Wednesday 21 July 2010

Aromatherapy Trials

A four month parallel group, placebo controlled trial undertaken in three centres shown Melissa officinalis (Melissa) extract is of value in the management of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and has a positive effect on agitation in such patients.J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry.http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/74/7/863.abstract
Controlled studies have found that lavender essential oils used in aromatherapy is helpful for calming people with Alzheimer’s by modestly decreasing agitatedbehavior.
Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) and Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary), have been investigated repeatedly for their effects on anxiety, and their specific chemical constituents, linalool and linalyl acetate, have been identified as having anti-panic or anti-anxiety actions.
Bastard,J and Tiran,D (2006).Aromatherapy and massage for antenatal anxiety: Its effects on the fetus. http://www.aromatherapy.ir/article/Aroma%2027.pdf
Janice et al (2008) gives details of a randomized controlled trial which examined the psychological, autonomic, endocrine, and immune effects of one relaxant odour Lavandula angustifolia and one stimulant odor citrus limonum. 56 healthy men and women were exposed to each of the odours, and distilled water as a control, during resting and stress conditions. Electroencephalogram (EEG) computations showed that Lavandula angustifolia increased patterns consistent with drowsiness, and subjects reported greater relaxation. The studyshowed clear and reliable evidence that inhalation of citrus limonum enhances positive mood and also boosts norepinephrine release, invoking catecholamine changes.
Janice,K Et.al.(2008).Olfactory influences on mood and autonomic endocrine, and immune function.Journal of Psychoneuroendocrinology.Volume 33
The impact Complementary Therapies can have on people who are stressed, depressed, anxious or suffering from other mental health problems, can be profoundly positive. TheJournal of Biological Chemistry, 2010 report on new findings showing the benefits of inhalation of the essential oil Jasmine, helping soothe, relieve anxiety and promote sleep, reporting to be a safe alternative to medications such a valium
A study of depressed men showed that the citrus aromatherapy fragrance reduced their intake of antidepressants.

Research has shown that the essential oil Ylang-Ylang, a tropical flower,causes the pituitary gland to secrete more euphoric endorphins.

Grapefruit essential oil has been found to stimulate the brain to produce the natural painkiller called encephalin.

And studies have found that the scent of the essential oil Marjoram boosts theproduction of the calming neurotransmitter called serotonin.

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