Abstract
Background: Currently, complementary and alternative medicine emerge as important therapies in the prevention and treatment of various health problems. In view of this, the present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of essential oils in reducing stress and anxiety levels in aromatherapy users, at a clinic of Braganca, Portugal. Methods: A study was performed with 36 individuals divided in two distinct groups: “aroma group” and “control group”. Individuals of aroma group were treated with a mixture of essential oils of Lavandula angustifolia Mill and Matricaria recutita L. applied with Effleurage massage while the individuals of control group received only Effleurage massage. Stress and anxiety levels of all individuals participating in the study were evaluated before and after the treatment. Additionally, the chemical composition of the essential oils was evaluated by GC and GC-MS. Results: In the aromatherapy assay, the “aroma group” showed a significant decrease of 12% and 30%, in stress and anxiety levels, respectively, in the “control group” this decrease was lower (3.3% and 2.6% for stress and anxiety levels, respectively).
Highlights
Natural products and those from plants, are used by humans since ancient times with the purpose to relief and cure diseases or to maintain health [1]
A small amount was used for the Gas chromatography (GC) and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses and the remainder was used to prepare the mixtures for further use in the aromatherapy assays
In the "aroma group” it was evident a decrease in the stress levels (12%) and anxiety (30%) after the treatment, from a rating "high" to "medium", compared to the "control group" while the levels of stress and anxiety have decreased of 3.3% and 2.6%, respectively
Summary
Natural products and those from plants, are used by humans since ancient times with the purpose to relief and cure diseases or to maintain health [1]. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes several benefits in the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) playing an important role in the treatment or prevention of chronic diseases and improving life quality [4,5]. One form of CAM, aromatherapy, comprises the use of essential oils as treatment, generally applied by inhalation, on the skin or, less frequently, orally. Aromatherapy is a form of treatment recognized by the WHO, commonly used to relieve pain, improve mood and promote a sense of relaxation and used for anxiety and daily stress problems [6]. Complementary and alternative medicine emerge as important therapies in the prevention and treatment of various health problems. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of essential oils in reducing stress and anxiety levels in aromatherapy users, at a clinic of Bragança, Portugal
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