Lavender Essential Oil and Its Components Improves Pain in Patients with Postherpetic Neuralgia

by | Mar 13, 2024 | 2024, Botanicals, Essential Oils

Written by Chrystal Moulton, Staff Writer. Aromatherapeutic treatment showed a significant reduction in sensory pain and total pain score in all three experimental groups compared to control (P< 0.05).

lavender essential oilVaricella zoster virus, which causes chicken pox and shingles, can also lead to postherpetic neuralgia1. Current treatments for postherpetic neuralgia are tramadol, anti-epileptic drugs, opioids, capsaicin patches, and lidocaine1. However, long term use of these drugs can lead to serious side effects and possible dependency2,3. Aromatherapy, which stimulates the limbic system and affects the endocrine and autonomic nervous systems, has been successfully used to reduce pain without side effects4-6. In the current trial, researchers investigated the aromatherapeutic effect of lavender oil and its mains constituents on pain relief in patients with postherpetic neuralgia7.

Participants of any age were included in this trial. All participants were patients clinically diagnosed with postherpetic neuralgia and have not received previous neurological treatment for herpes zoster. Only patients with a pain score of four or higher, indicating moderate to severe pain, were included in this trial. These patients were being treated with anticonvulsants or analgesics to manage pain. They did not discontinue use for prescribed pain meds during this trial. Individuals receiving hormone therapy, aromatherapy, medications for psychiatric illness, and who were allergic to lavender essential oil were excluded. This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. Pain was assessed using the McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ), which evaluated the severity, quality, and intensity of pain8. Depression was also evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). A high score on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) indicated a higher level of depression. Patients were divided into four groups:

  • Lavender essential oil 1%
  • Linalyl acetate 1%
  • Linalool 1%
  • almond oil (control group)

At baseline, patients completed demographic information assessment, the McGill pain questionnaire, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Afterwards, they rested for 5 minutes in a seated position. Then, each group was given a piece of gauze that containing their assigned the protocol (either 1% Linalyl acetate, 1% Linalool, 1% lavender essential oil, or almond oil) which was placed under their noses. In a seated position while breathing naturally, participants inhaled their assigned protocol for 5 minutes and then rested for 15 minutes. Afterwards, each participant completed once more the McGill pain questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory. Both patients and assessors were blinded during the trial.

A total of 64 patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups, however 58 completed the trial. The average age of participants was 64.09 ±15.27 years old. Of the 58 who completed the trial, 23 were males and 35 were females and the average duration of pain post diagnosis was 10.7 ±9.46 weeks. Average depression scores were 10.45 ±6.9. About 94.8% of participants received anticonvulsants and 86.2% received analgesics as treatment for the neuralgia. No significant differences were observed between the 4 groups at baseline in demographics and pain score. Post tests following aromatherapeutic treatment showed a significant reduction in sensory pain and total pain score in all three experimental groups compared to control (based on the McGill pain questionnaire [SF-MPQ], P< 0.05). Affective pain score was significantly reduced in the lavender (P < 0.001) and linalool group (P= 0.007) compared to the control. No significant difference was observed in affective pain scores for the linalyl acetate group (P= 0.092) compared to control. Pain severity and intensity was also significantly reduced in all three experimental groups compared to the control. [See Table 1]

Table 1. The change in pain scores following experimental treatment with lavender essential oil & its components.

Assessments Control 1% Lavender 1% Linalyl acetate 1% Linalool
Sensory pain (SF-MPQ) -0.57 ± 0.36 – 7.07 ±1.30, P< 0.001 -6.36 ±1.03, P<0.001 -7.73 ±1.59, P< 0.001
Pain Severity (VAS) -3.64 ±1.81 mm – 19.40 ±3.26 mm, P= 0.011 -18.64 ±2.95 mm, P= 0.008 -23.20 ±3.92 mm, P<0.001
Pain intensity (Likert scale) -0.07 ±0.07 -1.53 ±0.26, P<0.001 -1.50 ±0.27, P<0.001 -1.33 ±0.27, P< 0.001

Results from this trial demonstrated that inhalation of lavender essential oil and its components provided additional relief in pain severity and intensity in patients with postherpetic neuralgia. These results reflect that pain has a sensory dimension as well. This study also showed that aromatherapy could be a beneficial addition to conventional treatment for postherpetic neuralgia. Additional studies will be needed to verify these findings in other age groups and populations.

Source: You, Jiyeong, You Kyoung Shin, and Geun Hee Seol. “Alleviating effect of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and its major components on postherpetic pain: a randomized blinded controlled trial.” BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 24, no. 1 (2024): 54.

© The Author(s) 2024. Open Access

Click here to read the full text study.

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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