Aromatherapy is one of the most widely used natural therapies in Western cultures. It involves using essential oils to promote physical and mental well-being. These essential oils can be found in many health food stores. They aren’t regulated by the FDA, so it is important to buy them from a reputable source.
Medicinal
Aromatherapy uses extracts of aromatic flowers, herbs, and trees to promote physical and emotional well-being. These oils are called essential oils and contain the volatile molecules that give plants their distinctive scent. They are used by smelling them through the nose or putting them on the skin, where they can be absorbed into the bloodstream. They are also used in baths and in massage.
These oils can reduce pain, nausea, anxiety, fatigue, and depression. They can also help people sleep better and improve moods. The oils can be mixed with a carrier oil, such as coconut or jojoba, to dilute them. They can also be added to perfumes and other beauty products.
This protocol describes the methodology for one of a suite of independent evidence evaluations commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Health, via the National Health and Medical Research Council, to inform the 2019-20 Review of the Australian Government Rebate on Natural Therapies [1]. The objective of this systematic review is to examine the clinical effectiveness of aromatherapy.
Psycho-aromatherapy
Psycho-aromatherapy uses essential oils to influence mental activity and feelings. It can be used for a variety of purposes, including overcoming fear of public speaking, coping with phobias and improving attention. Aromatherapy can also help people who suffer from emotional problems like depression and insomnia. The therapist can use different blends of essential oils to create the right mood for the client.
There is a lot of evidence from clinical trials on the effects of aromatherapy. The bibliometric analysis shows that there has been a steady increase in the number of primary studies on aromatherapy. However, the quality of these studies is variable and there are several possible reasons why this may be so.
Inhalation
Aromatherapy is the use of extracts from flowers, herbs and trees to promote mental and physical health through inhalation. It can also be applied to the skin in a diluted form.
The inhalation of essential oils causes an immediate effect by reaching the olfactory system, which is part of the brain’s smell center. The molecules in the oil vapor are converted to an electric charge and sent through the olfactory nerves to the olfactory bulb, where they stimulate hormone activity in the hypothalamus. They may also reach the limbic area, where they influence emotions.
While several studies have reported the positive effects of aromatherapy, high-quality research is needed to support its clinical usefulness in cancer patients. More studies should focus on assessing the safety and effectiveness of standardized aromatherapy blends with well-defined mixtures of essential oils. Topical application of essential oils may cause allergic reactions in some patients. Repeated exposure to lavender and Roman chamomile oils has been associated with reversible prepubertal gynecomastia in boys.
