With the right combination of herbs, the calming effects of aromatherapy can help to reduce anxiety.
Sometimes studied in combination with massage (as essential oils are often used during a massage treatment), research suggests that aromatherapy can indeed help reduce anxiety in some people.11,43
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With the right combination of herbs, calming effects of aromatherapy can help to reduce anxiety, a major symptom of panic disorder.
In aromatherapy, chemical compounds in oils are absorbed in the body through skin application and/or inhalation. Oils in certain herbs contain chemical compounds that activate the limbic system.
With the right combination of herbs, calming effects of aromatherapy can help to reduce anxiety, a major symptom of panic disorder.
With the right combination of herbs, the calming effects of aromatherapy can help to reduce anxiety.
In aromatherapy, chemical compounds in oils are absorbed in the body through skin application and/or inhalation. Oils in certain herbs contain chemical compounds that activate the limbic system.
In aromatherapy, chemical compounds in oils are absorbed in the body through skin application and/or inhalation. Oils in certain herbs contain chemical compounds that activate the limbic system. With the right combination of herbs, the calming effects of aromatherapy can help to reduce anxiety.
Several relatively poorly designed studies hint that aromatherapy combined with massage may help to relieve anxiety in people without Alzheimer's disease.5 Another study suggests that aromatherapy with geranium oil might modestly reduce anxiety levels (again in people without Alzheimer's).6
However, in a trial of 66 women waiting to undergo abortions, 10 minutes of inhaling the essential oils of vetivert, bergamot, and geranium failed to reduce anxiety significantly more than placebo treatment.7
In another study, rosemary oil failed to reduce tension during an anxiety provoking task, and might have actually increased anxiety.49
Several relatively poorly designed studies hint that aromatherapy combined with massage may help to relieve anxiety in people without Alzheimer's disease.5 Another study suggests that aromatherapy with geranium oil might modestly reduce anxiety levels (again in people without Alzheimer's).6
However, in a trial of 66 women waiting to undergo abortions, 10 minutes of inhaling the essential oils of vetivert, bergamot, and geranium failed to reduce anxiety significantly more than placebo treatment.7
In another study, rosemary oil failed to reduce tension during an anxiety provoking task, and might have actually increased anxiety.49
With the right combination of herbs, the calming effects of aromatherapy can help to reduce anxiety.
Aromatherapy involves using the concentrated oils of medicinal herbs to energize or relax the body. These volatile oils (those that evaporate when exposed to the air) can be easily absorbed through inhalation or application on the skin.
Find other natural remedies for depression.
Aromatherapy involves using the concentrated oils of medicinal herbs to energize or relax the body. These volatile oils (those that evaporate when exposed to the air) can be easily absorbed through inhalation or application on the skin.
Find other natural remedies for depression.
Essential oils can be toxic when taken internally, producing unpleasant and even fatal effects. Toxicity studies have not been performed for many essential oil products, and maximum safe dosages remain unknown. 1 Infants, children, seniors, and people with severe illnesses should not use essential oils internally except under the supervision of a physician; healthy adults should only use well established products (such as peppermint oil) for which safe dosages have been determined.
Inhaled or topical use of essential oils is much safer than oral use. However, allergic reactions to inhaled or topical plant fragrances are not uncommon. 2 Furthermore, when applied to the skin, some essential oils might also promote sunburning (photosensitization), raise the risk of skin cancer, or be absorbed sufficiently to cause toxic effects. 3 In addition, one report suggests that a combination of lavender oil and tea tree oil applied topically caused gynecomastia (breast enlargement) in three young boys. 4
Essential oils can be toxic when taken internally, producing unpleasant and even fatal effects. Toxicity studies have not been performed for many essential oil products, and maximum safe dosages remain unknown. 1 Infants, children, seniors, and people with severe illnesses should not use essential oils internally except under the supervision of a physician; healthy adults should only use well established products (such as peppermint oil) for which safe dosages have been determined.
Inhaled or topical use of essential oils is much safer than oral use. However, allergic reactions to inhaled or topical plant fragrances are not uncommon. 2 Furthermore, when applied to the skin, some essential oils might also promote sunburning (photosensitization), raise the risk of skin cancer, or be absorbed sufficiently to cause toxic effects. 3 In addition, one report suggests that a combination of lavender oil and tea tree oil applied topically caused gynecomastia (breast enlargement) in three young boys. 4
In aromatherapy, chemical compounds in oils are absorbed in the body through skin application and/or inhalation. Oils in certain herbs contain chemical compounds that activate the limbic system.
Rosemary, lemon, bergamont, jasmine and clary sage have been shown to have stimulating properties which can alleviate depressive symptoms of fatigue, lack of concentration, despair, and grief. Rose, lavender, ylang-ylang, neroli and sandalwood have been shown to have sedating properties which can reduce depressive symptoms of restlessness and sleep disturbance. These essential oils stimulate the raphe nucleus, which produces serotonin. Parsnip, parsley, and nutmeg contain the chemical myristicin, which has been shown to act as monoamine oxidase inhibitor.1
Perhaps the most conclusive evidence of the efficacy of aromatherapy is that it has been used in many ancient healing traditions for thousands of years.2 A report discussing the antidepressant properties of essential oils by Perry and Perry notes that some studies have shown aromatherapy improves mood in healthy adults.3 Yet there are very few sound clinical trials on the effects of aromatherapy specifically on clinically depressed persons. However, aromatherapy is seen as a potentially effective treatment for a range of psychiatric disorders and given it has few adverse side effects, further methodologically sounds research is clearly warranted.
