What’s The Deal Wednesday: Aromatherapy

The following article will define therapeutic aromatherapy, determine how it is currently applied amongst users, current recommendations, and potential concerns related to aromatherapy.

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the medicinal or therapeutic use of essential oils absorbed through the skin or olfactory system (smelling the oils). The initial practice of utilizing distilled plants dates back to medieval Persia, however contemporary herbal medicine usage has gained more popularity due to the potential effects on physical and psychological well-being. Essential oils, or oils derived from plants, have low-cost, minimal side effects, and generally recognized as safe. Let’s review the current research and determine the usefulness of Aromatherapy and recommendation for specific health conditions: Depression, Anxiety, Muscle Tension, Sleep Disturbance/Insomnia and Pain.

Application of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is most commonly applied through the skin via carrier oil during a massage or through direct and indirect inhalation via a soaking gauze or utilizing a diffuser near a patient. Currently, a wide array of plant derivatives have been discovered, but the most common therapeutic use is with: Lavender, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Chamomile, and Peppermint extracts.

How Does It Work?

Through various routes of administration, aromatherapy can have a direct impact with the olfactory nerve via the nasal cavity or through the air blood barrier via respiratory (lung) circulation when inhaled.

1. Smelled odors impact various neurotransmitters, including the limbic system, creating an anti-depressant, anxiolytic effect (Reduced Stress), and overall positive effect on mood.

2. Molecules that are circulated in the respiratory system are proposed to effect the following:

   • Regulation of Monoamines- Increases Serotonin (5-HT Levels)

   • Regulation of Neurotrophins- Increase BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is key for brain change adaptability including learning, memory, etc)

   • Regulation of Neuroendocrine System- Decrease Cortisol (Stress Hormone)

   • Regulation of Other Processes- Reduces Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Recommendations For Specific Health Conditions:

Currently, aromatherapy is in the infancy stages of study and thus does not have a strong recommendation for particular diseases, due to current study design, limited double blind testing and other rigorous testing standards to create strong recommendations. However, it has shown benefits and is recommended for the following health conditions:

1. Pain Relief

   • Overall large positive effect on reducing pain

   • Acute pain impacted greater versus chronic pain

   • Improvement in chronic knee pain, chronic neck pain, menstrual pain, labor pain, post C-section pain, postoperative pain, hemiplegic pain

2. Insomnia/Sleep Disturbance

   • Improved PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index)

   • Inhalation greater effect versus massage

   • Improved sleep latency, sleep quality, sleep length, dreams

   • Post burn victims saw improved sleep following use of aromatherapy

3. Anxiety & Depression

   • Shown to alleviate anxiety, especially temporary anxiety caused by various reasons

   • Lavender showcased the best short-term benefits versus other common derivatives

   • May show benefit reducing anxiety and depression in a palliative setting for patients with cancer

   • Post burn victims saw improved anxiety following use of aromatherapy

Precautions

• Keep away from children & pets

• Avoid prolonged use of the same oils

• Avoid undiluted oils

• Avoid the eyes

• Highly flammable

• Use in highly ventilation

• Avoid if a client has allergies or sensitivities

• Avoid unless utilized by a professional (NAHA certified)

Contraindications

• Epileptics

• Pregnant/Attempting to become pregnant (Only specific oils are safe during the third trimester)

• High and Low Blood Pressure

• Children Under 5

• Potential Phototoxicity or Oral Toxicity (Causing Chemical Burns or even Death)

• Pets

Overall Concerns

• Aromatherapy, like other herbs and supplements, are not FDA approved or regulated. Thus, the essential oils are not regulated nor are the companies regulated, which means each and every product could have substantial variance from the intended formula, variation in ingredients and chemicals added into the oil

• Further research is needed to determine proper dosing, side effects, etc

• Typically, complimentary to other medicine and therapeutic treatment for a synergistic effect

Aromatherapy is in the infancy stages of research and development for various populations. A specialist can assist with proper use, following identification of health condition, precautions, and contraindications to determine if the complimentary medicinal use is warranted. The standard use of aromatherapy has been beneficial, especially as an adjunct therapy, for several conditions including patient’s with acute and chronic pain, insomnia/sleep disturbance, and anxiety/depression. However, further research is needed for viable treatment standards. For additional details and education, see the following link.

References

Gong M, Dong H, Tang Y, Huang W, Lu F. Effects of aromatherapy on anxiety: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Affect Disord. 2020;274:1028-1040. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.118

Farrar AJ, Farrar FC. Clinical Aromatherapy. Nurs Clin North Am. 2020;55(4):489-504. doi:10.1016/j.cnur.2020.06.015

Fung TKH, Lau BWM, Ngai SPC, Tsang HWH. Therapeutic Effect and Mechanisms of Essential Oils in Mood Disorders: Interaction between the Nervous and Respiratory Systems. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(9):4844. Published 2021 May 3. doi:10.3390/ijms22094844

Lakhan SE, Sheafer H, Tepper D. The Effectiveness of Aromatherapy in Reducing Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pain Res Treat. 2016;2016:8158693. doi:10.1155/2016/8158693

Liu T, Cheng H, Tian L, Zhang Y, Wang S, Lin L. Aromatherapy with inhalation can effectively improve the anxiety and depression of cancer patients: A meta-analysis. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2022;77:118-127. doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2022.05.004

Tang Y, Gong M, Qin X, Su H, Wang Z, Dong H. The Therapeutic Effect of Aromatherapy on Insomnia: a Meta-Analysis. J Affect Disord. 2021;288:1-9. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.03.066