Aromatherapy ? Fact or Fiction

Aromatherapy ? Fact or Fiction

Aromatherapy science and the use of essential oils is a recently created field, with some startling information to share. For many years, practitioners of holistic aromatherapy have claimed that scents and aromas can be used to reduce stress and promote relaxation. However, it is only recently that scientific professionals have started to take a critical, logical approach to proving or disproving the claims of aromatherapy practitioners. Aromatherapy science takes ‘common knowledge/wisdom’ about smell and mood regulation into the laboratory, where it can be rigorously tested, and the results have surprised many members of the scientific community.

Aromatherapy science has shown that aromatherapy can strongly and quickly affect mood and behaviour. Researchers recently discovered that the introduction of natural scents of essential oils like lavender and vanilla can significantly reduce anxiety and distress in at least some cases. These positive outcomes may spell great news for people who are looking for an affordable, easy way to relax both in crisis situations and in everyday life.

The Facts
The strongest evidence aromatherapy science has produced in favour of the stress reducing effects of smell was in a recent study on anxiety in hospital patients. In a study conducted at Manhattan’s Sloan-Kettering Hospital, the scent of vanilla was shown to help reduce stress related disorder, claustrophobia 63% during MRI scans. This is a dramatic statistic, and has helped raise interest in aromatherapy science in academic community.
Aromatherapy is a term coined in the 1920′s, by a French chemist named Rene Maurice Gattefosse, to describe the practice of using essential oils taken from plants, flowers, roots, seeds, etc., in healing. The use of plant oils, including essential oils, is meant for psychological and physical well being. Gattefosse conducted experiments with essential oils on wounded soldiers during World War 1. He found that essential oils were antiseptics that detoxified better than the chemical compounds that were currently being used. This is especially good news for those that have skin conditions that include bacterial activity. This affects acne skin and congested skin including oily skin, due to excessive sebum production. There can often be issues with spots, pimples and boils, which can be reoccurring.
Contrary to what many sceptics think, there is actually quite a lot of published research on aromatherapy and essential oils. But, like any body of research, some aromatherapy studies are not well designed, some are inconclusive, and some are not necessarily accessible to those who have no science or clinical background. And as with any research, it is important to read aromatherapy research with a critical eye. It is also important to establish who commissioned the research.

Aromatherapy trials, pilot studies and controlled research.

Aromatherapy and High Blood Pressure
Aromatherapy is widely used for the purpose of relaxation and researchers are now investigating the alleged benefits. One small, pilot study was conducted by Jolanta Basnyet, an aromatherapist at the Natural Health Centre in Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Twenty patients were divided into two groups; the first group to receive five 45 minute aromatherapy treatments, using 15ml of unrefined grapeseed carrier oil containing one drop of each of Ylang-ylang, Clary sage and Marjoram over a period of six weeks. The second group received the same massage but without the essential oils.

The massage techniques used were effleurage, petrissage, gentle friction, vibration and feathering using 15ml of unrefined grapeseed oil, which in the aromatherapy group contained one drop of each of the essential oils.
At the end of the treatment period, the results revealed that 7/10 in the treatment group and 6/10 in the control experienced a reduction in their raised blood pressure. The improvement in pulse rate of patients in the treatment group was consistently higher than improvement observed in the control group.
The report concludes that ‘overall blood pressure readings in both groups improved successfully, which would indicate that this type of tactile treatment can have a beneficial effect on the raised arterial blood pressure.

Aromatherapy and elderly patients
Researchers at Oldham Cottage hospital recently investigated the potential of lavender essential oil to aid rest and relaxation and thereby encourage the healing process in elderly patients. The patients were monitored for seven days during which time their sleep patterns, dozing and alertness during the day were recorded. The following seven days one drop of Lavender augustfolia was put on each patient’s pillow at night. No other changes were made to the patients’ daily routine or medications that they were receiving.

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Additional reading:

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