The Health Benefits of Essential Oils

by | Feb 6, 2025 | Essential Oils, Recent Articles

Written by Harold Oster, MD. Essential oils, used for thousands of years in aromatherapy, have numerous health benefits.

essential oilsEssential oils are complex compounds produced by aromatic plants. They have been used for centuries in fragrances, cosmetics, and aromatherapy and have become more popular recently as alternatives to pharmaceuticals1. Hundreds of essential oils are on the market, many with more than a hundred individual compounds, so it is difficult to generalize about their risks and benefits. Many essential oils have therapeutic properties and are used primarily for stress, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Some are used topically for their dermatologic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory benefits.

The Benefits of Essential Oils for Depression and Anxiety

Essential oils have long been used in aromatherapy to treat mood disorders. A possible mechanism involves the olfactory system absorbing molecules and transporting them to the hypothalamus and hippocampus. Animal studies suggest that several essential oils affect dopamine and serotonin pathways in the brain. Lavender, sweet orange, bergamot, chamomile, and rosemary have been shown to reduce stress levels and diminish feelings of anxiety. In some studies, the anxiolytic effect was accompanied by reductions in heart rate and blood pressure.

Lavender, sweet orange, bergamot, chamomile, and sage may benefit depressed individuals, both in those with primary depression and in patients whose mood disorder is related to chronic medical conditions2.

Essential Oils’ Effects on Cognitive Function

In addition to the psychological benefits, some essential oils may affect cognitive function. Lavender improves attention, while sage, camphor, and peppermint may improve memory. Several essential oils, including rosemary, chamomile, and patchouli, are psychostimulants3.

The Benefits of Essential Oils on Sleep

Sleep disorders are common in hospitals and the community. Sedating medications have significant side effects and are especially problematic in patients with underlying medical conditions. Aromatherapy with essential oils may offer an alternative. Most positive studies have been performed on lavender alone or combined with tea tree, sweet orange, and bergamot oils4.

Beneficial Effects of Essential Oils on Pain

The results of studies on essential oils and pain have been mixed. Menthol and other essential oils offer transient pain relief when used topically5. Aromatherapy with bergamot oil may reduce nociceptive, neuropathic, and chronic pain6.

Essential Oils for Skin Diseases

Many essential oils exhibit anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects when used topically. Aloe, oat, curcumin, and chamomile oils are beneficial in treating inflammatory skin conditions such as dermatitis, acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Lavender, eucalyptus, thyme, cinnamon, and other oils are reported to treat cutaneous infections, even those caused by bacteria resistant to antibiotics.

Other Possible Benefits of Essential Oils

Essential oils have been used for migraines. There are a few positive studies, but overall, most have been inconclusive or negative7. A Cochrane Library review suggests that aromatherapy with ginger or peppermint may have some benefit in postoperative nausea and vomiting, but the findings were uncertain and based on low-quality evidence8.

Safety of Essential Oils

Essential oils may cause contact dermatitis9 and photosensitive reactions when applied topically1. Intentional or accidental ingestion of various essential oils can lead to mucosal injury and liver and renal toxicity. Pregnant women should discuss aromatherapy and essential oils with their physician10. It is possible that patients with chronic lung disease could develop cough or shortness of breath when using aromatherapy11 .

Posted February 6, 2025.

Harold Oster, MD graduated from medical school in Miami, Florida in 1992 and moved to Minnesota in 2004. After more than 25 years of practicing Internal Medicine, he recently retired. Dr. Oster is especially interested in nutrition, weight management, and disease prevention. Visit his website at haroldoster.com. 

References:

  1. Sharmeen JB, Mahomoodally FM, Zengin G, Maggi F. Essential Oils as Natural Sources of Fragrance Compounds for Cosmetics and Cosmeceuticals. Molecules. Jan 27 2021;26(3)doi:10.3390/molecules26030666
  2. Fung TKH, Lau BWM, Ngai SPC, Tsang HWH. Therapeutic Effect and Mechanisms of Essential Oils in Mood Disorders: Interaction between the Nervous and Respiratory Systems. Int J Mol Sci. May 3 2021;22(9)doi:10.3390/ijms22094844
  3. Lizarraga-Valderrama LR. Effects of essential oils on central nervous system: Focus on mental health. Phytother Res. Feb 2021;35(2):657-679. doi:10.1002/ptr.6854
  4. Her J, Cho MK. Effect of aromatherapy on sleep quality of adults and elderly people: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. Aug 2021;60:102739. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102739
  5. Li Z, Zhang H, Wang Y, Li Y, Li Q, Zhang L. The distinctive role of menthol in pain and analgesia: Mechanisms, practices, and advances. Front Mol Neurosci. 2022;15:1006908. doi:10.3389/fnmol.2022.1006908
  6. Scuteri D, Hamamura K, Sakurada T, et al. Efficacy of Essential Oils in Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Preclinical Evidence. Front Pharmacol. 2021;12:640128. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.640128
  7. Murtey P, Noor NM, Ishak A, Idris NS. Essential Oils as an Alternative Treatment for Migraine Headache: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Korean J Fam Med. Jan 2024;45(1):18-26. doi:10.4082/kjfm.23.0106
  8. Hines S, Steels E, Chang A, Gibbons K. Aromatherapy for treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Mar 10 2018;3(3):Cd007598. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007598.pub3
  9. Maddheshiya S, Ahmad A, Ahmad W, Zakir F, Aggarwal G. Essential oils for the treatment of skin anomalies: Scope and potential. South African Journal of Botany. 2022;151:187-197.
  10. Sheppard-Hanger S, Hanger N. The Importance of Safety When Using Aromatherapy. International Journal of Childbirth Education. 2015;30(1)
  11. Association AL. Essential Oils: More Harmful Than Helpful? Updated September 9, 2024. 2024. https://www.lung.org/blog/essential-oils-harmful-or-helpful