Scientific research regarding health and medical applications of essential oils is going on regularly at universities and other facilities around the world. Many of these studies are immediately applicable to aromatherapy practitioners for improved health and wellbeing, while others spark interest in the potential of essential oils as a part of future medicine protocols. Modern scientific research is regularly confirming aromatherapy’s practical medical applications! Here’s a look at two important journal publications released this Spring (2009) about direct effects of essential oils in the brain, reviewed by the staff at Ananda Aromatherapy of Boulder, Colorado.
Many essential oils are used to help folks focus, to think a little more clearly and be more effective in their jobs and as students. The action of these oils tend to correspond to their aromas: bright, high-note oils tend to clarify and uplift the awareness (where soft floral aromas gently sedate, and earthy aromas are grounding and calming). Research has shown significant improvements in mental acuity by the inhalation of these oils, and now the physiological means through which they act in our brains is being revealed.
In the first study, perfomed at the Institute for Environmental Sciences at the University of Shizuoka Japan, Tarragon, Inula, Lavender and Holy Basil were tested for their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. In other words, their ability to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, the primary information-handling neurotransmitter. Supplements with this action are becoming more and more popular with regular folks trying to increase their smarts, and are used to treat dementia (Alzheimer’s) by increasing the amount of acetylcholine in the brain.
Of the essential oils tested, Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) produced in France had the highest inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, though all the oils tested showed significant AChE inhibitory activity. All the oils were analyzed by GC/MS to find the individual natural chemical constituents of the oils which produced this effect. Of real interest is that 1,8-Cineol had the greatest inhibitory activity of all the constituents examined. Why this this interesting? Rosemary essential oil has long been considered a mental stimulant (we find in the office to be particularly brightening) and has been studied for this effect, improving mental focus in humans through a variety of tests. The primary component of Rosemary essential oil is 1,8-Cineol (it is also a major constituent of Eucalyptus oils, used for invigorating massages and steam treatments).
Further, the additive effect of the essential oil components was noted: a complete essential oil with all its constituents in their natural balance was more effective than could be accounted for by the action of the individual chemicals. This is a cornerstone of therapeutic aromatherapy; that all the natural constituents of an oil synergize to make a more medicinal compound than any of the single chemicals involved ever could be in real-world natural applications.
While a single chemical from an essential oil may show a specific effect in a biochemical pathway, these molecules don’t smell very interesting. A really fine, wildcrafted Rosemary essential oil is a pleasure to breathe in. Other studies have shown stress reduction (along with mental stimulation) occurs when Rosemary is inhaled, and it’s well known that our brains perform more accurately when not under stress. The bottom line is that while it’s a regular practice for researchers to examine single components of a natural substance to find the ‘active ingredient’, in general in natural medicine, and in particular with aromatherapy, the whole natural extract will be better for our health.
The second study is closely related to the first in its investigation of the potential of essential oils to have a deeply healing effect on the brain. At the Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, Japanese researchers showed that Lemon essential oil has two important actions for both preventing and treating dementia. The cold-pressed essential oil from lemon peels prevented memory lost from exposure to toxic chemicals. At the same time, it prevented the breakdown of acetylcholine in the same manner as the oils had in the first study — through the inhibition of the AChE enzyme. It’s wonderful to find modern science proving the great health benefits of simple Lemon essential oil — it has the ability to both prevent dementia and maintain important neurotransmitter levels in our nervous systems.
How can you benefit from these studies? The best method is to find a cold-air nebulizing diffuser. These employ no water or other carrier, and make a very fine mist of essential oils that easily evaporate into your room. These are the only diffusers that create high concentrations of essential oils in the air — enough to show measurable biochemical effects. A ‘warming’ diffuser or other non-nebulizing style will allow you to smell the aroma, though the concentration will be significantly lower. At Ananda Aromatherapy we’ve been trying Lemon and Rosemary together, along with a little sweeter oil like cold-pressed Orange, Tangerine or Mandarin. Lavender or Ylang Ylang might go well with this too, for a calming effect at the same time. One can set the diffuser up on a timer so it runs ten minutes every hour and run it all during the day. The oils can always be changed to other ‘brightening’ aromas, as they will likely have similar effects — getting the mind sharp and staying sharp!
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