Aromatherapy Oil Inhalation Significantly Reduces Perennial Allergic Rhinitis and Hypersensitivity Factors

by | May 25, 2017 | 2016, Immune Health

Written by James C. Morton Jr., Staff Writer. In a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical research study, aromatherapy oil inhalation significantly decreased perennial allergic rhinitis symptoms (52.3%), rhino conjunctivitis quality of life, (62.0%), and fatigue and sleep factors (32.3%) compared to placebo group.  

allergiesPerennial Allergic Rhinitis, one of the most year–round chronic disorders, that occurs when exposure to an allergen, triggers an antigen–specific immunoglobulin-E (IgE) overactive response that can lead to inflammation in the sinus pathways (sinusitis) and nasal cavities (rhinitis). The resulting symptoms include sneezing, nasal and throat itching, nasal obstruction, coughing, watery eye or swelling, fatigue, and runny nose (rhinorrhea), that can occur for an hour or more all year, and are often associated with fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and depression 1-3. The most leading stimulus to these conditions are allergies. In the United States, Perennial Allergic Rhinitis is the 6th leading cause of chronic illness with an estimated annual health care cost that exceeds $18 billion a year, and affects 50 million people each year 4.

Allergic Rhinitis, also called Hay Fever, induces cold-like symptoms in response to variant pressures, indoor and outdoor antigens like pollen, dust mites, animal hair and skin, and chemicals, and other environmental factors that can increase asthmatic symptoms and even lead to Otis media (ear infection) 5.

The popular treatment approach for perennial allergic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis patients is the use of prescription medication that consist of an antigen-antibody, immunotherapy, other pharmacological medication like intranasal corticosteroids, anti-histamines, decongestants, and surgery 6,7. Unfortunately, some of these remedies are expensive, or may have problematic side effects if taken for long periods of time, and contribute to the increasing healthcare budget problem in the United States.

Fortunately, a 2016 study 8, revealed that aromatherapy oil inhalation reduces allergic hypersensitivity and inflammatory factors that can lead to perennial allergic rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, Otis media, and worsening asthma. In this placebo-controlled randomized double-blind clinical study, 54 men and women with perennial allergic rhinitis , aged 20 to 60 years, received 5 minutes of aromatherapy twice daily for seven days. The treatments consisted of the following essential oils:

  • Sandalwood in 1 milliliter container dissolved in almond oil (0.2% concentration)
  • Geranium/Frankincence in 1 milliliter container dissolved in almond oil (0.2% concentration)
  • Ravensara in 1 milliliter container dissolved in almond oil (0.2% concentration)
  • Pure Almond oil in a 1 milliliter container (Control Group)

After 7 days, researchers noted the following: p-value 0.05 = significant. (Experimental group = mix aroma of Sandalwood (S), Geranium, (G), and Ravensara (R). PAR = Perennial Allergic Rhinitis.

Variable FactorsExperimental Group (27)Placebo- Control Group (27)P-value % Difference
PAR Symptoms52.3% Decrease (from 6.81 to 3.25)28.7% Decrease (from 6.44 to 4.59)p = 0.022
Rhinoconjunctivitis/Quality of Life62.0% Decrease (from 1.87 to 0.71)30.5% Decrease (from 1.90 to 1.32)p = 0.002
Fatigue32.3% Decrease (from 35.0 to 23.7)17.0% Decrease (from 33.5 to 27.8)p = 0.021

PAR symptoms = sneezing, running nose, itchy nose, and nose obstruction. Rhinoconjuctivitis/Quality of Life = practical problems, sleep, nose problems, activity, and emotions. There was no significant difference in the quality of sleep between the experimental and control groups.

When suggesting how aromatherapy oil inhalation benefits those with perennial allergic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis, researchers pointed to the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of the monoterpenes alpha-pinene, alpha-terpineol, and 1,8 cineol 9-11 found in essential oils. Sandalwood is rich in santalol, which elevates the parasympathetic nervous system to relax the hypersensitive nasal mucosa and calm down allergic reactions 12. Ravensara reduces eosinophils, granulocytes and mast cells to soothe sensitized cells and lessen allergic reactions.

Limitations of the study are:

  • N post-treatment follow-up measurements post treatment to assess the duration of efficacy of aromatherapy
  • No biomarkers for PAR symptoms such as IgE
  • Aromatherapy efficacy depending on the concentration of essential oils was not determined

The researchers concluded that inhalation with the above blended oil aromatherapy reduced fatigue, alleviated symptoms and improved quality of life in participating subjects and can be used as a safe and effective intervention to reduce perennial allergic rhinitis.

Source: Choi, Seo Yeon, and Kyungsook Park. “Effect of inhalation of aromatherapy oil on patients with perennial allergic rhinitis: a randomized controlled trial.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2016 (2016). 2016.

© 2016 S. Y. Choi and K. Park. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.    

Posted May 25, 2017. 

References:

  1. Craig TJ, Teetsb S, Lehman EB, Chinchilli VM, Zwillich C. Nasal congestion secondary to allergic rhinitis as a cause of sleep disturbance and daytime fatigue and the response to topical nasal corticosteroids. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 1998;101(5):633-637.
  2. Medicine JH. Rhinitis. 2017; Overview of rhinitis. Available at: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/allergy_and_asthma/rhinitis_85,P00033/. Accessed May 14, 2017, 2017.
  3. Mackay I, Durham S. ABC of allergies: perennial rhinitis. BMJ: British Medical Journal. 1998;316(7135):917.
  4. CDC. Allergies. 2011; Overview of allergies. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/toolstemplates/entertainmented/tips/allergies.html. Accessed May 15, 2017, 2017.
  5. Clinic M. Hay Fever. 2015; Overview of hay fever. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/basics/definition/con-20020827. Accessed May 15, 2017, 2017.
  6. Ishman SL, Martin TJ, Hambrook DW, Smith TL, Jaradeh SS, Loehrl TA. Autonomic nervous system evaluation in allergic rhinitis. Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. 2007;136(1):51-56.
  7. Kelly HW, Sternberg AL, Lescher R, et al. Effect of inhaled glucocorticoids in childhood on adult height. New England Journal of Medicine. 2012;367(10):904-912.
  8. Choi SY, Park K. Effect of inhalation of aromatherapy oil on patients with perennial allergic rhinitis: a randomized controlled trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2016;2016.
  9. Canonica GW, Cox L, Pawankar R, et al. Sublingual immunotherapy: World Allergy Organization position paper 2013 update. World allergy organization journal. 2014;7(1):6.
  10. Ferrara L, Naviglio D, Armone Caruso A. Cytological aspects on the effects of a nasal spray consisting of standardized extract of citrus lemon and essential oils in allergic rhinopathy. ISRN pharmaceutics. 2012;2012.
  11. Moon P-D, Choi IS, Go J-H, et al. Inhibitory effects of biryuche-bang on mast cell-mediated allergic reactions and inflammatory cytokines production. The American journal of Chinese medicine. 2013;41(06):1267-1282.
  12. Okugawa H, Ueda R, Matsumoto K, Kawanishi K, Kato A. Effect of α-santalol and β-santalol from sandalwood on the central nervous system in mice. Phytomedicine. 1995;2(2):119-126.