Aromatherapy Improves Symptoms of Anxiety in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

by | Feb 13, 2024 | 2024, Alternative Therapies, Blood Pressure, Botanicals, Brain Health, Cardiovascular Health

Written by Chrystal Moulton, Staff Writer. After treatment with chamomile aromatherapy, researchers observed a significant reduction in heart rate (P <0.001), systolic blood pressure (P <0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (P<0.001).

botanicalsAcute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a condition in which individuals experience acute and sudden myocardial ischemia, which left untreated can lead to a heart attack1. Symptoms commonly associated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are indigestion, chest pain, nausea, shortness of breath, and anxiety2. Patients with ACS experience anxiety that in turn increases blood pressure, heart rate, and heart contraction force and thus increases the risk of ischemia and myocardial infarction3,4. Aromatherapy is a common alternative practice that promotes relaxation5. Chamomile, an herb commonly used in aromatherapy, has been shown to reduce anxiety6. In the current study, researchers investigated the efficacy of aromatherapy using chamomile on hemodynamic indices and anxiety in ACS patients7.

221 hospitalized ACS patients were included in this parallel, randomized, double-blind clinical trial. The patients were between 20 to 80 years old with no history of heart, lung, liver, and thyroid disease; chronic headaches, migraines, mental or anxiety disorders; were not taking anti-anxiety medicines; not addicted to opioids; had no history of using aromatherapy; had minimum score of 4 on Spielberger anxiety questionnaire [STAI-6]; with no allergies, asthma nor Alzheimer’s disease and spoke Farsi. All patients were interviewed by an investigator to collect demographic data and anxiety status (using the Spielberger State Trait Inventory [STAI-6] questionnaire) at baseline. An allergy test was conducted to ensure patients were not allergic to chamomile essential oil. Hospitalized patients were randomly assigned to chamomile aromatherapy or placebo (which used sesame oil). In the treatment group, seven drops of chamomile essential oil were dripped on a sterile cotton ball and placed 5 centimeters from the nose of each patient. Patients were then asked to take 10 deep breaths. This was done between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM.  Afterwards, the chamomile-soaked cotton ball was tied around the patient’s neck like a necklace, which they wore as they slept. At 8:00 AM the next morning the cotton ball was removed, and the process repeated the corresponding night. This was done for two consecutive nights. Patients assigned to the placebo group followed the exact same protocol, only their cotton balls were soaked sesame oil. Blood pressure and heart rate was measured 30 minutes before the treatment was applied, one hour after treatment, and at 4-hour intervals until 8:00 AM [4h, 8h, 12h, respectively]. After completing 2 consecutive days of aromatherapy, on the morning of the third day at 8:00 AM, all patients underwent the Spielberger anxiety questionnaire with an investigator to assess anxiety level.

Analysis was completed on 154 patients. No statistical significance was observed in demographic and medical characteristics between the placebo and intervention group. Anxiety scores, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate were non-significant between placebo and intervention group before treatment. After treatment with chamomile aromatherapy, researchers observed a significant reduction in heart rate (P<0.001), systolic blood pressure (P<0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (P<0.001) by the end of day 2. Furthermore, a significant decrease in anxiety scores after treatment in the intervention group was observed at the end of the trial (morning of day 3) compared to placebo [P<0.001]. Even after controlling for individual variables, the effect of chamomile aromatherapy on heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety remained statistically significant (P<0.05).

Results from this study showed that aromatherapy with chamomile could be beneficial in reducing anxiety in hospitalized patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome. This study was limited to patients in Iran. Therefore, additional research will be needed to assess the benefit of aromatherapy with chamomile in ACS patients among other populations.

Source: Pourshaikhian, Majid, Mohammad Taghi Moghadamnia, Ehsan Kazemnezhad Leyli, and Zahra Shafiei Kisomi. “Effects of aromatherapy with Matricaria chamomile essential oil on anxiety and hemodynamic indices in patients with acute coronary syndrome, 2021: a randomized controlled trial.” BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 24, no. 1 (2024): 17.

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Posted February 13, 2024.

Chrystal Moulton BA, PMP, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on premedical studies and is a licensed project manager. She currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.

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