Review: Aromatherapy and Stress Reduction.

Whitten, Cheryl

Stress plays a critical role in disease, immune response and function, and endocrine, nervous, cardiovascular, and neurological systems. During perception of an acute stressful event, stress hormones are released that immobilize innate immune system cells for defense, increase blood pressure and heart rate, suspend growth and gonadal hormones, and make energy stores available (Schneiderman et al., 2005). This energy is diverted to the brain and skeletal tissues. The body generally adapts to stress activation, but long-term stress leads to chronic system activation, resulting in immune dysregulation, lowered immunity, slowed wound healing, persistent high blood pressure, damaged arteries, brain atrophy, neurogenesis disorders, behavioural and mood disorders, depression and more (Schneiderman et al., 2005; Yaribeygi et al., 2017). Cells become resistant to cortisol, leading to excessive inflammation and exacerbation of disease, especially in autoimmunity. Aromatherapy is an attractive intervention given there are few precautions or contraindications. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Orange (Citrus sinensis), Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea), and Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) essential oils reduce salivary cortisol levels after inhalation. Orange oil reduces blood pressure, respiration, and heart rates following inhalation. Serotonin plasma concentration levels increased following inhalation of Clary Sage oil (Lee et al., 2014). Further, Vetiver oil increases total waking time and alertness, and has anxiolytic effects following inhalation (Cheaha et al., 2016). These findings suggest that inhalation of these essential oils are effective methods of managing cortisol levels and therefore reducing stress. The earth is undergoing incredible stress, our food systems are not as nourishing as they used to be, and our bodies are experiencing pollution and toxins everywhere we turn. We seem to be undergoing so much stress just by simply being alive. Autoimmune disease, anxiety, depression and cancers occur at high rates and some research indicates stress plays an important role (Sloan et al., 2010; Lutgendorf et al., 2005; 2010).

AROMATHERAPY; JOB stress; ESSENTIAL oils; BLOOD pressure; LAVENDERS

International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy, 2020, Vol 8, Issue 4, p45

2167-8588

Academic Journal