Aromatherapy is one popular method used among Americans to reduce stress and prevent cardiovascular disease. In fact, some 29 percent of people responding to an American Heart Association survey published in February 2010 cited aromatherapy as a good prevention strategy. Aromatherapy advocates say it can reduce stress, improve circulation and help with heart palpitations. Evidence for aromatherapy's effectiveness, however, lags behind its popularity.
Potential
Aromatherapy is considered a "non-evidence based" therapy for improving heart health by the American Heart Association (AHA). One Japanese study published in 2008, however, does conclude that lavender aromatherapy has relaxation effects, thus providing positive effects on coronary circulation. The study also found that lavender aromatherapy improves coronary flow velocity reserve and reduces levels of serum cortisol, commonly called the stress hormone.
Function
The AHA does advise utilizing aromatherapy if it helps provide relaxation and "alone time" to those in stressful situations. However, the association recommends listening to music or going for a walk as well. Although the AHA doesn't acknowledge that stress affects heart health, it does state that stress can affect other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, overeating, smoking or physical inactivity. Managing stress is believed to enable people to make other beneficial lifestyle changes. When a person experiences stress, the body releases adrenaline, which speeds breathing and heart rate and makes blood pressure rise. Chronic stress means your body remains in such a state, on and off, for periods of time.
Theories/Speculation
Aromatherapy may help heart attack patients overcome the emotional trauma of being in an intensive care unit, report Shirley and Len Price, authors of "Aromatherapy for Health Professionals." Patients sometimes develop apathy or feel isolated and lonely in the hospital. Aromatherapy with lavender essential oil is more effective than rest and massage for improving mood, coping ability and for reducing anxiety.
Considerations
The tradition of using fragrant plants for healing goes back thousands of years and crosses many cultures, advises the National Cancer Institute. However, it is difficult to find sources that agree on which oils are best for which purposes, and much of the information provided today comes from companies that are advertising products, advises Vanderbilt University in Nashville Tennessee. Holistic Online, billed as a holistic medicine database, advises that massage with marjoram, lavender, peppermint or rose essential oils is believed to strengthen heart action. Those frequently used to alleviate clogged, hardened arteries include juniper and rosemary. Common circulation aids include lavender, basil, geranium, pine, thyme, neroli and vetiver. Oils purported to help with heart palpitations or heart failure include camphor, neroli, peppermint, lavender, Melissa, ylang-ylang and rosemary. Elemi and frankincense are recommended by Holistic Online for combating stress.
Uses
People can experience aromatherapy in a variety of ways. These include aromatherapy massage in which essential oils are diluted in a carrier oil and rubbed into a person's skin; indirect inhalation, in which a person breathes in essential oils that are put into a room diffuser or other device; direct inhalation in which a person takes in essential oils via an inhaler; and applying essential oils that are combined with dressings, lotions or bath salts.
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