Essential oils and neck pain

A randomized controlled study involving 60 participants found that application of a cream with a 3% concentration of marjoram, black pepper, lavender, and peppermint resulted in improved pain tolerance and increased mobility relative to the control group. Read more here.


Reference
M.-C. Ou, Y.-F. Lee, C.-C. Li, and S.-K. Wu, “The effectiveness of essential oils for patients with neck 
pain: a randomized controlled study,” J. Altern. Complement. Med. N. Y. N, vol. 20, no. 10, pp. 771– 
779, Oct. 2014.

Aromatherapy and massage during labour can reduce the use of anesthesia

The use of aromatherapy and massage has been found to reduce the use of analgesia and anesthesia for women in labour. Read the abstract here.


Reference
Dhany AL, Mitchell T, Foy C. Aromatherapy and massage intrapartum service impact on use of analgesia and anesthesia in women in labor: A retrospective case note analysis. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2012;18(10):932-938.

Geranium decreases anxiety in patients with acute myocardial infarction

A triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigated the effects of geranium essential oil on anxiety in the healthcare setting. Absorbent patches with three drops of geranium oil were placed inside of patients’ oxygen masks for 20 minutes daily. Geranium oil significantly decreased anxiety in patients who received it.

Read the scientific abstract here.


Reference:
Shirzadegan R, Gholami M, Hasanvand S, et al. Effects of geranium aroma on anxiety among patients with acute myocardial infarction: A triple-blind randomized clinical trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2017;29:201-206.