Evidence Map on Aromatherapy Clinical Effectiveness

ABSTRACT

This map presents overview evidence of the clinical effects of essential oils in humans. The search was conducted in several databases, and 73 systematic review studies were included. Main Findings: This Map collects evidence for interventions with 49 essential oils, 9 fatty vegetable oils or in 66 mixtures (synergies) and one hydrolate, with applications through inhalation, massage, bath, ingestion, or topical. Each intervention was associated with at least one of 55 health outcomes classified into 8 groups Pain; Metabolic and Physiological Indicators; Noncommunicable Diseases; Mental Health; Infectious Diseases; Women´s Health; Skin Diseases; Well-Being, Vitality and Quality of Life, totaling 420 associations. The effects reported by each study included positive, potentially positive, no effect, and inconclusive effects. This Map found 333 positive effect for different health outcomes. Highlighting that no negative effect was reported. The essential oil most researched was Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia - 116 associations). The Roses essential oil was the second most researched (Rosa damascena - 24 associations). The interventions with Lavender essential oil demonstrated more relevant effects on Mental Health, especially anxiety disorders. Interventions with Rose essential oil the more relevant effects on outcomes related to Women's Health, especially dysmenorrhea and pain in childbirth.