Aromatherapy is increasingly gaining recognition by the medical research community as a valid complementary solution for combatting anxiety and central nervous system overstimulation. In a recent study conducted by the Korean academy of nursing (Cha et al, 2010), Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) and Cananga odorata (ylang ylang) essential oils, when inhaled, were found to have a statistically significant response on lowering systolic blood pressure and sympathetic nerve system activity, hence having an effect of lowering overall physiological feelings of anxiety, panic, and nervous tension. Additionally, another Korean scientific study concluded that the inhalation of Citrus aurantium subsp. bergamia (bergamot), lavender, and ylang ylang essential oils on a daily basis reduced clinical subject’s “blood pressure, pulse, subjective stress, state (of) anxiety, and serum cortisol levels” (Hwang, 2006).
Nardostachys Jatamansi (spikenard), an herb renowned in Ayurvedic medicine, also has profound calming and sedating properties (Lyle et al, 2009), making it an excellent choice for stress-related disorders and insomnia (Schnaubelt, 1995). Chamomile has a very long history of use in herbalism, particularly in Western Europe, for its anti-inflammatory, carminative, aka digestion-promoting, (Tisserand, 1977), anti-spasmodic, sedating, (Schnaubelt, 1995) and relaxing properties. There are a whole host of tinctures, salves, teas, essential oils and bodycare products containing chamomile, typically Matricaria recutita, otherwise known as German chamomile, available on the German market.
All of the above outlined herbs, and their subsequent essential oils, have been scientifically suggested to be effective in treating symptoms of anxiety and stress-related insomnia. One of the primary tenets of aromatherapy relies on the art of synergistic blending. Synergistic blending is defined as when “essential oils are blended, the formula may have an enhanced character that cannot be explained by the properties of the individual parts,” (Harrison, 2008), meaning that when multiple essential oils that have similar chemical, and therefore, physical properties are combined then the sum is greater than its parts. Combining the essential oils of spikenard, citrus oils from the bitter orange tree, lavender, chamomile, and ylang ylang can then be reasoned to potentially exert a greater sedating and calming effect then if they were used singularly.
Here at Momoko Therapeutics we strive to create products that are innovatively effective. Our newest addition to our line of aromatherapeutic treatment oils is Serenity. Serenity is a blend of the previously mentioned highly anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing), sedating, and calming essential oils, with the addition of a beautiful vanilla absolute, in a base of organic jojoba oil. The treatment oil is packaged in a convenient glass roll-on perfume bottle. It has a gorgeous floral scent undertoned with base notes of the most delicious warm vanilla, making it multi-purpose as it can be used as perfume oil, as well as a tool to help relieve overwhelming feelings of anxiety and insomnia.
Serenity Treatment Oil joins our Calm Aromatherapy Inhaler which was also designed to be a convenient and direct means to treat anxiety and panic.
Works Cited:
Cha JH, Lee SH, Yoo YS. 2010. Effects of Aromatherapy on Changes in the Autonomic Nervous system, Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity and Aortic Augmentation Index in Patients with Essential Hypertension. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 40(5):705-13.
Hwang, JH. 2006. The Effects of the Inhalation Method using Essential Oils on Blood Pressure and Stress Responses of Clients with Essential Hypertension. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi.36(7):1123-34.
Schnaubelt, Kurt. 1995. Advanced Aromatherapy. Rochester: Healing Arts Press.
Harrison, Jimm. 2008. Aromatherapy: Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils for Esthetics. Clifton Park: Milady.
Lyle, N., Bhattacharyya, D., Sur, TK., Paul, S., Chatterjee, S., and Gomes, A. 2009. Stress Modulating Antioxidant Effect of Nardostachys jatamansi. Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 46(1):93-8.
Tisserand, Robert, B. 1977. The Art of Aromatherapy. New York: Destiny Books