A Short Note on Aromatherapy and Essential Oils

Nesrine Benbrahim^*
*Correspondence: Nesrine Benbrahim, Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology and Bioactive Molecules, Sciences and Technologies Faculty, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Morocco, Email:

Description

Aromatherapy is an ancient concept used by the Chinese, Egyptians, and Romans in incense, their baths, and embalming the dead. The word aromatherapy was first coined by the French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse in the 1920s. His first discovery of the healing nature of lavender essential oil was through serendipity when he accidentally soaked his burnt hand in pure lavender oil and found that his hand was rapidly healing. His exploration of essential oils and his experiments in their healing nature was initiated then. In addition to their healing nature, these aroma oils can influence mood, behavior, and wellness. Scientifically defined, aromatherapy is a complementary treatment methodology using essential oils containing phytoncides as a tool for therapeutics [1].

Essential oils (EOs) are the secondary metabolites of aromatic plants, representing a complex mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The plants hold these oils throughout their thallus structures, such as reservoirs, glandular hairs, special cells, and intracellular spaces. Plants are also protected from pathogenic encounters and temperature fluctuations with the help of these essential oils. EOs are a concoction of chemical groups such as alcohols, ketones, esters, ethers, aldehydes, oxides, phenols, saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, and terpenes that can be extracted from different regions of plants, such as the bark of plants, flower petals, stems, leaves, roots, and distillation from resins. EOs’ extraction can be carried out by conventional methods such as steam distillation, hydro-distillation, hydro-diffusion, and solvent extraction, and by advanced methods such as supercritical fluid extraction, subcritical extraction, solvent-free microwave-assisted extraction, and also by the physical crushing of the outermost waxy layer where oil glands are situated. Several studies have evaluated the therapeutic effects of EOs as additives and packaging materials in the food industry and as air quality enhancers in indoor environments. Some of the well-known aromatic essences are lavender oil, rosemary oil, jasmine oil, and peppermint oil, which have been found to improve cognitive functions, memory retention, pain relief, and mood enhancement and play a role in enhancing physical and psychological conditions affected by stress. EOs may be administered through massage, inhalation, or direct application over the skin or internally. However, although inhaling aromas in treating ailments or stress is approved as aromatherapy, its effectiveness is still in question [2,3].

Though little evidence supports its efficacy and uncertainty because of the scarcity of studies and insufficient understanding related to aromatherapy, studies have shown that inhaling aroma at night elicits feelings of sensuality and relaxation, happiness, or exhilaration. Phytoncides are volatile organic substances extracted from plants that possess antimicrobial activities and help in enhancing immune functions through NK cell activity and anti-inflammatory properties. ‘Phyton’ refers to plants, and ‘cide’ refers to killing in Greek, thus highlighting the anti-microbial activities. However, the lack of convincing studies is also accountable for our insufficient understanding. Hence, as part of the emerging investigations focused on aromachology and aromatherapy, the present review is designed to assess the effects of aromatherapy on physiological functions [4].

The natural oils taken from plants without separating particular phytoncides are utilized to treat pressure and agony. The smell advanced medicinal balms have some restoring impacts in people. Significant wellbeing issues, like hypertension and cardiovascular sicknesses, are related with pressure and nervousness. Stress upsets mental capability, conduct, temperament, and thinking abilities. Mental, physical, and profound issues impede people's learning abilities, where stress and nervousness apparently cause hypertension and mortality. The mix of four fundamental smell oils, lavender, ylang, marjoram, and neroli, can diminish systolic and diastolic pulse and decrease salivary cortisol in prehypertensive and hypertensive patients.

Persistent mental pressure likewise starts abrupt passing or myocardial areas of dead tissue. Other than wellbeing problems and irreversible illnesses, stress likewise adversely influences human feelings. Overseeing pressure can address those adverse results. Smell oils can be breathed in or kneaded over the skin; the applied oil disintegrates and animates the olfactory framework. L. angustifolia fragrance oil decreases mental pressure and increments excitement. In like manner, Yuzu natural ointment diminishes pessimistic close to home pressure and restrains platelet conglomeration, which could be useful in people with a high gamble of cardiovascular illness.

Natural oils advance de-focusing on impacts like unwinding and rest. Jung and his group revealed that the inward breath of ylang medicinal balm diminishes pulse, decreases vibrations and advances unwinding, and increments sharpness. Fragrance based treatment lessens circulatory strain, tension, and fomentation in dementia patients. Fragrance based treatment with natural oils like linalool, santalol, cedrol, piperonal, genuine lavender, and sweet orange oil further developed rest in the old with dementia. The inward breath of medicinal balms appears to diminish misery and increment the rest nature of post pregnancy moms. The rejuvenating oils of sandalwood, sweet marjoram, and lavender are purportedly utilized in sedation, unwinding, treating uneasiness, and alleviating peevishness, dejection, sleep deprivation, and sorrow [4,5].

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

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