THE GENTLE ART OF AROMATHERAPY
Kathi Keville, Author
www.ahahherb.com
USE OF ESSENTIAL OILS IN AROMATHERAPY
The scent of a rose flower, freshly baked cinnamon rolls, mint tea brewing, or an orange as its
peeledall of these distinctive scent have traditional uses in aromatherapy. The source of
these aromas is volatile or essential oils. Formed in all fragrant plants, they provide the flavor
and scent in herbs and culinary spices. Their particular chemistry dictates each oils properties,
with essential oils particularly effective in treating poor circulation, indigestion, swelling,
infection, and skin problems. Since they penetrate through the skin, applying an aromatherapy
lotion is an effective treatment for underlying tissue. Even more intriguing is how the scent
alone has the ability to effect moods. Researchers discovered that just sniffing chamomile
produces a relaxing effect on brain waves. Peppermint and eucalyptus stimulate the mind to
make one more attentive. Aromatherapy even has potential to slow the progress of dementia.
While sniffing aromas may be a weak remedy compared to taking drugs, aromatherapy can be
safely used repeatedly, and is certainly an enjoyable method of healing.
HYPERTENSIVE ESSENTIAL OILS
ROSEMARY
BLACK PEPPER
CYPRESS
HYPOTENSIVE ESSENTIAL OILS
BERGAMOT
HOLY BASIL
CHAMOMILE
LAVENDER
CLARY SAGE
LITSEA
MANDERIN
MARJORAM
MINT
NEROLI
ROSE
SPIKENARD
YLANG YLANG
SAMPLING of RESEARCH:
EMOTIONAL EFFECTS of FRAGRANCE
LAVENDER (Lavendula offcinalis)
A study with 30 young men suggests that sniffing lavender has relaxing effects on circulation in the
heart. Blood pressure and heart rate were not affected, but the scent of lavender reduced levels of
cortisol (which is an indicator of stress in the blood and significantly improved the flow of blood
through the heart. The study with 30 young men had one group inhale the scent for 30 min (four
drops essential oil diluted into 20 ml of hot water). Cortisol levels remained unchanged in the
control group. The researchers stated that lavender is recognized as a beneficial mental relaxation
therapy that may benefit coronary circulation since it has been reported that mental stress is a risk
factor for cardiovascular events and impairs coronary circulation.
Department of Cardiovascular Science and Medicine, Chiba University Graduate School of
Medicine, Japan.
Shiina Y, et al. 2007. Relaxation effects of lavender aromatherapy improve coronary flow velocity
reserve in healthy men evaluated by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. Int J Cardiol. [Aug 7
Epub]
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The results of this study suggest that lavender induces not only relaxation, but that it also stimulates
the brain and nervous system response. The researchers checked variability in heart rate to detect
changes in autonomic tone during a treatment with the scent of lavender. Young women
underwent continuous electrocardiographic monitoring before and after (10, 20, and 30 minutes)
they inhaled lavenders fragrance. Their parasympathetic tone did increase, as well as their brain
activity, (specifically the brainstem, thalamus and cerebellum, orbitofrontal, and posterior cingulate
gyrus). There were also reductions in the eye field. In a previous study, lavender was found to
reduce mental stress and increased arousal rates in group of 15 people who were in a room scented
with lavender, the results were more pronounced then they were for a second group of 14 people
was placed into a sound protected, quiet room for 20 min without any odor, or for another 13
people who spent time in a nonstressful environment.
Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
Duan X, et al. 2007. Autonomic nervous function and localization of cerebral activity during
lavender aromatic immersion. Technol Health Care.15(2):69-78.
Department of Health Science, Osaka Kyoiku University, Kashiwara City, Japan.
Motomura N, et al. 2001. Reduction of mental stress with lavender odorant. Percept Mot Skills.
93(3):713-8.
Lavender appears to make small, but significant, changes in activity in the autonomic nervous
system. Young women in a randomized, crossover, controlled study at a nursing college in Nagano,
Japan soaked their feet in hot water for 10 minutes with and without the addition of lavender
essential oil. Electrocardiogram, fingertip blood flow, and respiratory rate were recorded. There
were no changes in heart or respiratory rates, but blood flow and parasympathetic nerve activities
did increased significantly during the footbath. The addition of lavender oil to the bath increased
autonomic nervous system relaxation.
Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Nagano College of Nursing, Japan.
Saeki Y. 2000. The effect of foot-bath with or without the essential oil of lavender on the
autonomic nervous system: a randomized trial. Complement Ther Med.8(1):2-7.
ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Lavender and rosemary are antioxidants that are known to both enhance free radical scavenging
activity and decrease the stress hormone, cortisol. These actions help to protect the body from
oxidative stress. When the 22 volunteers in this study sniffed either of the aromas for 5 minutes,
their cortisol levels decreased. Low concentrations (1000 times dilution) of lavender or high
concentrations (10 times dilution) of rosemary showed strong antioxidant effects.
Meikai University, Japan.
Atsumi T, and K Tonosaki. 2007. Smelling lavender and rosemary increases free radical scavenging
activity and decreases cortisol level in saliva. Psychiatry Res. 150(1):89-96.
The perception of pleasant scents can affect ones mood, according to this Oregon University study.
Sniffing the scent of rosemary reduced tension, anxiety, confusion, and bewilderment, as well as
vigorous activity while the 73 nonsmoking participants, ages 18-30 years, performed anxietyprovoking tasks. Both rosemary and lavender decreased fatigue compared to just sniffing water,
which was used as the control. The aroma produced no changes in temperature or heart rate.
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Psychology Division, Western Oregon University.
Burnett KM, et al. 2004. Scent and mood state following an anxiety-provoking task. Psychol Rep.
95(2):707-22.
LEMON (Citrus lemon)
A study with 56 people had them sniff the relaxing odor of lavender, the stimulating odor of
lemon, or water as a no-odor control before and after a being exposed to a physically stressful
situation (cold water) during three separate visits. Some individuals were purposely "primed" by
being told what odors they would smell during the session, and what changes to expect. However,
lemon oil enhanced positive moods regardless of the persons expectations or their previous use of
aromatherapy. Moreover, norepinephrine levels following the stressor remained elevated when
subjects smelled lemon, although not with lavender or water. DTH responses to Candida were less
after inhaling either the lemon or lavender scent compared to water. (Neither of the scents reliably
altered IL-6 and IL-10 production, salivary cortisol, heart rate or blood pressure, skin barrier repair
following tape stripping, or pain from the stressor.
Department of Psychiatry, Ohio State University.
Kiecolt-Glaser JK, et al. 2008. Olfactory influences on mood and autonomic, endocrine, and
immune function. Psychoneuroendocrinology 33(3):328-39.
PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS of ESSENTIAL OILS
VASCODIALOR, HYPOTENSIVE, ANTITHROMBOTIC
LAVENDER (Lavendula offcinalis)
Lavender essential oil opens blood vessels by relaxing vascular smooth muscle. One of its main
compounds, linalyl acetate, caused sustained and progressive relaxation during muscle contractions,
suggesting that it relaxes vascular smooth muscles (partially by activating the nitric oxide/cyclic
guanosine monophosphate pathway and activating MLC phosphatase).
Tokyo Medical & Dental University, Japan.
Koto R, et al 2006. Linalyl acetate as a major ingredient of lavender essential oil relaxes the rabbit
vascular smooth muscle through dephosphorylation of myosin light chain. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol.
48(1):850-6.
BERGAMOT (Citrus bergamia) & YLANG YLANG (Cananga odorata)
The results of this study suggest that inhaling essential oils can be an effective nursing intervention to
reduce the blood pressure, blood cortisol levels, and psychological stress of people who have high
blood pressure. The 52 volunteers were divided into three groups. The effective blend was a
combination of lavender, ylang ylang, and bergamot that was inhaled once a day for a month.
Geochang Provincial College, Korea
Hwang JH. 2006. The effects of the inhalation method using essential oils on blood pressure and
stress responses of clients with essential hypertension. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi.36(7):1123-34.
NEROLI (Orange Blossom) (Citris aurantium var. amara flos)
All the post-op patients in this controlledstudy at the Middlesex Hospital cardiac intensive care unit
found the effects of a foot massage with aromatherapy oil to be beneficial. Their anxiety levels
were lowered and their breathing slowed, indicating an increased parasympathetic response.
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Stevenson, C. 1992. orange blossom evaluation. Inter J Aromatherapy 4:22-4.
HOLY BASIL (Ocimum gratissimum)
Basil essential oil lowers blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels smooth muscle rather than
stimulating sympathetic nervous system activity. Both basil essential oil and its main constituent,
eugenol (through I.V. administration) decreased blood pressure in hypertensive rats.
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
Interaminense LF, et al. 2007.Pharmacological evidence of calcium-channel blockade by essential oil
of Ocimum gratissimum and its main constituent, eugenol, in isolated aortic rings from DOCA-salt
hypertensive rats. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 21(5):497-506.
Lahlou S, et al. 2004. Cardiovascular effects of the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum leaves in
rats: role of the autonomic nervous system. Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 31(4):219-25.
MINT (Mentha species):
The ability of mint (Mentha x villosa) to lower blood pressure is probably due to a direct
depressant action on the heart and to dilation of peripheral blood vessels. It seems to act via
vascular relaxation rather than the withdrawal of sympathetic muscle tone. Released nitric oxide
from vascular endothelial cells appears to be partially involved.
Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Brazil.
Guedes DN, et al. 2004. Endothelium-dependent hypotensive and vasorelaxant effects of the
essential oil from aerial parts of Mentha x villosa in rats. Phytomedicine11(6):490-7.
Lahlou S, et al 2002. Involvement of nitric oxide in the mediation of the hypotensive action of the
essential oil of Mentha x villosa in normotensive conscious rats. Planta Med. 68(8):694-9.
LITSEA (Litsea glutinosa)
The essential oil of litsea reduced blood pressure when given intravenously. Ligustilide, its main
component, may be responsible for its anti-hypotensive action.
National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and MolecularPharmacology, Shenzhen and Hong
Kong Polytechnic University, China.
Du JR, et al. 2007. Ligustilide reduces phenylephrine induced-aortic tension in vitro but has no
effect on systolic pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Am J Chin Med. 35(3):487-96.
Kar A, et al. 1970. Effect of essential oil of Litsea glutinosa on cardiovascular system and isolated
tissues. Indian J Exp Biol. 8(1):61-2.
SPIKENARD (Nardostachys jatamansi)
The essential oil of Indian spikenard a close relative of the sedative valerian (Valeriana officinalis),
produces a prolonged blood pressure lowering effect.
Arira RB, et al. 1985. Prolonged hypotensive effect of the essential oil of Nardostachys jatamansi.
Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther. 113(3-4):367-76.
EUCALYPTUS (Eucalyptus species).
Eucalyptol is a primary component in the essential oil of eucalyptus that relaxes bronchial and
vascular smooth muscle. The results of this study suggest that it acts as a calcium channel blocker.
Soares MC, Damiani et al. 2005. Eucalyptol, an essential oil, reduces contractile activity in rat
cardiac muscle. Braz J Med Biol Res 38(3):453-61.
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FENNEL SEED (Foeniculum vulgare)
In a study with 24 different essential oils, fennel seed oil displayed the most antiplatelet properties
when tested on an experimental model of thrombosis. It also destabilized retraction of the
coagulum. In another study, rats given it orally were protected against gastric lesions. Fennel and
anethole, its main component, were equally effective in inhibiting aggregation and preventing clot
retraction. The researchers described them as safe antithrombotics that are effective due to their
broad antiplatelet activity, clot destabilizing effect, and vasorelaxant action.
University di Parma, Italy.
Tognolini M, et al. 2007. Protective effect of Foeniculum vulgare essential oil and anethole in an
experimental model of thrombosis. Pharmacol Res.56(3):254-60.
SANDALWOOD (Santalum album)
In Ayurvedic medicine, East Indian Sandalwood is a remedy to treat both somatic and mental
disorders. In this investigation, sandalwood oil elevated the pulse rate, skin conductance level, and
systolic blood pressure more than its main compound, alpha-santalol or an odorless placebo. Alphasantalol increased attentiveness and mood than did Sandalwood oil or the placebo.
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Diagnostics, Faculty of Life Sciences,
University of Vienna, Austria.
Heuberger E, et al. 2006. East Indian Sandalwood and alpha-santalol odor increase physiological
and self-rated arousal in humans. Planta Med.72(9):792-800.
RESOURCES:
American Herb Association (Kathi Keville, director) www.ahaherb.com
American Botanical Council www.abc.org
National Holistic Association of Aromatherapists www.naha.org
BOOKS by Kathi Keville
Women's Herbs, Women's Health
Herbs For Health & Healing
Herbs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia.
Aromatherapy for Dummies.
Aromatherapy: The Complete Guide to the Healing Art.
Pocket Guide to Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy: For Healing the Body & Mind
Herbs: American Country Living
Complete Book of Herbs: Herbs to Enrich Your Garden, Home & Health
Herbs: A Guide To Growing, Cooking & Decorating
Herbs To Help Chronic Fatigue
Ginseng
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4/19/2008
