What Is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils extracted from plants. Each essential oil has a different chemical makeup that affects how it smells, how it is absorbed and how it is used by the body. 

Some of the oils most commonly used in aromatherapy include:

• Roman chamomile
• Geranium
• Lavender 
• Tea tree
• Lemon
• Ginger
• Cedarwood
• Bergamot 

Aromatherapy may be employed in several different ways. According to the National Cancer Institute, these include the following:

• Indirect inhalation, in which the oil is placed in a diffuser and dispersed throughout the patient’s room. The oils may also be placed on a tissue or cotton ball and placed next to the patient’s bed or chair.  
• Direct inhalation, in which a patient uses an inhaler that uses a few drops of essential oil set atop hot water. 
• Massage, in which one or more essential oils is added to a carrier oil and massaged into the skin. 

One of the most common uses of aromatherapy is to relieve stress and anxiety. According to Hopkins Medicine, the scent of inhaled oils travels through the olfactory nerves directly to an area of the brain known as the amygdala, which processes fear-inducing stimuli. This action may be responsible for its calming effect. However, this premise hasn’t been proven scientifically. Moreover, a study conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health found no change in biochemical markers, immune function or other stress indicators in individuals who received aromatherapy while under stress. 

Essential oils have also been shown to have antidepressant qualities, particularly in people with cancer. And according to Dr. Brent A. Bauer, director of the Department of Internal Medicine’s Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, the use of lavender oil specifically may help to reduce pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee, improve sleep quality in people with dementia and help alleviate pain from kidney stones. 

Aromatherapy is also used in combination with other Integrative health approaches to improve the quality of life for people with cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, many cancer patients find that aromatherapy helps to relieve stress and anxiety and reduce chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. Aromatherapy is also widely employed in hospice and palliative care.

Sources

“Aromatherapy With Essential Oils (PDQ®)–Patient Version”. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/aromatherapy-pdq#link/_45 

“A Review on the Effects of Aromatherapy for Patients with Depressive Symptoms”. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2008.0333?2= 

“Home Remedies: What are the benefits of aromatherapy?”. Mayo Clinic. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/home-remedies-what-are-the-benefits-of-aromatherapy/ 

“Aromatherapy”. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/aromatherapy 

“Aromatherapy: Do Essential Oils Really Work?” Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/aromatherapy-do-essential-oils-really-work