Health & Well-Being A-Z

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy oils and plant
Description

Aromatherapy involves inhaling essential oils or applying them to the skin to improve physical, emotional, or spiritual well-being. Essential oils are plant oils.

The term "essential" is used because the oil contains the plant's "essence," or the smell that is characteristic of the plant. Smelling essential oils is thought to affect the brain. Depending on the oil used, these effects may include feelings of relaxation, pain relief, and others.

People commonly use aromatherapy for insomnia, anxiety, labor pain, stress, depression, menopausal symptoms, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.

To learn about specific essential oils used in aromatherapy, including bergamot oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, and many others, review those specific topics.


Is It Effective?

Effectiveness header

NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

Possibly effective
  • Anxiety. Lavender oil aromatherapy and aromatherapy massage seem to reduce long-term and short-term anxiety. Other essential oils might also help, but it's not clear which might be best.
  • Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea). Aromatherapy seems to help reduce painful menstrual cramps. But it is unclear which essential oils or oil blends work best. It's also unclear whether a massage with aromatherapy or simply inhaling aromatherapy is best.
  • Fatigue. Aromatherapy seems to help reduce fatigue in people with long-term health conditions. But it is unclear which essential oils or oil blends work best.
  • Insomnia. Aromatherapy seems to improve the quality of sleep in people who are healthy and in those with other health conditions, including cancer.
  • Labor pain. Adding lavender oil aromatherapy to standard treatment during labor seems to help reduce labor pain. It's not clear if other essential oils help.
  • Pain after surgery. Adding lavender oil aromatherapy to standard treatment seems to help reduce pain after surgery. It's not clear if other essential oils help.
  • Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Aromatherapy improves mental and emotional PMS symptoms. But it's not clear which essential oils are most helpful.
  • Anxiety before a procedure. Aromatherapy might help reduce anxiety before surgery, especially before minor surgeries. But it's not clear which essential oil might work best.
  • Stress. Aromatherapy with lavender and other essential oils might help reduce feelings of stress.
Possibly ineffective
  • Pain in people with cancer. Aromatherapy with lavender oil does not seem to reduce pain in people with cancer.
  • Childbirth. Using inhaled aromatherapy during labor does not seem to affect labor duration, contractions, or the need for a C-section.

There is interest in using aromatherapy for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Is it Safe?

Safety

When taken by mouth: Essential oils are possibly unsafe. Taking essential oils by mouth isn't standard practice for aromatherapy, but sometimes oils are marketed this way. Swallowing too much of any oil can be unsafe and might cause severe side effects including seizures and life-threatening kidney problems.

When applied to the skin: Safety concerns vary depending on the type and amount of essential oil used. See individual oils to learn about their safety when applied to the skin. It is possibly unsafe to apply excessive amounts of essential oil to the skin or to apply essential oils to broken skin.

When inhaled: Safety concerns vary depending on the type and amount of aromatherapy oil used. See individual oils to learn about their safety when inhaled.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Safety concerns vary depending on the type and amount of essential oil used. See individual oils to learn about their safety when applied to the skin or inhaled. The International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists warns that the following essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy: oregano, thyme, savory, clove, cinnamon, cumin, aniseed, fennel, anise star, sweet birch, and wintergreen. It is also possibly unsafe to use essential oils by mouth. When taken by mouth, some essential oils can cause severe side effects including seizures and life-threatening kidney problems.

Drug interactions

Aromatherapy uses many different essential oils. See specific topics for interaction information.

Herb interactions

Aromatherapy uses many different essential oils. See specific topics for interaction information.

Food interactions

Aromatherapy uses many different essential oils. See specific topics for interaction information.

Dosage

Aromatherapy uses diluted essential oils, which are usually inhaled or applied to the skin. Essential oils can also be vaporized in the air with diffusers, by heating the oil, or by adding the oil to a hot bath. Aromatherapy uses many different essential oils. See specific topics for more information on how they are commonly used.

Other names

Aroma, Aroma Therapy, Aroma Treatment, Aromaterapia, Aromathérapie, Aromatic Oils, Aromatic Therapy, Essential Oils, Huiles Aromatiques, Huiles Essentielles, Scent Therapy, Traitement par les Essences de Plantes.

Disclaimer

Information on this website is for informational use only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While evidence-based, it is not guaranteed to be error-free and is not intended to meet any particular user’s needs or requirements or to cover all possible uses, safety concerns, interactions, outcomes, or adverse effects. Always check with your doctor or other medical professional before making healthcare decisions (including taking any medication) and do not delay or disregard seeking medical advice or treatment based on any information displayed on this website.

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