May 15, 2022
Fatigue is a subjective feeling of tiredness, weakness, or lack of energy and motivation. It is distressing and highly prevalent in adults, particularly in those diagnosed with cancer, receiving hemodialysis or suffering from chronic diseases. It has no specific mechanism and can occur at any disease stage.. Aromatherapy can be delivered by inhalation, massage, compression, or foot baths. Research indicates that aromatic inhalation stimulates the olfactory nerve cells and the integumentary and lymphatic systems, triggering the release of neurotransmitters, such as endorphins, peptides, enkephalin, serotonin, and noradrenaline, which can enhance wellbeing and relaxation, thus reducing chronic stress.
Smell is mainly governed by the brain’s limbic system, which is also associated with emotions, feeling, and behavior. Massage is thought to play a role in the skin, blood, and lymphatic systems. Moreover, aromatic massage promotes the absorption of essential oils and activates mental and physiological responses, including an immune system response. Additionally, aromatic massage not only facilitates the absorption of essential oil through the skin but also keeps the skin warm and relaxes the body. As a nonpharmacological, complementary, and alternative modality, aromatherapy is economical and has fewer adverse effects compared with Western medicine. Therefore a recent meta-analysis reviewed clinical research for aromatherapy in the relief of fatigue. The conclusion was that topical application or inhalation of essential oils relieves fatigue in adults who suffer from chronic illnesses. Some of the essential oils used in the studies evaluated include: lavender, orange, geranium, cinnamon, grapefruit, neroli, and ylang ylang.
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2022/1141411/