AROMATHERAPY

Diego, M., Jones, N.A., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M.,Schanberg, S., Kuhn, C., McAdam, V., Galamaga, R. & Galamaga, M.(1998). Aromatherapy positively affects mood, EEG patterns of alertness and math computations. International Journal of Neuroscience, 96, 217-224.
• EEG activity, alertness, and mood were assessed in 40 adults given aroma therapy using two aromas, lavender (relaxing odor) or rosemary (stimulating odor). Participants were also given simple math computations before and after the therapy. The lavender group showed increased drowsiness, they had less depressed mood and performed the math computations faster and more accurately. The rosemary group showed degreed alertness, were more relaxed, and only faster not accurate at completing the math computations.
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Sanders, C., Diego, M., Fernandez, M., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M. & Roca, A. (2002). EEG asymmetry responses to lavender and rosemary aromas in adults and infants. International Journal of Neuroscience, 112, 1305-1320.
• Frontal EEG asymmetry shifting from baseline was examined in adults and infants exposed to lavender and rosemary. Results showed significant EEG shifting in the lavender group, with greater relative left frontal EEG activation (a positive shift).
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Fernandez, M., Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Sanders, C., Diego, M., & Roca, A. (2004). EEG during lavender and rosemary exposure in infants of depressed and non-depressed mothers. Infant Behavior and Development, 27, 91-100.
• This study investigated whether exposure to lavender or rosemary would change electroencephalographic (EEG) activity and behavior in infants of depressed and non-depressed mothers. Although the groups did not differ at baseline and the two odors did not differentially affect the EEG, the infants of depressed mothers showed increased relative left frontal EEG asymmetry from baseline to the odor exposure phase. Infants of non-depressed mothers showed no change in frontal EEG asymmetry from baseline to the odor exposure phase.
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Field, T., Diego, M., Hernandez-Reif, M., Cisneros, W., Feijo, L., Vera, Y., & Gil, K. (2005). Lavender fragrance cleansing gel effects on relaxation. International Journal of Neuroscience, 115, 207-222.
• Alertness, mood, and math computations were assessed in healthy adults who sniffed a cosmetic cleansing gel with lavender floral blend aroma, developed to be relaxing using Mood Mapping. EEG patterns and heart rate were also recorded before, during, and after the aroma session. The lavender fragrance blend had a significant transient effect of improving mood, making people feel more relaxed, and performing the math computations faster.
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