In one of the articles I read, was called 'The Power of Aroma' by Dr. David K. Hill. He explained how essential oils aroma helps with our emotions. Our smell receptors which are located in the upper surface of the nasal cavity has direct links with limbic system within the brain. This area controls our body's emotional responses. He also talked about how these oils influence the olfactory center also known as the visceral control center which controls physiological functions within our body.
As the article goes on Dr. David K. Hill continues to talk about how the hypothalamus forces it's own 'powerful' influence to directly interact with the pituitary gland (master gland) which is a small gland within the brain. The direct link between the olfactory system and the pituitary gland allows aroma to interact directly with the hypothalamus, also allowing neurochemistry throughout the body.
In a study I first read was about the effect of essential oils on the heart rate and blood pressure of spa workers. Within this study the authors had found that using essential oils was effective way to lower HR (heart rate) and BP (blood pressure) within the workers, but only for a certain period of time. More then a hour the BP and HR started to rise after a clear result of them dropping before the hour.
I read about a study that was done to test if aromatherapy helped with with anxiety and depression in woman with a high risk of postpartum disorder. The aim of this study was to determined if aromatherapy was capable to improve high risk anxiety and/or depression postpartum patients. The findings in this study determined that aromatherapy was a positive finding with minimal risk of use to improve in both anxiety and depression within these postpartum woman.
In a different study they tested if aroma of orange would reduce anxiety and improve mood in females within a dental clinic. The aroma was diffused in the waiting room and was found that the orange aroma helped relax the patients before seeing the dentist. The orange aroma lowered each females state of anxiety, put them in a more positive mood and gave them a higher level of calmness.
In this article I found explained what aromatherapy is and how it works, as well as explaining what happens in an aromatherapy session and what it is good for. The article is called 'Aromatherapy.' In the overview the author explains things that you should or shouldnt do when using essential oils; such as digesting it unless it specifically if it states it or a doctor has recommended it. it also states that "essential oils are gaining new attention as an alternative treatment for infections, stress and other health problems."
In reading all of these I have learnt different things about essential oils and aromatherapy. In most cases it is encouraged to use essential oils if you have health problems, are stressed etc. Each article/study have something that relates them; they all got great results saying that essential oils do work to make us feel better and improve our health to a certain degree.
I enjoyed looking at the further information on essential oils then what I just new; this made my knowledge more broad about the subject.
Reference List:
Dr. David k. Hill 2015, The Power of Aroma, http://www.essentialoilscptg.co.uk/essential-oils-are-their-aroma/
European Journal of Preventive Cardiology 2012, The Effect of Essential Oils On Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Among Solus Por Aqua Workers, http://cpr.sagepub.com/content/21/7/823.full.pdf+html
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 2012, The effects of clinical aromatherapy for anxiety and depression in the high risk postpartum woman – A pilot study, Volume 18, Issue 3, Pages 164–168, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1744388112000400#
Physiology & Behavior 2000, Ambient odor of orange in a dental office reduces anxiety and improves mood in female patients, Volume 71, Issues 1–2, Pages 83–86, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031938400003085
2011, Aromatherapy, http://henryfordmacomb.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=111&pid=33&gid=000347
26/08/15
26/08/15
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