Insights & Discussion
Certain essential oils such as lavender, neroli, jasmine, roman chamomile, clary sage, and Indian sandalwood can potentially increase oxytocin concentrations in postmenopausal women.
In this study, fifteen postmenopausal women were subjected to the effects of ten different essential oils one at a time. The oils exposed to included rose otto, sweet orange, lavender, neroli, frankincense, jasmine absolute, ylang ylang, roman chamomile, clary sage, and Indian sandalwood. Initially, they were exposed to a control for 20 minutes, followed by exposure to an essential oil for 20 minutes. Each woman was exposed to only a single kind of essential oil per day. Saliva was collected immediately before and after both control exposure and essential oil exposure. The oxytocin levels in the saliva were then measured.
The findings revealed an increase in salivary oxytocin concentrations following exposure to six out of the ten essential oils. Specifically, lavender, neroli, jasmine absolute, roman chamomile, clary sage, and Indian sandalwood were associated with a significant increase in salivary oxytocin when compared to the control odor. This study implies that olfaction stimulation with the listed essential oils might help counter the reduction of muscle mass and function caused by aging in women.
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Long-term consumption of green tea can potentially lessen the risk of depression in postmenopausal women by decreasing inflammation and boosting estradiol levels.
2023 Nutrients Long-Term Consumption of Green Tea Can Reduce the Degree of Depression in Postmenopausal Women by Increasing Estradiol Wan Z, Qin X, Tian Y, Ouyang F, Wang G, Wan Q
Cohort Study Anti-Inflammatory Depression Green Tea
In the study, researchers performed an analysis on a tea-producing village, incorporating 386 postmenopausal women in the investigation, who participated either as green tea consumers or non-drinkers (control group). The level of estradiol, inflammation markers, sleep quality, and depression symptoms were measured to uncover any correlations.
The results reflected significant disparities between the tea-drinking and control groups in terms of depression and insomnia levels, BMI, inflammation levels, and estradiol quantities. By appraising these outcomes, it was found that green tea intake could quell the likelihood of depression via its impact on sleep, inflammation, and estradiol levels. The risk of depression was consequently seen as reduced among postmenopausal women engaging in regular consumption of green tea.
Oxytocin massage using lavender aromatherapy oil can significantly boost breast milk production in postpartum mothers.
2022 Babali Nursing Research Midwifery Complementary Treatment with The Application of Oxytocin Massage Using Lavender Aromatherapy Oil on Breast Milk Production in Postpartum Mothers Widiastuti NMR, Arini KN, Yuniati MG
Randomised Controlled Trial Oxytocin Postpartum Care
In this study, a quasi-experimental design was employed which involved pre-testing and post-testing with a control group. The participant mothers were divided into two groups. The intervention group received oxytocin massages using lavender aromatherapy oil, beginning on the second postpartum day. Contrarily, the control group got breastfeeding assistance without the massage intervention. In both groups, breast milk production was evaluated on the sixth day through the usage of a breast pump.
The collected results indicated a notable effect of oxytocin massage with the application of lavender aromatherapy oil on maternal milk production. It was hence surmised that this combined approach could effectively enhance breast milk production in women after giving birth.
The combined use of chamomile and saffron with usual medication enhances the efficacy against depression and ensures long term improvement.
2022 Heliyon A randomized clinical trial to test efficacy of chamomile and saffron for neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory responses in depressive patients Ahmad S, Azhar A, Tikmani P, Rafique H, Khan A, Mesiya H, et al.
Randomised Controlled Trial Anti-Inflammatory Chamomile Neuroprotective
This research was a randomized, open, blinded trial with 120 participants split evenly into a test and control group. After consent was obtained, a patient health questionnaire was filled out to determine depression scores. Participants in the test group received herbal tea sachets, containing 20 mg of chamomile and 1 mg of saffron, twice per day for a month in addition to their regular medications. Control group participants only received their standard allopathic medicine. Blood samples were taken both before and after the treatment period.
The test showed significant improvement in depressive symptoms for both groups. However, in the test group, the addition of the herbal teas amplified the effect of the medications. The herbal adjuvant therapy reduced inflammatory markers and tryptophan levels in plasma, which increased the availability of tryptophan in the brain, a key aspect in managing depression. Consequently, the research concluded that inclusion of these herbs enhances the effectiveness of the conventional treatment against depression and provides long term benefits.
Chamomile sachets could be a viable alternate treatment for primary dysmenorrhea, as they've shown similar effects to mefenamic acid in reducing pain and bleeding.
2022 The Open Public Health Journal Comparing the Effect of Chamomile and Mefenamic Acid on Primary Dysmenorrhea Symptoms and Menstrual Bleeding: A Randomized Clinical Trial Shabani F, Narenji F, Vakilian K, Zareian MA, Bozorgi M, Bioos S, et al.
Randomised Controlled Trial Chamomile Mefenamic Acid Period Pain
In the methodology of this study, the researchers took 200 female students diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea and divided them randomly into two groups. One group was given mefenamic acid and the other group was administered chamomile. The intensity of pain, related symptoms, and bleeding were assessed using various measurement scales.
Evaluating the results, both chamomile and mefenamic acid made a noticeable impact in decreasing the intensity of pain and bleeding. However, it was found that chamomile displayed a greater effectiveness in reducing the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea, presenting it as a promising substitute treatment avenue.
Inhalation aromatherapy using lavender and chamomile essential oils effectively reduces depression, anxiety, and stress levels in community-dwelling older adults.
2022 Explore: The Journal of Science & Healing The effects of Lavender and Chamomile essential oil inhalation aromatherapy on depression, anxiety and stress in older community-dwelling people: A randomized controlled trial Ebrahimi H, Mardani A, Basirinezhad MH, Hamidzadeh A, Eskandari F
Randomised Controlled Trial Anxiety Chamomile Depression
From a methodological perspective, the researchers adopted a three-armed, parallel, randomized, and controlled trial design. A total of 183 participants were enrolled in the study and were randomly divided into three groups: lavender, chamomile, and control group with equal numbers in each. The individuals in the experimental groups were given three drops of 1.5% lavender and chamomile essential oils to inhale for 30 consecutive nights, while the control group inhaled distilled water in the same manner. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress-Scale (DASS) was utilized to collect data both prior to the intervention, directly following the intervention, and a month after the treatment.
In terms of the results gathered, there was significant improvement in the depression, anxiety, and stress levels of individuals in the lavender and chamomile groups both immediately and one month after the treatment compared to the control group. This indicates that inhalation aromatherapy utilizing lavender and chamomile essential oils can be efficacious in reducing mental health issues among older adults residing in the community.
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