Study on effects of essential oil on autonomic and central nervous system

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K11562
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: International University of Health and Welfare
• Principal Investigator: Satou Tadaaki 国際医療福祉大学, 薬学部, 准教授 (80287549)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: アロマセラピー / 植物精油 / 自律神経 / 動物実験

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Aromatherapy is a folk remedy based on fragrance. Although aromatherapy is practiced by many people because of its ease of use and realization, there is a lack of scientific evidence for its effectiveness. Although many studies have been conducted on aromatherapy, it is believed that the interpretation of the unique effects of aromatherapy makes its effects ambiguous. Therefore, it is rarely implemented in medical institutions where evidence-based medicine is advocated.
In the present study, with the aim of scientifically elucidating the effects of aromatherapy, we examined the effects of aromatherapy using animal experiments in which the placebo effect can be eliminated. As a result, we believe that we were able to elucidate one aspect of the autonomic regulatory effects of geranium essential oil.

Free Research Field

複合領域

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

アロマセラピーは心理作用による強力なプラセボ効果と弱い薬理作用から構成されていると考えられる。今回の研究により、アロマセラピーの弱い薬理作用の一端が科学的に解明されたと考えられる。
今後、医療機関では、今回のようなアロマセラピーの弱い薬理作用を指標にすることで、強力なプラセボ効果を上手に活用し易くなると考えられる。それにより、アロマセラピーは患者の様々な不調に対して活用されるようになり、これまで行われている治療についても効果を上昇することができるようになると考えられる。