Aromatherapy is widely used for stress relief and relaxation. In her book "Natural Beauty at Home," Janice Cox says that aromatherapy and essential oils are effective at changing the physical and mental states of individuals. Certain essential oils contain the chemical compound linalool, which in laboratory work on mice reduced the effects of stress on the nervous and immune systems. On people, a University of Maryland Medical Center report says the scents are thought to stimulate areas of the brain responsible for positive feelings.
History
The Ancient Egyptians, Romans, Greeks and Babylonians used aromatherapy and essential oils to heal, to provide stress relief and to create certain moods. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center report on aromatherapy, the term was coined by French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé during the early 1900s; however, aromatherapy as a healing art did not become popular in the United States until the 1980s. Now essential oil blends are sold in most drugstores.
Types
In Valerie Ann Worwood's "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy," the author says some common types of essential oils used in aromatherapy for relaxation and stress relief are lavender, chamomile, bergamot and rose. These oils contain the chemical compound linalool. In a study published in 2009 in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, University of Tokyo scientists found that herbs containing linalool can promote stress relief and induce relaxation by reducing the effects of stress on the nervous and immune systems.
Methods
Stress-relieving essential oils can be used in an oil diffuser or an oil burner to create a calming atmosphere. In the bath, the skin absorbs the essential oil and the inhaled aroma provides a calming of the central nervous system. Essential oils can also be used in massage for relaxation. Besides the positive feelings the scents elicit, the oils used in combination with massage induce relaxation partially by the individual's belief that this will occur, the University of Maryland Medical Center report says.
Benefits
Using aromatherapy is a natural, holistic remedy for stress. Taking a bath, getting a massage, or just inhaling the aroma of an essential oil from its bottle can provide instant stress relief and feelings of relaxation, without ingestion of harmful chemicals or substances. A study published by the journal Phytomedicine in 2009 suggests that inhaling essential oils that contain linalool can cause a significant decrease in levels of anxiety and invoke relaxation. The study was conducted by researchers at the Laboratório de Etnofarmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil.
Warnings
Some essential oils, such as cinnamon and pine, have a high phenol content, which can cause skin irritation. Do not apply these oils directly to the skin. Generally speaking, most essential oils should first be mixed with a carrier oil such as grapeseed oil or olive oil for dilution. Everyone will have a different reaction to certain oils. A person with sensitive skin should first do a patch test on a small area of skin. If irritation occurs, discontinue use immediately. The University of Maryland Medical Center article also advises against the use of essential oils by pregnant or nursing women, people with serious allergies, and individuals who suffer from asthma, as certain scents can trigger a spike in blood pressure or induce an asthma attack.
References
- "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy"; Valerie Ann Worwood; 1991
- UMMC: Aromatherapy
- Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry 57 (12): "Stress Repression in Restrained Rats by (R)-(')-Linalool Inhalation and Gene Expression Profiling of Their Whole Blood Cells"; Akio Nakamura et al; 2009
- ArticlesBase: Stress: Herb And Spice Fragrance Linalool Protects Immune System
- Phytomedicine: "Effects of Inhaled Linalool in Anxiety, Social Interaction and Aggressive Behavior in Mice"; December 2009; VM Linck et al
