Aromatherapy – Aromatherapy Oils That Work by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Aromatherapy – Aromatherapy Oils That Work

What is Aromatherapy?

In aromatherapy, certain plant oils (called "essential oils") are used to promote well being and stimulate healing from a number of conditions. Occasionally incorporated into therapies such as massage, essential oils can also be applied to the skin (when diluted in a carrier oil) or inhaled (by using an aromatherapy diffuser, for instance).

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are highly potent substances that contain the aromatic compounds of a plant. The oils can be extracted from many different plant parts, including the flowers, leaves, and roots.

Learn more about selecting essential oils.

Five Essential Oils Proven to Work

Although there are hundreds of essential oils said to enhance health, not all have been studied for their beneficial effects. While research on aromatherapy is fairly limited, these essential oils have been found to be helpful in the treatment of certain conditions:

1) Lemon

Breathing in the scent of lemon essential oil may significantly improve mood, according to a 2008 study of 56 healthy volunteers. However, study results also showed that lemon oil failed to lessen stress, ease pain, or lower blood pressure6.

In a 2009 study, researchers discovered that animals that inhaled the scent of linalool (a compound found in lemon essential oil, as well as in lavender oil) had a decrease in their levels of stress-elevated immune cells.

2) Lavender

Said to possess sedative properties, lavender essential oil has been found to help relieve anxiety and insomnia in several studies. A study published in 2007 also shows that lavender inhalation may help alleviate agitated behaviors among older adults with dementia.

3) Tea Tree

Long used in folk medicine to treat cuts, burns, infections, and other skin conditions, tea tree oil may help kill Staphylococcus aureus (the bacteria that cause staph infections), according to a 2009 report. Other studies show that tea tree oil may be effective in the treatment of warts, athlete's foot, and dandruff.

4) Rosemary

After sniffing the scent of rosemary for five minutes, volunteers in a 2007 study showed a significant decrease in their levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

In a 2003 study, meanwhile, participants working in cubicles scented with rosemary essential oil were more alert and had better cognitive performance than those who were placed in fragrance-free workspaces.

5) Peppermint

Taking peppermint oil in capsule form may help reduce some of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, according to research published in 2007. When combined with caraway oil, peppermint oil may also be moderately effective in treating dyspepsia (a chronic condition marked by upper abdominal pain).

Applying peppermint oil directly to the skin has also been shown to help relieve tension headaches.

How to Use Essential Oils Safely

Since essential oils can cause considerable harm if used incorrectly, it's crucial to review a few key safety guidelines before working with aromatherapy.

Learn how to use essential oils safely.

Sources:

Atsumi T, Tonosaki K. "Smelling lavender and rosemary increases free radical scavenging activity and decreases cortisol level in saliva." Psychiatry Research 2007 28;150(1):89-96.

Bradley BF, Brown SL, Chu S, Lea RW. "Effects of orally administered lavender essential oil on responses to anxiety-provoking film clips." Human Psychopharmacology 2009 24(4):319-30.

Göbel H, Schmidt G, Soyka D. "Effect of peppermint and eucalyptus oil preparations on neurophysiological and experimental algesimetric headache parameters." Cephalalgia 1994 14(3):228-34.

Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Graham JE, Malarkey WB, Porter K, Lemeshow S, Glaser R. "Olfactory influences on mood and autonomic, endocrine, and immune function." Psychoneuroendocrinology 2008 33(3):328-39.

Kligler B, Chaudhary S. "Peppermint oil." American Family Physician 2007 Apr 1;75(7):1027-30.

Kwieciński J, Eick S, Wójcik K. "Effects of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil on Staphylococcus aureus in biofilms and stationary growth phase." The International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 2009 33(4):343-7.

Lewith GT, Godfrey AD, Prescott P. " A single-blinded, randomized pilot study evaluating the aroma of Lavandula augustifolia as a treatment for mild insomnia." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2005 11(4):631-7.

Lin PW, Chan WC, Ng BF, Lam LC. "Efficacy of aromatherapy (Lavandula angustifolia) as an intervention for agitated behaviours in Chinese older persons with dementia: a cross-over randomized trial." International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 2007 22(5):405-10.

Millar BC, Moore JE. "Successful topical treatment of hand warts in a paediatric patient with tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)." Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 2008 14(4):225-7.

Misner BD. "A novel aromatic oil compound inhibits microbial overgrowth on feet: a case study." Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2007 Jul 13;4:3.

Moss M, Cook J, Wesnes K, Duckett P. "Aromas of rosemary and lavender essential oils differentially affect cognition and mood in healthy adults." The International Journal of Neuroscience 2003 113(1):15-38.

Nakamura A, Fujiwara S, Matsumoto I, Abe K. "Stress repression in restrained rats by (R)-(-)-linalool inhalation and gene expression profiling of their whole blood cells." Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2009 24;57(12):5480-5.

Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS. "Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo." Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2002 47(6):852-5.