Vol. 28 No. 4 (2014):
Articles

Physiological effects of orange essential oil inhalation in humans

B.-J. Park
Department of Environment & Forest Resources, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea.
K. Ono
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. 1-1, Takashima 1-chome, Nishi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture 220-8686, Japan.
Y. Yoshinami
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. 1-1, Takashima 1-chome, Nishi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture 220-8686, Japan.
Y. Miyazaki
Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture 277-0882, Japan.

Published 2014-12-31

Keywords

  • Aroma therapy,
  • blood pressure,
  • horticulture therapy,
  • heart rate variability,
  • people-plant interaction

How to Cite

Park, B.-J., Ono, K., Yoshinami, Y., & Miyazaki, Y. (2014). Physiological effects of orange essential oil inhalation in humans. Advances in Horticultural Science, 28(4), 225–230. https://doi.org/10.36253/ahsc-18462

Abstract

This study was conducted to clarify the physiological and psychological effects of the odor of orange essential oil in humans. Thirteen healthy male university students (mean age 23.0±1.1 years) participated. The study was conducted in an artificial climate chamber with temperature 24°C, relative humidity 50%, and illumination 50 lux. The subjects randomly inhaled orange essential oil for 120 s. Fresh air inhalation was used as the control condition. Heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure, and pulse rate were continuously measured before (resting time) and during inhalation of the experimental odor. In addition, sensory evaluation and subjective odor intensity were evaluated after inhalation. The high frequency component of HRV was significantly higher, systolic and diastolic blood pressure was significantly lower, and the subjective “feeling of comfort” was significantly greater during inhalation of the orange essential oil than during inhalation of fresh air. These findings indicate that inhalation of orange essential oil effectively induces relaxation in humans.

References

  1. BURNETT K.M., SOLTERBECK L.A., STRAPP C.M., 2004 - Scent and mood state following an anxiety provoking task. - Psychological Reports, 95: 707-722. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.95.2.707-722
  2. CACIOPPO J.T., BERNTSON G.G., BINKLEY P.F., QUIGLEY K.S., UCHINO B.N., FIELDSTONE A., 1994 - Autonomic cardiac control II Noninvasive indices and basal response as revealed by autonomic blockades. - Psychophysiology, 31: 586-598. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8986.1994.tb02351.x
  3. CAWAN M.M., 1999 - Plant products as antimicrobial agents. - Clin. Microbiol. Rev., 12: 564-582. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.12.4.564
  4. DAVIES S., 1998 - Development of the profession of horticultural therapy, pp. 3-20. - In: SIMSON S.P., and M.C. STRAUS (eds.). Horticulture as therapy. Principles and practice. New York, Timber Press.
  5. DIEGO M.A., JONES N.A., FIELD T., HERNANDEZ-REIF M., SCHANBERG S., KUHN C., MCADAM V., GALAMAGA R., GALAMAGA M., 1998 - Aromatherapy positively affects mood, EEG patterns of alertness and math computations. - Int. J. Neurosci., 96: 217-224. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/00207459808986469
  6. HERZOG T.R., BLACK A.M., FOUNTAINE K.A., KNOTTS D.J., 1997 - Reflection and attentional recovery as distinctive benefits of restorative environments. - J. Environ. Psychol., 17: 165-170. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1006/jevp.1997.0051
  7. ILMBERGER J., HEUBERGER E., MAHRHOFER C., DESSOVIC H., KOWARIK D., BUCHBAUER G., 2001 - The influence of essential oils on human attention 1: Alertness. - Chem. Senses., 26: 239-245. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/chemse/26.3.239
  8. KAPLAN R., KAPLAN S., 1989 - The experience of nature. A psychological perspective. - Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, UK.
  9. LEE J., PARK B.J., TSUNETSUGU Y., KAGAWA T., MIYAZAKI Y., 2009 - The restorative effects of viewing real forest landscapes, based on a comparison with urban landscapes. - Scand. J. Forest. Res., 24: 227-234. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02827580902903341
  10. LEE J., PARK B.J., TSUNETSUGU Y., KAGAWA T., MIYAZAKI Y., 2011 - Effect of forest bathing on physiological and psychological responses in young Japanese male subjects. - Public Health, 125: 93-100. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2010.09.005
  11. LEHRNER J., ECKERSBERGER C., WALLA P., PÖTSCH G., DEECKE L., 2000 - Ambient odor of orange in a dental office reduces anxiety and improves mood in female patients. - Physiol. Behav., 71: 83-86. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9384(00)00308-5
  12. LEHRNER J., MARWINSKI G., LEHR S., JOHREN P., DEECKE L., 2005 - Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental office. - Physiol. Behav., 86: 92-95. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2005.06.031
  13. LOHR V.I., PEARSON-MIMS C.H., GOODWIN G.K., 1996 - Interior plants may improve worker productivity and reduce stress in a windowless environment. - J. Environ. Hort., 14: 97-100. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-14.2.97
  14. MOSS M., COOK J., WESNES K., DUCKETT P., 2003 - Aromas of rosemary and lavender essential oils differentially affect cognition and mood in healthy adults. - Int. J. Neurosci., 113: 15-38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00207450390161903
  15. MOTOMURA N., SAKURAI A., YOTSUYA Y., 2001 - Reduction of mental stress with lavender odorant. - Percept. Mot. Skills., 93: 713-718. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.2001.93.3.713
  16. PARK B.J., KASETANI T., TSUNETSUGU Y., KAGAWA T., MIYAZAKI Y., 2010 - The physiological effects of Shinrinyoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. - Environ. Health Prev. Med., 15: 18-26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-009-0086-9
  17. PARK B.J., TSUNETSUGU Y., ISHII H., FURUHASHI S., HIRANO H., KAGAWA T., MIYAZAKI Y., 2008 - Physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the atmosphere of the forest) in a mixed forest in Shinano Town, Japan. - Scand. J. Forest. Res., 23: 278-283. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02827580802055978
  18. PARK B.J., TSUNETSUGU Y., KASETANI T., HIRANO H., KAGAWA T., SATO M., MIYAZAKI Y., 2007 - Physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the atmosphere of the forest) - using salivary cortisol and cerebral activity as indicators. - J. Physiol. Anthropol., 26: 123-128. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2114/jpa2.26.123
  19. PARK B.J., TSUNETSUGU Y., KASETANI T., MORIKAWA T., KAGAWA T., MIYAZAKI Y., 2009 - Physiological effects of forest recreation in a young conifer forest in Hinokage Town, Japan. - Silva Fennica, 43: 291-301. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.213
  20. RAUDENBUSH B., CORLEY N., EPPICH W., 2001 - Enhancing athletic performance through administration of peppermint odor. - J. Sport. Exerc., 23: 156-160. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.23.2.156
  21. RAUDENBUSH B., MEYER B., EPPICH B., 2002 - The effects of odors on objective and subjective measures of athletic performance. - Int. Sport. J. Winter, pp. 14-27.
  22. RELF D., 1992 - Conducting research and putting it into action, pp. 193-206. - In: RELF D. (ed.) The role of horticulture in human well-being and social development. Timber Press. Portland, Oregon, USA.
  23. RELF D., LOHR V., 2003 - Human issues in horticulture. - Hort. Science, 38: 984-993. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.38.5.984
  24. SANDERSON H., RUDDLE J., 1992 - Aromatherapy and occupational therapy. - Br. J. Occup. Ther., 55: 310-314. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/030802269205500807
  25. SEMPIK J., ALDRIDGE J., BECKER S., 2003 - Social and therapeutic horticulture: evidence and messages from research. - CCFR, Loughborough University.
  26. TASK FORCE OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY AND THE NORTH AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PACING AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, 1996 - Heart rate variability: standards of measurement, physiological interpretation and clinical use. - Circulation, 93: 1043-1065.
  27. TENNESSEN C.M., CIMPRICH B., 1995 - Views to nature: effects on attention. - J. Environ. Psychol., 15: 77-85. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-4944(95)90016-0
  28. TISSERAND R., 1988 - Essential oils as psychotherapeutic agents, pp. 167-182. - In: VAN TOLLER S., and G.H. DODD (eds.) Perfumery: the biology and psychology of fragrance. Chapman and Hall, London, UK. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2558-3_9
  29. TSUNETSUGU Y., PARK B.J., ISHII H., HIRANO H., KAGAWA T., MIYAZAKI Y., 2007 - Physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the atmosphere of the forest) in an oldgrowth broadleaf forest in Yamagata prefecture, Japan. - J. Physiol. Anthropol., 26: 135-142. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2114/jpa2.26.135
  30. TSUNETSUGU Y., PARK B.J., MIYAZAKI Y., 2010 - Trends in research related to “Shinrin-yoku” (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing) in Japan. - Environ. Health Prev. Med., 15: 27-37. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-009-0091-z
  31. WEISE F., HEYDENREICH F., 1989 - Effects of modified respiratory rhythm on heart rate variability during active orthostatic load. - Biomed. Biochim. Acta, 48: 549-556.
  32. WELLS N.M., 2000 - At home with nature effects of “greenness” on children’s cognitive functioning. - Environ. Behav., 32: 775-795. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00139160021972793