Effects of Olfactory Stimulation from the Fragrance of the Japanese Citrus Fruit Yuzu (Citrus junos Sieb. ex Tanaka) on Mood States and Salivary Chromogranin A as an Endocrinologic Stress Marker

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the soothing effects of fragrance from yuzu, a Japanese citrus fruit (Citrus junos Sieb. ex Tanaka), with salivary chromogranin A (CgA) used as an endocrinologic stress marker reflecting sympathetic nervous system activity. Methods: Twenty healthy women (mean age, 20.5 -0.1 years) participated in a randomized, controlled, crossover study. Participants were examined on two separate occasions-once using the yuzu scent and once using unscented water as a control-in the follicular phase. This experiment measured salivary CgA and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) as a psychological index before and after the aromatic stimulation. Results: Ten-minute inhalation of the yuzu scent significantly decreased salivary CgA. At 30 minutes after the inhalation period, the salivary CgA level further decreased. In addition, POMS revealed that inhalation of the aromatic yuzu oil significantly decreased total mood disturbance, a global measure of affective state, as well as four subscores of emotional symptoms (tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, anger-hostility, and confusion), as long as 30 minutes after the olfactory stimulation. Conclusions: Yuzu's aromatic effects may alleviate negative emotional stress, which, at least in part, would contribute to the suppression of sympathetic nervous system activity.

The Effectiveness of Aromatherapy for Depressive Symptoms: A Systematic Review

“…The comparison groups used in the studies included no intervention group ( n = 6) [20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29], vehicle group ( n = 4, received vehicle such as carrier oil or water) [18, 19, 21, 23], and active control group ( n = 2; usual supportive care and cognitive behavior therapy, well known treatments with positive effect on the outcome measures) [25, 27]. …”

“…In addition, the purity of the fractionated mixture was unknown. Other essential oils utilized were petitgrain [20] and Yuzu [21] essential oil alone while cedarwood [18] and rose otto [19] were used in combination with a mixture of lavender and bergamot, and lavender, respectively.…”

“…The main differences in the administration methods rely on the distance between the aroma source and the subject's nose. In one study, cotton impregnated with essential oil placed in a diffuser was set in the nostrils of the subjects [21]. In the other two studies the source of aroma was placed approximately 30 cm away from the nose of the subjects [18, 20].…”

États nerveux et dystonie neurovégétative, sédation avec les huiles essentielles

“…La stimulation olfactive par l'huile aromatique du Yuzu (Citrus junos) peut atténuer le stress émotionnel négatif, et contribue à la suppression de l'activité du système nerveux sympathique [26].…”

A Randomized Controlled Trial for the Effectiveness of Aromatherapy in Decreasing Salivary Gland Damage following Radioactive Iodine Therapy for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

“…The properties of oils, their fragrances, and their effects determine the level of stimulation of this system [15]. Olfactory information is further transmitted to primary olfactory regions in the brain, most of which are components of or strongly connected to the limbic system [16, 17]. …”