Aromatherapy: between perception and science. Insights from study on inhalation aromatherapy conducted by Kvapu namai (and why we write and talk about essential oils and aromatherapy products in a very vague manner)
by R. Daunoravičiene
First, a brief explanation of why we write and talk about essential oils and aromatherapy products in a very vague manner, without clearly naming their properties or effects. And why we will also be cautious when discussing the results of the study.
Although aromatherapy is widely used around the world and its effects on human well-being have been studied in numerous international studies, EU advertising law restricts what we can say about it.
According to EU and Lithuanian requirements, no freely sold aromatherapy product can be presented as having a medical, therapeutic, or physiological effect unless it is registered as a medicine. This is considered misleading advertising, even if there is evidence of the product's effectiveness.
Therefore, we describe the results of the study here in a rather vague manner; even if we measure cortisol, heart rate, or other physiological indicators, we cannot say that a specific product "reduces cortisol," "calms," or "increases/decreases blood pressure."
As a manufacturer and seller, we can only talk about what we have measured, what trends we have observed, and how this corresponds with international scientific literature. Only scientific researchers, aromatherapy specialists, or other health and medical professionals (if they are not also sellers) can freely talk about therapeutic or physiological effects.
Aromatherapy is not a novelty or a fad. It is a natural, simple remedy practiced by millions of people every day to calm down, relax, concentrate, or create a more pleasant environment. Most people experience the effects of aromatherapy very quickly and very clearly: the body relaxes, breathing slows down, and the emotional state stabilizes.
However, aromatherapy is not limited to subjective sensations. For many years, scientific literature has featured studies analyzing how essential oils and scents affect the autonomic nervous system, mood, well-being, attention functions, and stress response. However, as in many areas of natural medicine, there is still a lack of high-quality, carefully planned studies.
Why did we decide to conduct the study?
The philosophy behind the creation of fragrance house products has always been based on three principles:
- Selection of high-quality, pure, authentic essential oils based on available scientific data.
- well-thought-out synergy between different substances, also in terms of hedonistic scent,
- A responsible approach to safety and impact — both perceived and measurable.
Therefore, we wanted to verify whether the effects that we and our clients subjectively experience can be recorded objectively and physiologically.
How was the study conducted?
Twenty-eight volunteers participated in the study. Each of them underwent three non-invasive measurement sessions in sequence:
- Initial state (control)
- After exposure to water vapor
- After exposure to aromatherapy vapors (a blend of essential oils from lavender, bergamot, patchouli, and calendula seeds)
What was measured:
- cortisol levels in saliva (one of the most accurate indicators of stress),
- blood pressure,
- heart rate,
- emotional state indicators (using a special questionnaire).
What did we notice?
When analyzing cortisol measurements, we see a clear trend:
- after water vapor, cortisol levels decreased slightly,
- After aromatherapy, the reduction in steam was more pronounced and consistent.
This is consistent with observations reported in international literature that the scents of certain essential oils may be associated with a calmer physiological state and a milder response to stress.
What do these results mean for us?
This pilot study is important to us in several ways:
- It complements foreign research data that the effects of aromatherapy can be both subjective and objectively measurable.
- confirms that our blends, created from high-quality, genuine, and pure essential oils, not only smell pleasant but are also effective remedies for improving well-being.
We are currently preparing a more detailed analysis and expect to present the comprehensive results at the upcoming aromatherapy conference.
Therefore, the wise and thoughtful use of essential oils is not only a pleasant aromatic or esoteric ritual, but also a data-driven way to improve well-being.
