Health First Research

As a chiropractor, I am dedicated to a natural, drug-free approach to health and wellness. There are many holistic therapies that compliment chiropractic care. One of them is aromatherapy, which I frequently recommend. Though aromatherapy is popular today, people have been inhaling the scent of certain plants to help reduce stress, fight inflammation and depression, and induce sleep since ancient times. But a new study always gives the practice a boost, so I was pleased to read about a new study in the ACS’ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry validating the efficacy of aromatherapy. Scientists in Japan are reporting the first scientific evidence that inhaling certain fragrances actually alters gene activity and blood chemistry in ways that can reduce stress levels.

The scientists exposed lab rats to stressful conditions while inhaling and not inhaling linalool, extracted from natural essential oils. Linalool returned stress-elevated levels of neutrophils and lymphocytes – key parts of the immune system – to near-normal levels. Inhaling linalool also reduced the activity of more than 100 genes that go into overdrive in stressful situations. The findings could form the basis of new blood tests for identifying fragrances that can soothe stress, the researchers say.

Linalool has been the subject of numerous studies investigating its anxiolytic (anti-stress) effects. Lavender is the most popular linaloo-containing oil, though it is found in many plant species.

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