Biosynthesis and Therapeutic Properties of<i>Lavandula</i>Essential Oil Constituents

Woronuk, Grant; Demissie, Zerihun A.; Rheault, Mark R.; Mahmoud, Soheil S.

doi:10.1055/s-0030-1250136

Cited by 170 publications

(126 citation statements)

References 81 publications

(80 reference statements)

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“…The amounts used in research and practice vary and might produce different effects. 2 Although this study demonstrated an effect of lavender on cognitive function, lack of other lavender-specific effects may have been due to low lavender concentration. Additionally, because the study sought to elucidate hedonics effects, participants were not blinded; many perceived and recognized the assigned aroma.…”

Section: Chamine and Okenmentioning

confidence: 60%

“…1 Despite its popularity for stress reduction, 2 and despite growing evidence of beneficial aromatherapy effects on cognitive function and stress biomarkers, [3][4][5] specific mechanisms producing the stress-reducing effects of lavender and general mechanisms of aromatherapy actions remain unclear. 6,7 Four mechanisms underlying odor effects on functioning have been previously suggested: pharmacologic, hedonic, psychological, and contextual.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For lavender aroma, the major constituents are linalool and linalyl acetate. 2 In animals, linalool produces effects on glutamate receptors similar to those of an anxiolytic and sedative drug phenobarbital; 10 it also produces effects on c-aminobutyric acid A receptor binding similar to those of anxiolytic drugs and benzodiazepines. 11 Linalyl acetate produces narcotic effects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…11 Such effects are consistent with the analgesic, 12 soporific, [13][14][15] and particularly anxiolytic 16,17 properties of lavender linked to relaxation and stress reduction. 2,18 However, human pharmacokinetic data for lavender essential oil metabolites are scarce, and little information is available regarding biological pathways associated with stress-reducing lavender effects. 2 Hedonically driven mechanism produces mood changes stemming from the odor's hedonic qualities (e.g., pleasantness) with secondary effects on other functions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2,18 However, human pharmacokinetic data for lavender essential oil metabolites are scarce, and little information is available regarding biological pathways associated with stress-reducing lavender effects. 2 Hedonically driven mechanism produces mood changes stemming from the odor's hedonic qualities (e.g., pleasantness) with secondary effects on other functions. Psychological mechanism creates odor-related benefits resulting from expectancies about odor qualities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Aroma Effects on Physiologic and Cognitive Function Following Acute Stress: A Mechanism Investigation

Chamine

Oken

2016

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

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Objective: Aromas may improve physiologic and cognitive function after stress, but associated mechanisms remain unknown. This study evaluated the effects of lavender aroma, which is commonly used for stress reduction, on physiologic and cognitive functions. The contribution of pharmacologic, hedonic, and expectancyrelated mechanisms of the aromatherapy effects was evaluated. Methods: Ninety-two healthy adults (mean age, 58.0 years; 79.3% women) were randomly assigned to three aroma groups (lavender, perceptible placebo [coconut], and nonperceptible placebo [water] and to two prime subgroups (primed, with a suggestion of inhaling a powerful stress-reducing aroma, or no prime). Participants' performance on a battery of cognitive tests, physiologic responses, and subjective stress were evaluated at baseline and after exposure to a stress battery during which aromatherapy was present. Participants also rated the intensity and pleasantness of their assigned aroma. Results: Pharmacologic effects of lavender but not placebo aromas significantly benefited post-stress performance on the working memory task (F (2, 86) = 5.41; p = 0.006). Increased expectancy due to positive prime, regardless of aroma type, facilitated post-stress performance on the processing speed task (F (1, 87) = 8.31; p = 0.005). Aroma hedonics (pleasantness and intensity) played a role in the beneficial lavender effect on working memory and physiologic function. Conclusions: The observable aroma effects were produced by a combination of mechanisms involving aromaspecific pharmacologic properties, aroma hedonic properties, and participant expectations. In the future, each of these mechanisms could be manipulated to produce optimal functioning.

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Section: Chamine and Okenmentioning

confidence: 60%