Two rat studies on caraway and rosemary oils found similar results ( 26, 27, 28). One mouse study found that ingesting a combination of thyme and oregano essential oils helped induce the remission of colitis. Some test-tube studies show that they have anti-inflammatory effects ( 24, 25). It has been suggested that essential oils may help fight inflammatory conditions. The majority of studies showed that smelling the oils - mostly lavender oil - had positive effects on sleep habits ( 23). One review examined 15 studies on essential oils and sleep. Smelling lavender oil has been shown to improve the sleep quality of women after childbirth, as well as patients with heart disease ( 21, 22). However, more high-quality studies are needed. This is a traditional Persian headache remedy ( 20). What’s more, it has been suggested that applying a mixture of chamomile and sesame oil to the temples may treat headaches and migraines. Recent studies have also observed reduced headache pain after applying peppermint and lavender oil to the skin ( 18, 19). In the ’90s, two small studies found that dabbing a peppermint oil and ethanol mixture on participants’ foreheads and temples relieved headache pain ( 16, 17). It also concluded that aromatherapy was ineffective at treating anxiety ( 15). Interestingly, using essential oils during a massage may help relieve stress, although the effects may only last while the massage is taking place ( 14).Ī recent review of over 201 studies found that only 10 were robust enough to analyze. Thus, many reviews on the stress- and anxiety-relieving effects of essential oils have been inconclusive ( 12, 13). However, due to the scents of the compounds, it’s hard to conduct blinded studies and rule out biases. Many have shown that the smell of some essential oils can work alongside traditional therapy to treat anxiety and stress ( 9, 10, 11). Regarding aromatherapy, initial studies have been quite positive. It has been estimated that 43% of people who have stress and anxiety use some form of alternative therapy to help relieve their symptoms ( 8). Here’s a look at the evidence regarding some of the common health problems that essential oils and aromatherapy have been used to treat. They may stimulate your sense of smell or have medicinal effects when absorbed.ĭespite their widespread use, little is known about the ability of essential oils to treat certain health conditions. SummaryĮssential oils can be inhaled or diluted and applied to the skin. However, this has yet to be confirmed in studies. As such, some people claim that essential oils can exert a physical effect on your body. The limbic system also plays a role in controlling several unconscious physiological functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. This can partly explain why familiar smells can trigger memories or emotions ( 6, 7). Interestingly, the limbic system is heavily involved in forming memories. Inhaling the aromas from essential oils can stimulate areas of your limbic system, which is a part of your brain that plays a role in emotions, behaviors, sense of smell, and long-term memory ( 5). However, research in this area is lacking ( 3, 4). It’s thought that certain application methods can improve absorption, such as applying with heat or to different areas of the body. When applied to your skin, some plant chemicals are absorbed ( 1, 2). The chemicals in essential oils can interact with your body in several ways. Essential oils are most commonly used in the practice of aromatherapy, in which they are inhaled through various methods.Įssential oils are not meant to be swallowed.
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