Aromatherapy
Alternate names: Aroma, Aroma Therapy, Aroma Treatment, Aromaterapia, Aromathérapie, Aromatic Oils, Aromatic Therapy, Essential Oils, Huiles Aromatiques, Huiles Essentielles, Scent therapy, Traitement par les Essences de Plantes
Actions: Analgesic, Anticonvulsant, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiparasitic, Antiviral, Immunologic, Insecticidal, Neurologic/CNS, Sedative, Stimulant
Background
Aromatherapy involves inhaling essential oils or applying them to the skin to improve physical, emotional, or spiritual well-being. Essential oils are plant oils.
The term "essential" is used because the oil contains the plant's "essence," or the smell that is characteristic of the plant. Smelling essential oils is thought to affect the brain. Depending on the oil used, these effects may include feelings of relaxation, pain relief, and others.
People commonly use aromatherapy for insomnia, anxiety, labor pain, stress, depression, menopausal symptoms, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
To learn about specific essential oils used in aromatherapy, including bergamot oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, and many others, review those specific topics.
The term "essential" is used because the oil contains the plant's "essence," or the smell that is characteristic of the plant. Smelling essential oils is thought to affect the brain. Depending on the oil used, these effects may include feelings of relaxation, pain relief, and others.
People commonly use aromatherapy for insomnia, anxiety, labor pain, stress, depression, menopausal symptoms, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
To learn about specific essential oils used in aromatherapy, including bergamot oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, and many others, review those specific topics.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Essential oils are possibly unsafe. Taking essential oils by mouth isn't standard practice for aromatherapy, but sometimes oils are marketed this way. Swallowing too much of any oil can be unsafe and might cause severe side effects including seizures and life-threatening kidney problems.
When applied to the skin: Safety concerns vary depending on the type and amount of essential oil used. See individual oils to learn about their safety when applied to the skin. It is possibly unsafe to apply excessive amounts of essential oil to the skin or to apply essential oils to broken skin.
When inhaled: Safety concerns vary depending on the type and amount of aromatherapy oil used. See individual oils to learn about their safety when inhaled.
When applied to the skin: Safety concerns vary depending on the type and amount of essential oil used. See individual oils to learn about their safety when applied to the skin. It is possibly unsafe to apply excessive amounts of essential oil to the skin or to apply essential oils to broken skin.
When inhaled: Safety concerns vary depending on the type and amount of aromatherapy oil used. See individual oils to learn about their safety when inhaled.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Safety concerns vary depending on the type and amount of essential oil used. See individual oils to learn about their safety when applied to the skin or inhaled. The International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists warns that the following essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy: oregano, thyme, savory, clove, cinnamon, cumin, aniseed, fennel, anise star, sweet birch, and wintergreen. It is also possibly unsafe to use essential oils by mouth. When taken by mouth, some essential oils can cause severe side effects including seizures and life-threatening kidney problems.Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Anxiety. Lavender oil aromatherapy and aromatherapy massage seem to reduce long-term and short-term anxiety. Other essential oils might also help, but it's not clear which might be best.
- Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea). Aromatherapy seems to help reduce painful menstrual cramps. But it is unclear which essential oils or oil blends work best. It's also unclear whether a massage with aromatherapy or simply inhaling aromatherapy is best.
- Fatigue. Aromatherapy seems to help reduce fatigue in people with long-term health conditions. But it is unclear which essential oils or oil blends work best.
- Insomnia. Aromatherapy seems to improve the quality of sleep in people who are healthy and in those with other health conditions, including cancer.
- Labor pain. Adding lavender oil aromatherapy to standard treatment during labor seems to help reduce labor pain. It's not clear if other essential oils help.
- Pain after surgery. Adding lavender oil aromatherapy to standard treatment seems to help reduce pain after surgery. It's not clear if other essential oils help.
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Aromatherapy improves mental and emotional PMS symptoms. But it's not clear which essential oils are most helpful.
- Anxiety before a procedure. Aromatherapy might help reduce anxiety before surgery, especially before minor surgeries. But it's not clear which essential oil might work best.
- Stress. Aromatherapy with lavender and other essential oils might help reduce feelings of stress.
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
- Pain in people with cancer. Aromatherapy with lavender oil does not seem to reduce pain in people with cancer.
- Childbirth. Using inhaled aromatherapy during labor does not seem to affect labor duration, contractions, or the need for a C-section.
Dosing & administration
Aromatherapy uses diluted essential oils, which are usually inhaled or applied to the skin. Essential oils can also be vaporized in the air with diffusers, by heating the oil, or by adding the oil to a hot bath. Aromatherapy uses many different essential oils. See specific topics for more information on how they are commonly used.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Aromatherapy uses many different essential oils. See specific topics for interaction information.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Aromatherapy uses many different essential oils. See specific topics for interaction information.
Interactions with foods
Aromatherapy uses many different essential oils. See specific topics for interaction information.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 31/01/2024 11:00:00 and last updated on 01/03/2023 09:07:42. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
