Effect of lavender scent inhalation on prevention of stress, anxiety and depression in the postpartum period

Abstract

Background:Stress, anxiety, and postpartum depression are the most common problems among women in their childbearing age. Research has shown that aromatherapy administered during labor reduces anxiety in mothers. With regard to the specific biological conditions in postpartum period and the subsequent drop in hormone levels, this study investigated the effect of lavender on prevention of stress, anxiety, and postpartum depression in women.Materials and Methods:In a clinical trial, 140 women admitted to the obstetric and gynecological unit were randomly divided into aromatherapy and non-aromatherapy groups immediately after delivery. Intervention with aromatherapy consisted of inhaling three drops of lavender essential oil every 8 h with for 4 weeks. The control group received routine care after discharge and was followed up by telephone only. After 2 weeks, 1 and 3 months of delivery, women were assessed by the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale and the Edinburgh stress, anxiety, and depression scale in the two groups. Data analysis was performed by Mann-Whitney, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and post hoc tests. Level of significance was set as 0.05 for all tests.Results:The results showed that the mean stress, anxiety, and depression at time point of 2 weeks (P = 0.012, P < 0.0001, and P = 0.003, respectively) and stress, anxiety, and depression scores at time points of 1 month (P < 0.0001) and 3 months after delivery (P < 0.0001) were significantly lower in the study group compared with the control group.Conclusions:Inhaling the scent of lavender for 4 weeks can prevent stress, anxiety, and depression after childbirth.

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

“…11 Linalyl acetate produces narcotic effects. 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.…”

Effects of Juniper Essential Oil on the Activity of Autonomic Nervous System

“…A number of essential oils such as rose, lavender, bergamot, lemon, and sandalwood are currently in use as aromatherapy agents to relieve stress, anxiety, and depression (Mannucci et al, 2017). Inhaling the scent of lavender is reported to prevent stress, anxiety, and depression after childbirth, and inhalation of bergamot essential oil decreases behavior related depressive disorder (Kianpour et al, 2016;Saiyudthong and Mekseepralard, 2015).…”

Role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Otolaryngologic Perioperative Care

“…27 Although the mechanism by which aromatherapy works is uncertain, experts believe that after the smell receptors in the nose relay messages to the limbic system in the brain, the essential oils act as anxiolytics and allow the patient to feel calm and relaxed. [27][28][29][30] In a randomized, controlled trial, Soltani et al tested the effectiveness of aromatherapy with lavender essential oil on posttonsillectomy pain in pediatric patients. 31 Forty-eight pediatric patients 6-12 years old were randomly assigned to 2 groups.…”