"Thirteen additional articles were identified by searching reference lists. After removing duplicates the total number of articles included in the present review is 70. The beneficial health effects of CZ identified were; a) anti-microbial and anti-parasitic activity, b) lowering of blood glucose, blood pressure and serum cholesterol, c) anti-oxidant and free-radical scavenging properties, d) inhibition of tau aggregation and filament formation (hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease), e) inhibitory effects on osteoclastogenesis, f) anti-secretagogue and anti-gastric ulcer effects, g) anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity, h) wound healing properties and i) hepato-protective effects."

Medicinal properties of ‘true’ cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum): a systematic review

Priyanga Ranasinghe^1*, Shehani Pigera¹, GA Sirimal Premakumara², Priyadarshani Galappaththy¹, Godwin R Constantine³ and Prasad Katulanda³

• *Corresponding author: Priyanga Ranasinghe priyanga.ranasinghe@gmail.com

Author Affiliations

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2013, 13:275  doi:10.1186/1472-6882-13-275

Published: 22 October 2013

Abstract

Background

In traditional medicine Cinnamon is considered a remedy for respiratory, digestive and gynaecological ailments. In-vitro and in-vivostudies from different parts of the world have demonstrated numerous beneficial medicinal effects of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (CZ). This paper aims to systematically review the scientific literature and provide a comprehensive summary on the potential medicinal benefits of CZ.

Methods

A comprehensive systematic review was conducted in the following databases; PubMed, Web of Science, SciVerse Scopus for studies published before 31st December 2012. The following keywords were used: “Cinnamomum zeylanicum”, “Ceylon cinnamon”, “True cinnamon” and “Sri Lankan cinnamon”. To obtain additional data a manual search was performed using the reference lists of included articles.

Results

The literature search identified the following number of articles in the respective databases; PubMed=54, Web of Science=76 and SciVerse Scopus=591. Thirteen additional articles were identified by searching reference lists. After removing duplicates the total number of articles included in the present review is 70. The beneficial health effects of CZ identified were; a) anti-microbial and anti-parasitic activity, b) lowering of blood glucose, blood pressure and serum cholesterol, c) anti-oxidant and free-radical scavenging properties, d) inhibition of tau aggregation and filament formation (hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease), e) inhibitory effects on osteoclastogenesis, f) anti-secretagogue and anti-gastric ulcer effects, g) anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity, h) wound healing properties and i) hepato-protective effects. The studies reported minimal toxic and adverse effects.

Conclusions

The available in-vitro and in-vivo evidence suggests that CZ has many beneficial health effects. However, since data on humans are sparse, randomized controlled trials in humans will be necessary to determine whether these effects have public health implications.

Full Article Here

Keywords: 

Cinnamomum zeylanicum; True cinnamon; Ceylon cinnamon; Medicinal properties; Health benefits 

Smallpox and Mumps and Melilssa

However, the conditions that might respond favourably to herbal antivirals include hepatitis, herpes simplex and zoster, influenza, common cold and HIV (Tables 2 and 3). These findings are encouraging and should stimulate further research. 

Melissa officinalis L
The active antiviral constituents of Melissa officinalis L appear to be the polyphenols and tannins [22], and activity against smallpox, mumps, Newcastle disease and herpes viruses has been demonstrated in vitro. 

Antivir Ther. 2003 Apr;8(2):77-90.

Antiviral agents from plants and herbs: a systematic review.

Martin KW1, Ernst E.

Author information 

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: 

Many antiviral compounds presently in clinical use have a narrow spectrum of activity, limited therapeutic usefulness and variable toxicity. There is also an emerging problem of resistant viral strains. This study was undertaken to examine the published literature on herbs and plants with antiviral activity, their laboratory evaluation in vitro and in vivo, and evidence of human clinical efficacy.

METHODS: 

Independent literature searches were performed on MEDLINE, EMBASE, CISCOM, AMED and Cochrane Library for information on plants and herbs with antiviral activity. There was no restriction on the language of publication. Data from clinical trials of single herb preparations used to treat uncomplicated viral infections were extracted in a standardized, predefined manner.

RESULTS: 

Many hundreds of herbal preparations with antiviral activity were identified and the results of one search presented as an example. Yet extracts from only 11 species met the inclusion criteria of this review and have been tested in clinical trials. They have been used in a total of 33 randomized, and a further eight nonrandomized, clinical trials. Fourteen of these trials described the use of Phyllanthus spp. for treatment of hepatitis B, seven reporting positive and seven reporting negative results. The other 10 herbal medicines had each been tested in between one and nine clinical trials. Only four of these 26 trials reported no benefit from the herbal product.

CONCLUSIONS: 

Though most of the clinical trials located reported some benefits from use of antiviral herbal medicines, negative trials may not be published at all. There remains a need for larger, stringently designed, randomized clinical trials to provide conclusive evidence of their efficacy.

PMID:

 

12741619

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 

Full Text to Article


Want to see more scientific studies on essential oils? Subscribe at www.essentialoilskeptic.com

Multi Drug Resistant Bacteria and Several Different Oils

"The results indicate that essential oils from Pakistani spices can be pursued against multidrug resistant bacteria."

Antimicrobial activity of the bioactive components of essential oils from Pakistani spices against Salmonella and other multi-drug resistant bacteria

Rasheeha Naveed¹, Iftikhar Hussain¹, Abdul Tawab², Muhammad Tariq², Moazur Rahman², Sohail Hameed², M Shahid Mahmood¹, Abu Baker Siddique³ and Mazhar Iqbal^2*

• *Corresponding author: Mazhar Iqbal hamzamgondal@gmail.com

Author Affiliations

For all author emails, please log on.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2013, 13:265  doi:10.1186/1472-6882-13-265

Published: 14 October 2013

Abstract

Background

The main objective of this study was the phytochemical characterization of four indigenous essential oils obtained from spices and their antibacterial activities against the multidrug resistant clinical and soil isolates prevalent in Pakistan, and ATCC reference strains.

Methods

Chemical composition of essential oils from four Pakistani spices cumin (Cuminum cyminum), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), cardamom (Amomum subulatum) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) were analyzed on GC/MS. Their antibacterial activities were investigated by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Thin-Layer Chromatography-Bioautographic (TLC-Bioautographic) assays against pathogenic strains Salmonella typhi (D1 Vi-positive), Salmonella typhi (G7 Vi-negative), Salmonella paratyphi A, Escherichia coli (SS1), Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus licheniformis (ATCC 14580). The data were statistically analyzed by using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Least Significant Difference (LSD) method to find out significant relationship of essential oils biological activities at p <0.05.

Results

Among all the tested essential oils, oil from the bark of C. verum showed best antibacterial activities against all selected bacterial strains in the MIC assay, especially with 2.9 mg/ml concentration against S. typhi G7 Vi-negative and P. fluorescens strains. TLC-bioautography confirmed the presence of biologically active anti-microbial components in all tested essential oils. P. fluorescens was found susceptible to C. verum essential oil while E. coli SS1 and S. aureus were resistant to C. verum and A. subulatum essential oils, respectively, as determined in bioautography assay. The GC/MS analysis revealed that essential oils of C. cyminum, C. verum, A. subulatum, and S. aromaticum contain 17.2% cuminaldehyde, 4.3% t-cinnamaldehyde, 5.2% eucalyptol and 0.73% eugenol, respectively.

Conclusions

Most of the essential oils included in this study possessed good antibacterial activities against selected multi drug resistant clinical and soil bacterial strains. Cinnamaldehyde was identified as the most active antimicrobial component present in the cinnamon essential oil which acted as a strong inhibitory agent in MIC assay against the tested bacteria. The results indicate that essential oils from Pakistani spices can be pursued against multidrug resistant bacteria.

Full Text Here

Want to see more scientific studies on essential oils?

www.essentialoilskeptic.com

close

Migraines and Lavender

"The present study suggests that inhalation of lavender essential oil may be an effective and safe treatment modality in acute management of migraine headaches."

Lavender essential oil in the treatment of migraine headache: a placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Sasannejad P1, Saeedi M, Shoeibi A, Gorji A, Abbasi M, Foroughipour M.

Author information 

Abstract

Lavender essential oil has been used as an anxiolytic drug, a mood stabilizer, a sedative, spasmolytic, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, analgesic agent as well as a wound healing accelerator. We have studied for the first time the efficacy of lavender essential oil inhalation for the treatment of migraine in a placebo-controlled clinical trial.

METHODS: 

Forty-seven patients with definite diagnosis of migraine headache were divided into cases and controls. Cases inhaled lavender essential oil for 15 min, whereas the control group used liquid paraffin for the same time period. Patients were asked to record their headache severity and associated symptoms in 30-min intervals for a total of 2 h. We matched the two groups for key confounding factors.

RESULTS: 

The mean reduction of headache severity in cases was 3.6 ± 2.8 based on Visual Analogue Scale score. The reduction was 1.6 ± 1.6 in controls. This difference between the controls and cases was statistically significant with p < 0.0001. From 129 headache attacks in cases, 92 responded entirely or partially to lavender. In the control group, 32 out of 68 recorded headache attacks responded to placebo. The percentage of responders was significantly higher in the lavender group than the placebo group (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION: 

The present study suggests that inhalation of lavender essential oil may be an effective and safe treatment modality in acute management of migraine headaches.

Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

PMID:

 

22517298

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Link to full article here.
Want to see more scientific studies on essential oils?

www.essentialoilskeptic.com

Neurological Disorders and Lavender

Lavender and the nervous system.

Koulivand PH1, Khaleghi Ghadiri M, Gorji A.

Author information 

Abstract

Lavender is traditionally alleged to have a variety of therapeutic and curative properties, ranging from inducing relaxation to treating parasitic infections, burns, insect bites, and spasm. There is growing evidence suggesting that lavender oil may be an effective medicament in treatment of several neurological disorders. Several animal and human investigations suggest anxiolytic, mood stabilizer, sedative, analgesic, and anticonvulsive and neuroprotective properties for lavender. These studies raised the possibility of revival of lavender therapeutic efficacy in neurological disorders. In this paper, a survey on current experimental and clinical state of knowledge about the effect of lavender on the nervous system is given.

PMID:

 

23573142

 

[PubMed] 

PMCID:

 

PMC3612440

 

Link to full article here.

Want to see more scientific studies on essential oils?

www.essentialoilskeptic.com

Diabetes and Eucalyptus Globulus

Attenuation of oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by Eucalyptus globulus.

Nakhaee A¹, Bokaeian M, Saravani M, Farhangi A, Akbarzadeh A.

Author information

Abstract

In traditional medicine, Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) was used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycemia in diabetes has been associated with increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage to tissue compounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of eucalyptus in the diet (20 g/Kg) and drinking water (2.5 g/L) on lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and antioxidant power in plasma and liver homogenate, as well as glycated-Hb (HbA(1C)) of blood in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for a period of 4 weeks. Diabetes induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/Kg). At the end of the treatment period, the level of plasma glucose, plasma and liver malondialdehyde (MDA, the main product of lipid peroxidation), protein carbonyl (PC, one of the protein oxidation products) and HbA(1C) increased and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) decreased in diabetic rats compared to normal rats. Eucalyptus administration for 4 weeks caused a significant decrease in the plasma glucose levels, plasma and liver MDA, PC and HbA(1C), also a concomitant increase in the levels of FRAP in diabetic treated rats. In conclusion, the present study showed that eucalyptus posses antioxidant activities. Eucalyptus probably restores antioxidant power, due to the improved hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

KEYWORDS:

Diabetes mellitus; Eucalyptus globulus; Ferric reducing antioxidant power; Glycated-Hb; Malondialdehyde; Protein Carbonyl

PMID:

23105871

[PubMed]

PMCID:

PMC3453050

Link to full article here.

Want to see more scientific studies on essential oils?

www.essentialoilskeptic.com

Appetite and Body Weight-Lavender

 'Thus, scent of lavender oil and its active component, linalool, affect autonomic nerves, suppress lipolysis through a histaminergic response, and enhance appetite and body weight.'

Olfactory stimulation with scent of lavender oil affects autonomic nerves, lipolysis and appetite in rats.

Shen J¹, Niijima A, Tanida M, Horii Y, Maeda K, Nagai K.

Author information

Abstract

In a previous study, we presented evidence that scent of grapefruit oil excites sympathetic nerves innervating white and brown adipose tissues and the adrenal gland, inhibits the vagal nerve innervating the stomach, increases lipolysis and heat production (energy consumption), and reduces appetite and body weight. Here, we examined the effects of olfactory stimulation with scent of lavender oil (SLVO) in rats and observed that in contrast to grapefruit oil, it inhibits the sympathetic nerves innervating the white and brown adipose tissues and adrenal gland and excites the parasympathetic gastric nerve. Local anesthesia of the nasal mucosa with xylocaine or anosmic treatment using ZnSO(4) eliminated the autonomic changes caused by SLVO. Moreover, stimulation with SLVO lowered the plasma glycerol level, and treatment with either ZnSO(4) or an intracranial injection of thioperamide, a histamine H3 receptor-antagonist, abolished SLVO-mediated glycerol decline. Furthermore, a 15-min daily exposure to SLVO increased food intake and body weight. Finally, linalool, a component of lavender oil, induced responses similar to those caused by SLVO, and the glycerol response to linalool was eliminated by thioperamide.

Neurosci Lett. 2005 Jul 22-29;383(1-2):188-93.

Olfactory stimulation with scent of lavender oil affects autonomic nerves, lipolysis and appetite in rats.

Shen J¹, Niijima A, Tanida M, Horii Y, Maeda K, Nagai K.

Author information

Abstract

In a previous study, we presented evidence that scent of grapefruit oil excites sympathetic nerves innervating white and brown adipose tissues and the adrenal gland, inhibits the vagal nerve innervating the stomach, increases lipolysis and heat production (energy consumption), and reduces appetite and body weight. Here, we examined the effects of olfactory stimulation with scent of lavender oil (SLVO) in rats and observed that in contrast to grapefruit oil, it inhibits the sympathetic nerves innervating the white and brown adipose tissues and adrenal gland and excites the parasympathetic gastric nerve. Local anesthesia of the nasal mucosa with xylocaine or anosmic treatment using ZnSO(4) eliminated the autonomic changes caused by SLVO. Moreover, stimulation with SLVO lowered the plasma glycerol level, and treatment with either ZnSO(4) or an intracranial injection of thioperamide, a histamine H3 receptor-antagonist, abolished SLVO-mediated glycerol decline. Furthermore, a 15-min daily exposure to SLVO increased food intake and body weight. Finally, linalool, a component of lavender oil, induced responses similar to those caused by SLVO, and the glycerol response to linalool was eliminated by thioperamide. Thus, scent of lavender oil and its active component, linalool, affect autonomic nerves, suppress lipolysis through a histaminergic response, and enhance appetite and body weight.

PMID:

15878236

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Link to full article here.
Want to see more scientific studies on essential oils?

www.essentialoilskeptic.com

Anglagesic and Anti-inflamatory-Eucalyptus

  2003 Dec;89(2-3):277-83.

"Further investigation is warranted for possible development of new classes of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs from components of the essential oils of the Eucalyptus species. "

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils of Eucalyptus.

Silva J¹, Abebe W, Sousa SM, Duarte VG, Machado MI, Matos FJ.

Author information

Abstract

Many species of the genus Eucalyptus from the Myrtaceae family are used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of various medical conditions such as cold, flue, fever, and bronchial infections. In the current investigation, we evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oil extracts from three species of Eucalyptus employing various standard experimental test models. Using acetic acid-induced writhes in mice and hot plate thermal stimulation in rats, it was shown that the essential oils of Eucalyptus citriodora (EC), Eucalyptus tereticornis (ET), and Eucalyptus globulus (EG) induced analgesic effects in both models, suggesting peripheral and central actions. In addition, essential oil extracts from the three Eucalyptus species produced anti-inflammatory effects, as demonstrated by inhibition of rat paw edema induced by carrageenan and dextran, neutrophil migration into rat peritoneal cavities induced by carrageenan, and vascular permeability induced by carrageenan and histamine. However, no consistent results were observed for some of the parameters evaluated, both in terms of activities and dose-response relationships, reflecting the complex nature of the oil extracts and/or the assay systems used. Taken together, the data suggest that essential oil extracts of EC, ET, and EG possess central and peripheral analgesic effects as well as neutrophil-dependent and independent anti-inflammatory activities. These initial observations provide support for the reported use of the eucalyptus plant in Brazilian folk medicine. Further investigation is warranted for possible development of new classes of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs from components of the essential oils of the Eucalyptus species.

PMID:

14611892

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Link to full article here.

Want to see more scientific studies on essential oils?

www.essentialoilskeptic.com

Headache and Peppermint and Eucalyptus

 "The essential plant oil preparations often used in empiric medicine can thus be shown by laboratory tests to exert significant effects on mechanisms associated with the pathophysiology of headache."

Cephalalgia. 1994 Jun;14(3):228-34; discussion 182.

Effect of peppermint and eucalyptus oil preparations on neurophysiological and experimental algesimetric headache parameters.

Göbel H¹, Schmidt G, Soyka D.

Author information

Abstract

The effects of peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil preparations on neurophysiological, psychological and experimental algesimetric parameters were investigated in 32 healthy subjects in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over design. Four different test preparations were applied to large areas of the forehead and temples using a small sponge and their effect was evaluated by comparing baseline and treatment measure. The combination of peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil and ethanol increased cognitive performance and had a muscle-relaxing and mentally relaxing effect, but had little influence on pain sensitivity. A significant analgesic effect with a reduction in sensitivity to headache was produced by a combination of peppermint oil and ethanol. The essential plant oil preparations often used in empiric medicine can thus be shown by laboratory tests to exert significant effects on mechanisms associated with the pathophysiology of headache.

Link to full article here.
Want to see more scientific studies on essential oils?

www.essentialoilskeptic.com

Knee Replacement and Eucalyptus

"In conclusion, inhalation of eucalyptus oil was effective in decreasing patient's pain and blood pressure following TKR, suggesting that eucalyptus oil inhalation may be a nursing intervention for the relief of pain after TKR."

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013; 2013: 502727.

Published online Jun 18, 2013. doi:  10.1155/2013/502727

PMCID: PMC3703330

Effect of Eucalyptus Oil Inhalation on Pain and Inflammatory Responses after Total Knee Replacement: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Yang Suk Jun, ¹ Purum Kang, ¹ Sun Seek Min, ² Jeong-Min Lee, ³ Hyo-Keun Kim, ³ and Geun Hee Seol ^{1 ,*}

Author information ► Article notes ► Copyright and License information ►

This article has been cited by other articles in PMC.

Go to:

Abstract

Eucalyptus oil has been reported effective in reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of eucalyptus oil inhalation on pain and inflammatory responses after total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. Participants were randomized 1:1 to intervention group (eucalyptus inhalation group) or control group (almond oil inhalation group). Patients inhaled eucalyptus or almond oil for 30 min of continuous passive motion (CPM) on 3 consecutive days. Pain on a visual analog scale (VAS), blood pressure, heart rate, C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, and white blood cell (WBC) count were measured before and after inhalation. Pain VAS on all three days (P < .001) and systolic (P < .05) and diastolic (P = .03) blood pressure on the second day were significantly lower in the group inhaling eucalyptus than that inhaling almond oil. Heart rate, CRP, and WBC, however, did not differ significantly in the two groups. In conclusion, inhalation of eucalyptus oil was effective in decreasing patient's pain and blood pressure following TKR, suggesting that eucalyptus oil inhalation may be a nursing intervention for the relief of pain after TKR.

Link to full article here.


Want to see more scientific studies on essential oils?

www.essentialoilskeptic.com

Breast Cancer and Boswellic Acid

Biomedicine & Preventive Nutrition

Volume 2, Issue 1, January–March 2012, Pages 31–37

"Here, we report boswellic acid as a potent anticancer agent that acts against multiple intracellular targets that affect angiogenesis (VEGF), inflammation (TNF-α, IL-12), apoptosis (caspase-3 & -9) and antioxidant (SOD & CAT) based anticarcinogenic mechanisms."

Antiangiogenic and cytotoxic activity of boswellic acid on breast cancer MCF-7 cells

• Sarita Saraswati^, , 
• S.S. Agrawal

• Genome Research Laboratory, Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Pushp Vihar, MB Road, New Delhi 110017, India

Received 20 August 2011, Accepted 12 September 2011, Available online 9 November 2011

Abstract

Boswellic acid possesses anticancer activity, however, its underlying mechanism(s) remain unexplored. Here, we report boswellic acid as a potent anticancer agent that acts against multiple intracellular targets that affect angiogenesis (VEGF), inflammation (TNF-α, IL-12), apoptosis (caspase-3 & -9) and antioxidant (SOD & CAT) based anticarcinogenic mechanisms. It inhibits MCF-7 cell proliferation and potentiates the cell death induced by VEGF antibody. A dose-dependent decrease in the levels of VEGF and TNF-α and significant increase in caspases-3 and -9 activities in MCF-7 cells were observed. To conclude, the results of the present study suggest that boswellic acts via multiple albeit specific molecular targets to elicit anticarcinogenic activity.

Keywords

• Boswellic acid MCF-7; 
• Vascular endothelial growth factor; 
• Apoptosis; 
• Angiogenesis

Corresponding author.

Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Link to full article here.

Want to see more scientific studies on essential oils?

www.essentialoilskeptic.com

Candida and Thyme and Tea Tree

.

The effect of thyme and tea tree oils on morphology and metabolism of Candida albicans.

"Changes that we observed for C. albicans in the pres- ence of essential oils, especially in yeast enzymatic activ- ity and carbon sources assimilation, may be associated with yeast response to environmental stress conditions, and may contribute to the reduction of C. albicans patho- genicity. "

Rajkowska K1, Kunicka-Styczyńska A1, Maroszyńska M2, Dąbrowska M3.

Author information 

Abstract

Members of Candida species cause significant problems in medicine and in many industrial branches also. In order to prevent from Candida sp. development, essential oils are more and more frequently applied as natural, non-toxic, non-pollutive and biodegradable agents with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. The aim of the research was to determine changes in morphology and metabolic properties of Candida albicans in the presence of thyme and tea tree oils. Changes of enzymatic activity of isolates were observed in the presence of both tested essential oils, and they were primarily associated with loss or decrease of activity of all enzymes detected for control. Furthermore, only for 3 out of 11 isolates additional activity of N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, α-mannosidase, α-fucosidase and trypsin was detected. Vivid changes in biochemical profiles were found after treatment with tea tree oil and they were related to loss of ability to assimilate D-xylose, D-sorbitol and D-trehalose. The main differences in morphology of isolates compared to the control strain concerned formation of pseudohyphae structures. Both examined essential oils caused changes in cell and colony morphology, as well as in the metabolism of Candida albicans. However, the extent of differences depends on the type and concentration of an essential oil. The most important finding is the broad spectrum of changes in yeast enzymatic profiles induced by thyme and tea tree oils. It can be supposed that these changes, together with loss of ability to assimilate saccharides could significantly impact Candida albicans pathogenicity.

PMID:

 

24918492

 

[PubMed - in process]

Link to full article here.

Want to see more scientific studies on essential oils?

www.essentialoilskeptic.com

Anxiety and Lavender

Dental patient anxiety: Possible deal with Lavender fragrance.

Zabirunnisa M1, Gadagi JS2, Gadde P1, Myla N3, Koneru J4, Thatimatla C5.

Author information 

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: 

The pure essence of plants (essential oils) provides both psychological and physiological benefits when used accurately and safely. Conventionally, Lavender oil is known for relaxing, carminative, and sedative effects. Hence, an attempt was made to know the effect of Lavender essential oil on dental patient anxiety.

METHODS: 

The present study included two comparison groups (Lavender and control group), each comprising five dental clinics. In Lavender group, the ambient odor of Lavender essential oil was maintained with the help of a candle warmer in the reception area and in the control group, candle warmer with normal water was used. A total of 597 patients, aged above 18 years were included. A questionnaire comprising demographic information, and a modified dental anxiety scale was given to the patients in waiting room, and data regarding anxiety levels was recorded.

FINDINGS: 

Student's t-test (unpaired) showed a significant reduction in anxiety scores of Lavender group compared with the control group. Analysis of variances test showed reduction in anxiety scores as age increased in Lavender group.

CONCLUSION: 

Fragrance of Lavender oil at reception area may effectively reduce the patient's state or current anxiety. This practice on routine usage can improve the quality of dental treatments.

KEYWORDS: 

Aromatherapy; Lavender oil; dental anxiety; dental treatments

PMID:

 

25328900

 

[PubMed] 

PMCID:

 

PMC4199191

 

Link to full text here.

Want to see more scientific studies on essential oils?

www.essentialoilskeptic.com