Scientists have not been able to detect the healing effects of aromatherapy

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Aromatherapy does not affect immunity, pain sensitivity and speed of wound healing. This was the conclusion reached by scientists from the University of Ohio, who studied the effect of lemon and lavender oil aromas on 56 healthy volunteers. At the same time, inhaling lemon oil can improve mood, the researchers found.

For three days, 56 men and women had a cotton ball soaked in lemon, lavender oil, or distilled water placed under their noses. All participants had their blood pressure and pulse measured regularly, and blood samples were taken for analysis. Special psychological tests were conducted to assess their mood.

The speed of wound healing was assessed using a plaster strip test, after removal of which small epithelial defects remained. To determine pain sensitivity, volunteers immersed their feet in ice water. To evaluate the impact of aromatherapy on immunity, the head of the study, Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, and her colleagues determined the level of interleukins 6 and 10 in the blood of the participants, and the effect on the endocrine system was evaluated by fluctuations in the concentration of stress hormones – cortisol and norepinephrine.

It turned out that aromatherapy had no effect on the level of stress hormones and immune factors, did not have an analgesic effect and did not accelerate the healing of wounds.

The only positive effect that was recorded was an improvement in the mood of the participants. under the influence of lemon (but not lavender) oil.

“The human body is a very complex mechanism, and if someone feels better when using aromatherapy, we are not going to convince him. However, so far we have not been able to detect any physiological effects of the use of aromatic oils,” said Professor William Malarkey.