Effects Of Aromatic Plants Research Articles

Clinical Study on the Effect of Aromatic Plants on Stress and Appetite Control in 20s Women

Purpose: This study explores the health complications, such as binge eating, resulting from extreme weight control methods driven by distorted body perception. In cases where the desired weight is not achieved, increased stress levels are observed. Notably, adolescents and young women constitute 1-3% of the nervosa prevalence rate, with women representing 90% of this demographic. This highlights the significance of addressing stress-induced nervosa. The objective is to evaluate the effects of inhaling pomegranate scent on stress and appetite control among women in their 20s.Methods: Participants were instructed to spray a designated fragrance 1-2 times onto a scent strip, inhale it from approximately 5cm away from the nose, and then complete stress questionnaires and appetite evaluations. The data were processed and analyzed using SPSS 26.0.Results: Among overweight participants, a decline in appetite was observed after inhaling the scent (M=4.11) compared to before (M=6.67). Despite this decrease, the variations in appetite across different groups did not show a statistically significant difference. However, the study found a notable reduction in stress levels associated with appetite after inhaling the pomegranate scent, with post-inhalation stress scores (M=20.38) being significantly lower than pre-inhalation scores (M=49.33). These results suggest the effectiveness of pomegranate scent in reducing appetite-related stress.Conclusion: The findings indicate that inhaling pomegranate scent may help reduce stress levels in women in their 20s, aiding in the management of stress-related appetite issues. This research is expected to contribute valuable insights for the development of fragrance products aimed at reducing stress and controlling appetite.

Possible Effect of Aromatic Plants and Essential Oils against COVID-19: Review of Their Antiviral Activity

Aim: Till now, no specific treatment is available for COVID-19. This work is carried out with the aim of verifying in the literature the antiviral properties of aromatic plants and essential oils that can justify their use against the causative agent of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2.
 Methodology: The literature review was based mainly on the usual databases such as PubMed, PubMed Central., Science Direct, SCIELO, DOAJ, Science alert, Semantic scholar and Google scholar.
 Results: A survey of literature reveals that aromatic plants and their essential oils are active against a large number of viruses (Herpes virus-1, Herpes virus-2, HIV, Adeno virus, Hepatite B Virus, Enterovirus 71, JUNV, etc.) and even against SARS-CoV-1 which has 96% of the same genetic background with SARS-CoV-2.
 Conclusion: Aromatic plants and their essential oils exhibit high antiviral activities against several types of viruses. This evidence stemming from several experimental studies means that some compounds derived from essential oils could act as inhibitors of COVID-19.
 Molecular docking investigations and pharmacoinformatics of some compounds derived from essential oils with SARS-CoV-2 protease are in progress to identify the potential inhibitors of the virus.

Intercropping garlic plants reduces Tetranychus urticae in strawberry crop.

The effect of aromatic plants on number of twospotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch, when intercropped with strawberry were assessed in the field. During the first year, chives (Allium schoenoprasum L.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), garlic (Allium sativum L.), oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), or sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) were intercropped with strawberry. Assessments were performed on TSSM populations by taking six samples from July 20 to September 20, 2012. During the second year, garlic plants were intercropped between rows of strawberry at three densities in greenhouse and field. Mobile forms and eggs numbers (only in field) of TSSM were evaluated from April 18 to June 05 (greenhouse) and June 06 to August 14, 2013 (field). It was found that intercropping with garlic caused a greater reduction of TSSM (up to 52%) in strawberry plants when higher populations of TSSM occurred in the field. TSSM reduction was found in one sample when fennel and chives were intercropped with strawberries (42 and 50% reduction, respectively); this also occurred when populations of TSSM were higher. The three densities of garlic plants (one, two and three rows among the strawberry rows) reduced TSSM mobile forms by 49, 53 and 60% (greenhouse) and 44, 51 and 65% (field), and eggs by 38, 43 and 64% (field), respectively. The results suggest that intercropping garlic plants between strawberry rows is a promising strategy to reduce TSSM populations.

What are the effects of aromatic plants and meteorological factors on Pseudococcus comstocki and its predators in pear orchards?

The interactions of major pests with their natural enemies in the environment of intercropped orchards have recently received much attention. In this study, eight aromatic plant species, namely Mentha canadensis L. (Lamiaceae), Tagetes patula L. (Asteraceae), Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae), Satureja hortensis L. (Lamiaceae), Agerarum houstonianum Mill (Asteraceae), Ocimum × citriodorum Vis. (Lamiaceae), Nepeta cataria L. (Lamiaceae) and Centaurea cyanus L. (Asteraceae), were used to evaluate the effects of intercropping with aromatic plants on Comstock mealybugs (Pseudococcus comstocki Kuwana) and their natural predators. The effects of meteorological factors on Comstock mealybug were also investigated. Compared with natural grass or clean tillage plots, intercropping with aromatic plants significantly reduced the abundance of Comstock mealybugs and increased that of their predators, thereby increasing the ratio of natural enemies to pests. In the intercropped plots, the individual number Comstock mealybugs was reduced by 22.71–76.76 %; the peak period for Comstock mealybugs was delayed by 10–20 days, and the peak period for their predators was advanced by 0–60 days. The presence of Comstock mealybugs was significantly positively correlated with precipitation in all plots and significantly negatively correlated with sunshine duration. In conclusion, intercropping with aromatic plants significantly reduced the individual number of Comstock mealybugs, especially intercropping with A. houstonianum. Furthermore, this effect was enhanced during the summer months with high precipitation levels and long periods of sunshine.

Effects of aromatic plants on potato storage: sprout suppression and antimicrobial activity

Sprout suppressant properties of the essential oils of Lavandula angustifolia (lavender), Mentha pulegium (mint), Mentha spicata (spearmint), Origanum onites (Turkish oregano), Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum (Greek oregano), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), and Salvia fruticosa (sage) were assessed. Except for oregano oils, all other essential oils suppressed potato sprout growth. Those of L. angustifolia, Salvia frucicosa and R. officinalis were the most effective. Application of crude herbs, instead of extracted essential oils, lead to comparable results. The inhibition is reversible, thus allowing subsequent normal sprouting of seed potatoes. The essential oils of the above mentioned aromatic plants, as well as those of Coridothymus capitatus (Spanish oregano), Origanum dictamnus (Cretan dittany), and Satureja thymbra, were also found to possess potent antimicrobial activities against Erwinia carotovora strains and bacteria isolated from the surface of potato tubers. The carvacrol-containing essential oils, and particularly that of Greek oregano, had the strongest effect. Use of aromatic plants could be an effective and safe way to prolong the storage life of potato tubers, at the same time protecting them from certain microbial attacks. This holds, in particular, for regions such as the Mediterranean, where prolongation of tuber dormancy needs more drastic and costly measures, because of the high temperatures. As aromatic plants grow natively and in abundance, their use would be cost-effective.