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.

At the end of the seven days, all of the patients' records were collated and analysed. Interestingly, all of the patients reacted favourably to the treatment; the researchers observed increased daytime alertness, improved sleep patterns and those patients who had previously experienced confusion were observed to display as much as a 50 per cent decrease in their symptoms.

Fifty-two subjects were divided into an essential oil group, placebo group, and control group by random assignment. The application of aromatherapy was the inhalation method of blending oils lavender, ylang-ylang, and bergamot once daily for 4 weeks. To evaluate the effects of aromatherapy, blood pressure and pulse were measured twice a week Serum cortisol levels, catecholamine levels, subjective stress, and state anxiety were measured before and after treatment in the three groups.
The blood pressure, pulse, subjective stress, state anxiety, and serum cortisol levels among the three groups were significantly different. The differences of catecholamine among the three groups were not significant statistically.
The results suggest that the inhalation method using essential oils can be considered an effective nursing intervention that reduces psychological stress responses and serum cortisol levels, as well as the blood pressure of clients with hypertension.

Effects of aromatherapy (odourless condition, lavender, and hiba oil) on mood and anxiety were investigated in patients who were being treated with chronic haemodialysis. A control period consisting of natural hospital smells was established before each test session, then aromatic test conditions were systematically evaluated for odourless conditions as well as aromatic conditions containing lavender and hiba oil aromas. The effects of aromatherapy were measured using the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD) and the Hamilton rating scale for anxiety (HAMA). Hiba oil aroma significantly decreased the mean scores of HAMD and HAMA, and lavender aroma significantly decreased the mean scores of HAMA. The mean scores of HAMD and HAMA in an odourless condition were not significantly different from those of the control conditions.

Essential oils are widely used, in aromatherapy and aromatherapy massage. In aromatherapy massage, essential oil, diluted with vegetable oil, is rubbed onto the skin. Components of essential oil penetrate into the skin and have an influence on the dermis. Elastase is an enzyme which degenerates dermal elastin. Elastase activity is believed to contribute to cutaneous wrinkling and ageing. Inhibition of elastase activity by various essential oils was assessed.
Elastase activity was inhibited by various essential oils, especially by those oils derived from lemons, juniper and grapefruit. Although the specific inhibitory component was not determined, lemon oil had the greatest inhibitory effect. These studies demonstrate a possible rationale for the use of essential oil massage as a preventive treatment for cutaneous wrinkling and ageing.


For every little piece of research that gives credibility and validation to the use of essential oils and their benefits, there will be equal or probably more to the contrary. The industry needs proper scientific trials, done on a large scale with the necessary funding. Who knows if and when this will take place? Most research conducted into products to treat illness is backed by pharmaceutical companies. It is unlikely that they will compromise their profits from ‘chemical' treatments for the lesser one from natural remedies. This isn't all bad as surely essential oils would double in price.
In respect of how effective essential oils are, common sense needs to prevail. It is not intended to take the place of mainstream medicine, but to compliment it. However, there are many scenarios in which the use of therapies such as Aromatherapy can replace it. In situations where people self-medicate with over the counter products, cases where people take endless amounts of painkillers for the like of back pain, which it never addresses, the list is endless. But more importantly, as a preventative measure. Most people think about their health when they are sick, complementary therapies in general are focused not only on natural and less toxic alternatives, but on attaining and maintaining homeostasis. ‘Allowing the body to function in the most natural way, like it should'.

Credibility, legislation and regulations may be good, but is it attainable?
Sometimes things just are, the why can't be answered. People have to make choices, more and more are choosing the more natural route. Perhaps, in time therapists won't be looking for validation or credibility, who knows.
Written By: Rose Hannigan

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