Lavender essential oil is one of the most commonly used oils for reducing anxiety and tension. It’s believed to lower the activation of the sympathetic nervous system responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response, easing emotional stress and promoting calm.
Aromatherapy can be used to help ease many symptoms, but should never replace a medical treatment prescribed by a doctor.
Olfactory Aromatherapy
When an aroma is inhaled, the scent stimulates the brain’s olfactory receptor neurons. This triggers a chain reaction of signals to the brain and other parts of the body, such as muscles and blood vessels.
Because olfactory receptors are also active in brain regions that modulate emotions and autonomic nervous system responses, aromatherapy can have an impact on both the mind and body. Research suggests that aromatherapy can help relieve symptoms like nausea and anxiety, especially when combined with psychotherapy.
However, there are several potential pitfalls with aromatherapy, including placebo effects, as well as individual differences in how people respond to particular essential oils. It is important to talk to a healthcare provider who specializes in CAM and integrative medicine before trying aromatherapy, to learn more about its benefits and how to use it safely. For example, it is best to only use high-quality pure essential oil, and avoid adding undiluted oil directly onto skin or using a diffuser that continually emits scent without any rest periods.
Topical Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses distilled oils of plants to promote physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. It may reduce anxiety, stress and depression. Clinical trials in cancer patients have found that it may also improve quality of life and decrease nausea.
Essential oils contain phytoconstituents that are absorbed through the skin and can influence behavior and the immune system. Inhalation and topical application are common routes of administration. The oils are often diluted with a carrier oil to dilute the strong fragrance and prevent skin irritation.
A person should always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before beginning aromatherapy and choose high-quality, pure products from reputable suppliers. The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate aromatherapy and it is possible to purchase unregulated “aromatherapy” products that may be contaminated or contain synthetic chemicals. A person should never ingest essential oils, unless under the supervision of a doctor or certified aromatherapist. A person should also avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes if they are sensitive to certain essential oils.
Aerial Diffusion
Aromatherapy involves using volatile plant extracts (essential oils) in a distilled, expressed or diluted form for therapeutic purposes. This is a complementary therapy with an increasing scientific base.
It falls under the category of CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine). It is a holistic practice, treating the whole person including mind, body, and spirit. It utilizes the sense of smell to influence brain chemistry to establish an innate balance and peace.
While many studies demonstrate a positive effect of aromatherapy, the quality of these trials is often lacking. This is because most research papers only provide descriptive information on the products used, not the specific essential oil(s), which makes it impossible to duplicate or compare results. This lack of uniformity limits the ability of interested clinicians to effectively incorporate this modality into clinical practice. Despite this, the popularity of aromatherapy has spawned numerous essential oil-based products in both the personal and commercial sectors. These products have cosmetic, hygienic, mood-enhancing and medicinal properties.
Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy is a type of complementary and alternative medicine. It involves the inhalation or olfactory application of concentrated aromatic extracts of plants, such as essential oils and hydrolats. Other concentrated aromatic extracts such as tinctures, resinoids and CO2 extracts could also be considered therapeutic but are rarely used in aromatherapy because they are often absorbed through the skin and thus require dermal administration (phytoaromatherapy).
Inhalation of aroma molecules triggers an immediate and direct response by the olfactory system to elicit specific physiological effects including triggering hormone production and relaying messages to the brain. These are based on the brain’s preconditioned memory of odors and a direct pharmacological effect.
This medical, clinical and holistic use of aromatics was embraced by 8 nursing theorists confirming that aromatherapy is indeed a credible alternative method of treatment for balancing physical health and spiritual well-being. However, this does not necessarily mean that essential oils are safe for everyone and requires a certain level of expertise in plant identification, safety and clinical applications.
