Psychoneuroimmunological benefits of aromatherapy

Rosa Damascena mill for treating adults' anxiety, depression, and stress: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Recent studies have reported conflicting findings on the antianxiety, antidepressant, and anti-stress properties of Rosa Damascena Mill (RDM). Therefore, the present systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted on the effects of RDM for treating anxiety, depression, and stress amongst adults. The online data sources of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ProQuest, and Scientific Information Database were searched from inception to June 30, 2021. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which examined the effects of RDM (in any form of administration) on adults' anxiety, depression, and stress, were included. A random-effects model was applied to pool the data, and a total of 32 publications were included. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that administration of RDM significantly reduced state anxiety (effect size [ES]: 24, standardized mean difference [SMD]: -1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.29, -1.20; p < .001), depression (ES: 7, SMD: -0.87, 95% CI: -1.47, -0.28; p = .004), and stress (ES: 4, SMD: -1.33, 95% CI: -1.98, -0.69; p < .001). However, the treatment had no significant effect on trait anxiety (ES: 6, weighted mean difference: -0.75, 95% CI: -1.93, 0.43; p = .214). The association between the total administration dosage and/or duration of RDM and the changes in state anxiety and depression was not dose-dependent. Most RCTs had a fair methodological quality based on the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Besides, the quality of evidence ranged from very low to moderate according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Hence, further high-quality RCTs are needed to draw reliable conclusions regarding the use of RDM for treating adults' anxiety, depression, and stress.

A review on the effects of aromatherapy for patients with depressive symptoms

PURPOSE

We reviewed studies from 2000 to 2008 on using essential oils for patients with depression or depressive symptoms and examined their clinical effects.

METHODS

The review was conducted among five electronic databases to identify all peer-reviewed journal papers that tested the effects of aromatherapy in the form of therapeutic massage for patients with depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

The results were based on six studies examining the effects of aromatherapy on depressive symptoms in patients with depression and cancer. Some studies showed positive effects of this intervention among these three groups of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend that aromatherapy could continue to be used as a complementary and alternative therapy for patients with depression and secondary depressive symptoms arising from various types of chronic medical conditions. More controlled studies with sound methodology should be conducted in the future to ascertain its clinical effects and the underlying psychobiologic mechanisms.

Effects of inhaled Linalool in anxiety, social interaction and aggressive behavior in mice

Aromatherapy uses essential oils (EOs) for several medical purposes, including relaxation. The association between the use of aromas and a decrease in anxiety could be a valuable instrument in managing anxiety in an ever increasing anxiogenic daily life style. Linalool is a monoterpene commonly found as the major volatile component of EOs in several aromatic plant species. Adding to previously reported sedative effects of inhaled linalool, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inhaled linalool on anxiety, aggressiveness and social interaction in mice. Additionally, we investigated the effects of inhaled linalool on the acquisition phase of a step-down memory task in mice. Inhaled linalool showed anxiolytic properties in the light/dark test, increased social interaction and decreased aggressive behavior; impaired memory was only seen the higher dose of linalool. These results strengthen the suggestion that inhaling linalool rich essential oils can be useful as a mean to attain relaxation and counteract anxiety.

Prophylactic role for complementary and alternative medicine in perinatal programming of adult health

BACKGROUND

The health status of an individual in adulthood is proposed to be determined by events occurring in the prenatal and early postnatal period. A common early life event proven to have long lasting effects on the developing fetus is stress, including pain. Exposure of fetal and neonatal infants to repetitive psychological (e.g., maternal stress) or physiological (e.g., pain, infection, and noise) stress during this period is proposed to alter mechanisms involved in the regulation of stress, immunological maturation, pain perception, and cognition. Such changes, which persist into adulthood, may occur via alterations in the development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This process is typically referred to as 'perinatal programming'. Ontogenic alterations in the development of the HPA-axis have been related to a number of adult pathologies such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, as well as psychopathologies such as anxiety and depression.

OBJECTIVE

In this review, the effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), such as music, dietary supplements, massage and aromatherapy, in reducing perinatal stress in mothers and infants is examined. An emphasis is placed on these therapies as preventative measures which may be of value to individuals at risk of developing disease profiles associated with the consequences of adverse perinatal programming. The widening interest in perinatal programming and CAM suggests the potential for CAM to become a valuable tool in offsetting negative adult health outcomes resulting from perinatal programming associated with adverse gestational early life environments.

Aromatherapy in the management of psychiatric disorders: clinical and neuropharmacological perspectives

Aromatherapy is currently used worldwide in the management of chronic pain, depression, anxiety, some cognitive disorders, insomnia and stress-related disorders. Although essential oils have been used, reputedly effectively, for centuries as a traditional medicine, there is very little verified science behind this use. The pharmacology of the essential oils and/or their single chemical constituents, therefore, remains largely undiscovered. However, accumulating evidence that inhaled or dermally applied essential oils enter the blood stream and, in relevant molecular, cellular or animal models, exert measurable psychological effects, indicates that the effects are primarily pharmacological.This review includes evidence from the limited number of clinical trials that have been published of 'psychoaromatherapy' in relation to psychiatric disorders, together with evidence from mechanistic, neuropharmacological studies of the effects of essential oils in relevant in vitro and in vivo models. It is concluded that aromatherapy provides a potentially effective treatment for a range of psychiatric disorders. In addition, taking into account the available information on safety, aromatherapy appears to be without the adverse effects of many conventional psychotropic drugs. Investment in further clinical and scientific research is clearly warranted.

Aromatherapy and massage for antenatal anxiety: Its effect on the fetus

Antenatal anxiety has been linked to maternal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis changes which can affect fetal development and may have lasting effects on the child's psychological development. Treatments for anxiety have hitherto focused on psychotherapy techniques or antidepressant drugs but these do not always effect long term improvement. Aromatherapy and massage have successfully been used to produce significantly greater improvement in reduction of anxiety. Midwives may highlight anxiety in some of the mothers in their care and can incorporate the holistic approach of aromatherapy and massage into their practice. However, further research is required to establish the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of aromatherapy and massage in the antenatal period.