Aromatherapy, Yay or Nay ?

Since 2017 I am using essential oils daily and I will never stop! From skin care, treating various conditions (colds, stomach flu, indigestion etc etc) to including them in the cleaning products, they are versatile, reliable and incredibly efficient.

Lately, as people are generally more aware of the benefits of a healthier and more natural lifestyle, these "miracle drops" have gained incredible popularity. Some of my all time favorites are : Frankincense (for skincare, better sleep and celullar support), Geranium (skincare, fragrance, femininity), Lavender (skincare, better sleep, relaxation, fragrance), OnGuard (A signature Doterra blend to help the body through various illnesses provoked by viruses and bacteria), Wild Orange (to flavour food and drinks), Siberian Fir (to purify the air, improve breathing and give an amazind scent to homes and cars)

And the scientific studies are there to backup the popular belief. I am gathered here some information about the oils and supporting evidence from reliable sources. 

🧴 What Is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is a complementary practice that uses essential oils—volatile plant extracts—to promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Oils are typically inhaled (via diffuser, steam, or inhaler) or applied topically (often mixed with a carrier oil during massage). It traces its roots to ancient civilizations and was first termed “aromatherapy” in the early 20th century by French chemist René‑Maurice Gattefossé sciencedirect.com+14pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+14pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+14.

While pleasurable, aromatherapy is not a medical cure—regulatory agencies caution that scientific proof for treating diseases remains limited .

Key Benefits & Supporting Studies

1. Improved Sleep Quality

• A 2021 meta‑analysis of 30 studies with adults and older adults found a large effect (Cohen’s d = 0.74) on sleep quality. Notably, sessions >20 minutes and >12 interventions showed better outcomes bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com+3pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+3pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+3.
• A separate meta‑analysis of 12 studies reported inhalation aromatherapy significantly improved sleep versus massage or control realitypathing.com+11pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+11pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+11.
• In cancer patients, single-oil aromatherapy significantly enhanced sleep quality bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com.

2. Reduced Anxiety & Stress

• Aromatherapy in ICU patients may reduce anxiety, though evidence is low certainty; further research is needed for strong conclusions pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1time.com+1.
• In college students, inhaled aromatherapy effectively lessened test anxiety, with blended oils outperforming single oil regimens pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+15frontiersin.org+15sciencedirect.com+15.
• Lavender and citrus oils are frequently recommended for stress relief by mental health experts .

3. Pain Relief

• A meta‑analysis of 12 trials found aromatherapy significantly reduced pain (SMD = –1.18), especially for nociceptive and acute pain. The strongest effects were seen in postoperative (SMD = –1.79) and obstetrical pain (SMD = –1.14) pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+2pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+2ijpsjournal.com+2.

4. Enhanced Mood & Cognition

• Inhaling rosemary essential oil has been linked to increased alertness and improved cognitive task performance in small 2012 and 2021 studies realitypathing.com+2health.com+2verywellhealth.com+2.
• A 2022 review in Frontiers in Neuroscience highlighted rosemary’s neuroprotective properties and potential to support memory verywellhealth.com.
• Aromachology research shows scents like jasmine, eucalyptus, and peppermint can enhance focus and stress modulation via the olfactory system en.wikipedia.org+2en.wikipedia.org+2ijpsjournal.com+2.

5. Additional Potential Benefits

• Lavender, in multiple trials, has shown promise for anxiety, depression, and improved sleep—but results vary and caution is advised pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+15verywellmind.com+15uclahealth.org+15.
• Eucalyptus and peppermint may aid respiratory health, decongestion, and offer mild anti-inflammatory effects in settings such as showers or diffusers realsimple.com.

Limitations & Considerations

• Evidence quality varies. Many reviews highlight methodological issues, small sample sizes, and placebo effects .
• Effects might stem from the ritual or expectancy, not the oil itself ijpsjournal.com+2time.com+2frontiersin.org+2.
• Oils can cause skin irritation or allergies; some (like citrus oils) may be phototoxic . Always dilute topically and purchase reputable brands.

How to Use Safely & Effectively

Method

Tips

Inhalation

Use 3–5 drops in a diffuser, inhaler, or steam for 20–30 minutes at bedtime or before stressful events.

Topical

Mix 2–3 drops essential oil per tsp carrier oil (e.g., jojoba, almond) for massage; test patch skin first.

Blended Oils

Combining oils (e.g., lavender + rosemary) often yields stronger outcomes than single oils health.com.

💡 Summary

Aromatherapy—using inhaled or topical essential oils—can offer moderate benefits for sleep, anxiety, pain, and cognitive function, supported by multiple meta‑analyses and clinical studies. However, evidence is often mixed, with challenges in study design and replicability. The most robust findings involve sleep and pain relief using lavender and rosemary, and anxiety reduction with blended inhalations.

If you’re interested in exploring aromatherapy, try diffusing lavender before bed, inhaling rosemary in focus sessions, or mixing oils for massage. Always use high-quality oils, dilute properly, and consult a healthcare provider if you have health conditions, are pregnant, or are taking medications.

Feel free to ask if you'd like guidance on specific blends, usage protocols, or reputable oil sources!

If you are curious to know how these products can help your clients and your business, give us a call or send us an email and one of our certified professionals will reach out to schedule a  “test & learn” session where you can see, smell and even taste the DoTerra products which will then speak for themselves. 

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