The Scientific Benefits of Aromatherapy
I want to address the benefits of scent therapy or aromatherapy from a scientific angle, not just what we believe to be true. Scientific papers are difficult to wade through, so I will break it down into digestible language and include a scientific summary below. The benefits of aromatherapy have been used in China for 5000 years, so the summary below is from a Chinese paper called “A narrative review of aromatherapy: Mechanisms and clinical value in physiological and psychological regulation”. If you want all the fun of the scientific language, just skip to the last paragraph.
Aromatherapy acts on the immune system by decreasing inflammation. Inflammation is a defense mechanism of the body, but chronic inflammation can lead to disease. Aromatherapy also decreases the effects of free radicals, which can damage our tissues and even DNA. Free radicals contribute to several diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.
Aromatherapy decreases anxiety chemically by using a nerve system transmitter called GABA. GABA forces your brain to slow down when chaotic thoughts are racing.
As you probably know, essential oils have their own special effects on the body. Lavender is known to reduce pain and anxiety. Rosemary is known for increasing brain function.
It’s important to know that the claims of essential oils are not just hype, they are grounded in science. Oak Manour has a line of 100% natural products with essential oils. We hope you’ll try them and let us know what you think!
Scientific Article Summary “A narrative review of aromatherapy: Mechanisms and clinical value in physiological and psychological regulation”:
“From a physiological perspective, olfactory molecules can enter the bloodstream either through the olfactory system or via transdermal absorption, subsequently modulating the immune system. They have been shown to inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, enhance the expression of anti-inflammatory factors, scavenge free radicals, reduce cellular oxidative stress, and mitigate systemic inflammatory responses. Regarding psychological effects, aromatherapy modulates the secretion of neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), thereby alleviating anxiety. Additionally, it influences emotional states and cognitive functions by stimulating the olfactory system, which interacts with the limbic system and brain regions involved in emotional processing. Specific essential oils like lavender demonstrate substantial evidence for analgesic and anxiolytic effects, while Rosmarinus officinalis shows efficacy in enhancing cognitive function.”