
American Journal of Essential Oils and Natural Products, 2020
Prolonged stress has a negative impact on health. Stress stimulates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis leading to increased cortisol hormone level. Excessive cortisol causes immunity suppression, sleep disturbance, and metabolic imbalance. Essential oils have been often used to stimulate relaxation. Lavender, cedarwood, and vetiver have a relaxation effect and they are useful for anxiety and depression. Common applications are aromatherapy inhalation and topical/massage. The aim of this study was to find the effect of lavender, cedarwood, and vetiver balms of reducing plasma cortisol levels. The study design was experimental with post-test-only control group that used 4 control (negative, positive, diazepam 2 mg/kg BW, balm vehicle) and 9 treatment (lavender 10%, 20%, 30%; cedarwood 10%, 20%, 30%; vetiver 10%, 20%, 30%) groups with 9 male Wistar rats in each group. Swim test was applied daily as a stress stimulus and the balms were applied daily on the shaved back for 30 days. Data were shown as mean ± SD and analyzed using Kruskal Wallis and Spearman correlation test with a significant value of p<0.05. We found a significant difference in plasma cortisol levels between control and treatment groups (p = 0.001). The concentration of each essential oil has a significant moderate negative correlation with plasma cortisol level. The three essential oil balms reduced plasma cortisol level of prolonged swim-induced stress rats. The greater essential oils concentration has a greater effect to reduce cortisol level. The 30% concentration of each essential oil has a similar effect to diazepam. The three essential oil balms have a similar effect of reducing cortisol levels. Lavender, cedarwood, and vetiver balms have a beneficial effect as an anti-stress treatment by reducing cortisol hormone level. Keywords: Cedarwood, cortisol, lavender, stress, vetiver
A Systematic Review of the Effects of Aromatherapy with Lavender Essential Oil on Depression
Central Asian Journal of Global Health, 2020
Introduction: Depression is considered as one of the most serious health issues worldwide, and the search for the most effective and safe treatments for depression is essential. Aromatherapy with lavender have attracted the attention of many researchers due to their low cost and ease of use, so this study was conducted to review of the effects of aromatherapy with lavender essential oil on depression.Methods: This systematic review study was conducted by searching the databases (SID, Magiran, Google-Scholar, Medline via PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) by using the keywords such as depression, Lavandula, Lavender, and Aromatherapy, as well as applying OR and AND operators to the end of January 1, 2020 A.D. The inclusion criteria were: 1) Interventional studies that determined keywords were in the title or keywords of the article, 2) aromatherapy was conducted through inhalation or massage, 3) the full text of paper was accessible, and 4) published in English or Persian. Finally, ...
A comprehensive review of essential oils for depression management
Journal of pharmacognosy and phytochemistry, 2024
Essential oils, derived from aromatic plants, have been used for thousands of years across cultures for their therapeutic, cosmetic, and spiritual benefits. Aromatherapy, harnessing the power of these oils, has gained recognition in modern medicine as a complementary therapy for various conditions, including depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. These oils contain a diverse range of chemical constituents and interact with the body and mind through complex mechanisms, including neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors. Notable essential oils like lavender, jasmine, sandalwood, Roman chamomile, frankincense, and peppermint have been extensively studied for their positive effects on mental health, offering relaxation, stress reduction, and mood enhancement. However, it is crucial to use essential oils cautiously due to potential sensitization and allergies. While essential oils offer a holistic approach to improving mental well-being, consulting a qualified healthcare professional or aromatherapist is advisable, particularly in cases involving pre-existing medical conditions or medication interactions.
BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 2015
Psychological stressors may cause affective disorders, such as depression and anxiety, by altering expressions of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), serotonin (5-HT), and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the brain. This study investigated the effects of essential oil from Asarum heterotropoides (EOAH) on depression-like behaviors and brain expressions of CRF, 5-HT, and TH in mice challenged with stress. Male ICR mice received fragrance inhalation of EOAH (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g) for 3 h in the special cage capped with a filter paper before start of the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). The duration of immobility was measured for the determination of depression-like behavior in the FST and TST. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine as positive control was administered at a dose of 15 mg/kg (i.p.) 30 min before start of behavioral testing. Immunoreactivities of CRF, 5-HT, and TH in the brain were also measured using separate groups of mice su...
Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 2016
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Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 2019
Background Depression is a psychiatric disease condition and the chronic mild stress (CMS) model is a well-known and valuable animal model of depression. Geranium oil and anise oil were chosen for such a study. The aim of this research was to establish the geranium oil and anise oil effect to ameliorate CMS-related symptoms. Methods This research included 80 male albino rats each group of 10 rats and the animals were divided into two major groups: normal and CMS. The normal group was subdivided into four (control, geranium oil, anise oil and venlafaxine drug) subgroups treated orally with saline, geranium oil, anise oil and venlafaxine drug, respectively, for 4 weeks. The CMS group was subdivided into four (CMS without any treatment, CMS + geranium oil, CMS + anise oil and CMS + venlafaxine drug) subgroups treated orally with geranium oil, anise oil and venlafaxine drug, respectively, for 4 weeks. Results The sucrose consumption in sucrose preference test, the distance traveled test...
Nutritional Neuroscience, 2013
Objective: The essential oil of Eugenia caryophyllata (clove oil; Family: Myrtaceae) is used in dental care as an antiseptic and analgesic. The present study investigates the effect of clove oil on animal models of depression and locomotion. Methods: Clove oil was administered in doses of 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1 ml/kg/day, intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 3 weeks. The forced swim test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST) were used to assess depression. To evaluate locomotor activity, the rota rod test and the photoactometer procedure were performed. Results: In the FST, it was observed that the duration of immobility was significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in animals treated with clove oil (0.05 and 0.1 ml/kg); however, the clove oil dose of 0.025 ml/kg showed an insignificant increase in the immobile period. The TST demonstrated that pretreatment with clove oil decreases (P < 0.01) the immobile period significantly at all the three administered doses. Similarly, the photoactometer procedure showed increased locomotor activity at all the three doses, although significant (P < 0.05) only at 0.1 ml/kg. In addition, the rota rod test showed that animals treated with clove oil (0.1 ml/kg) enhanced muscle coordination as demonstrated by a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the latency to fall from the rota rod as compared to the control. However, the lowest administered dose (0.025 ml/kg, i.p.) decreased the latency to fall from the rota rod significantly (P < 0.05) compared to the control. Clove oil (0.05 ml/kg) also showed a decrease in the latency to fall from the rota rod although the result was not statistically significant. Discussion: Thus, it can be concluded that pretreatment with clove oil decreases depression and enhances locomotor activity similar to that exhibited by psychostimulants.