A Guide to Using Aromatherapy in Anxiety Management

A Guide to Using Aromatherapy in Anxiety Management

Aromatherapy is a Type of Complementary and Alternative Practice

 Although psychological counseling and medication are conventionally used to treat anxiety, complementary and alternative practices are becoming more prominent in research [15]. Complementary and alternative practices include:

1. Alternative medical systems like acupuncture [15].
2. Biologically-based therapies like herbal teas and dieting  [15].
3. Mind-body therapies like meditation, hypnosis, and aromatherapy  [15].
4. Energy therapies like Reiki  [15].
5. Manipulative and body-based methods like massage and chiropractic medicine [15].

In the United Kingdom, nurses can be licensed to use complementary therapies to help treat their patients [1]. Professional research is conducted to determine the efficacy of complementary and alternative medicines for specific diseases and disorders. Although the research is still in its early stages and should be interpreted with caution, an ample amount of researchers report conclusions that support the use of complementary and alternative practices for mental health [See Our Blog].

 

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is a type of mind-body complementary practice that uses the volatile oil of certain plants to promote physical, spiritual, and physiological health [1]. Volatile oils, also known as essential oils, come from seeds, stems, leaves, needles, petals, flowers, rinds and fruits, woods and resins, roots and rhizomes, and grasses [4]. The essential oils are used via topical application like massage lotions, absorption through inhalation, or oral absorption through capsules [4]. Aromatherapy has been determined to reduce anxiety levels [1,4,5,14,16].

  

How do you use aromatherapy for anxiety?

The most popular forms of aromatherapy are massage, inhalation, compresses, baths, and topical applications [1]. The main method is to apply the essential oils to a surface or disperse in the air through the use of applicators and use deep breathing exercises to inhale the calming aromas [1]. The specific aromas that have been determined to decrease anxiety are listed below, along with applicators to use with essential oils.

 

What Aromas Have Been Found to Reduce Anxiety? 

1. Lavender [3]

 

2. Rose [1]

 

 

4. Lemon [9]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Common Essential Oils Applicators

     

     

    3. Roller

     

     

    5. Bath Salts or Shower Steamers

     

    6. Lotion

     

     

    8. Pillow Spray

     

     

     

    Check out our aromatherapy collection to get started with your aromatherapy routine today!  

    References:

    1. Barati, F., Nasiri, A., Akbari, N., & Sharifzadeh, G. (2016). The effect of aromatherapy on anxiety in patients. Nephrourology Monthly, 8(5). https://doi.org/10.5812/numonthly.38347
    2. Borgonetti, V., López, V., & Galeotti, N. (2022). Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook. f. & Thomson) essential oil reduced neuropathic-pain and associated anxiety symptoms in mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 294, 115362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.115362
    3. Donelli, D., Antonelli, M., Bellinazzi, C., Gensini, G. F., & Firenzuoli, F. (2019). Effects of lavender on anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytomedicine, 65, 153099. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2019.153099
    4. Farrar, A. J., & Farrar, F. C. (2020). Clinical aromatherapy. Nursing Clinics, 55(4), 489-504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2020.06.015 
    5. Gong, M., Dong, H., Tang, Y., Huang, W., & Lu, F. (2020). Effects of aromatherapy on anxiety: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Affective Disorders, 274, 1028-1040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.118
    6. Hozumi, H., Hasegawa, S., Tsunenari, T., Sanpei, N., Arashina, Y., Takahashi, K., ... & Tomimatsu, S. (2017). Aromatherapies using Osmanthus fragrans oil and grapefruit oil are effective complementary treatments for anxious patients undergoing colonoscopy: A randomized controlled study. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 34, 165-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.08.012
    7. Jia, Y., Zou, J., Wang, Y., Zhang, X., Shi, Y., Liang, Y., ... & Yang, M. (2021). Action mechanism of Roman chamomile in the treatment of anxiety disorder based on network pharmacology. Journal of Food Biochemistry, 45(1), e13547. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.13547
    8. Kim, M., Shin, Y. K., & Seol, G. H. (2021). Inhalation of clary sage oil before chemotherapy alleviates anxiety and stress without changing blood pressure: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science, 23(4), 267-275. https://doi.org/10.7586/jkbns.2021.23.4.267
    9. Özer, Z., Teke, N., Turan, G. B., & Bahçecik, A. N. (2022). Effectiveness of lemon essential oil in reducing test anxiety in nursing students. Explore, 18(5), 526-532. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2022.02.003
    10. Rashidi-Fakari, F., Tabatabaeichehr, M., & Mortazavi, H. (2015). The effect of aromatherapy by essential oil of orange on anxiety during labor: A randomized clinical trial. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 20(6), 661. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4700683/ 
    11. Rombolà, L., Tridico, L., Scuteri, D., Sakurada, T., Sakurada, S., Mizoguchi, H., ... & Morrone, L. A. (2017). Bergamot essential oil attenuates anxiety-like behaviour in rats. Molecules, 22(4), 614. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22040614
    12. Shahidpour, F., Mehrjerdi, F. Z., Mozayan, M. R., Marefati, N., & Hosseini, M. (2021). The effects of frankincense extract on depression and anxiety-like behaviors induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats. Learning and Motivation, 73, 101708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lmot.2021.101708
    13. Soleimani, M., Kashfi, L. S., & Ghods, A. A. (2022). The effect of aromatherapy with peppermint essential oil on anxiety of cardiac patients in emergency department: A placebo-controlled study. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 46, 101533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101533
    14. Tabatabaeichehr, M., & Mortazavi, H. (2020). The effectiveness of aromatherapy in the management of labor pain and anxiety: A systematic review. Ethiopian journal of health sciences, 30(3). https://doi.org/10.4314/ejhs.v30i3.16
    15. Tabish, S. A. (2008). Complementary and alternative healthcare: is it evidence-based? International journal of health sciences, 2(1), V. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3068720/ 
    16. Tan, L., Liao, F. F., Long, L. Z., Ma, X. C., Peng, Y. X., Lu, J. M., ... & Fu, C. G. (2023). Essential oils for treating anxiety: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and network meta-analysis. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1144404. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1144404
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