Anxiolytic-Like Effect of Cymbopogon Citratus (Lemongrass) Essential Oil

Introduction: Essential oils are complex substances that are widely utilized in the practices of aromatherapy. Certain essential oils are recognized for their potential to alleviate anxiety symptoms. This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil on anxiety. Methods: The chemical composition of the extracted essential oil was analyzed using Gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection (GC-FID) and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In addition, an experimental study with measures at pretest-posttest was conducted, where 128 participants were divided into two groups, a waiting-list (WL) control group, and an experimental group (EG)treated with aromatherapy based on Cymbopogon citratus essential oil. The anxiety index was evaluated by Zung Self- Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Results: The chemical analysis identified geranial (52,1%) and neral (35,2%) as the principal constituents. Anxiety levels decreased in the experimental group during the posttest phase (p<0.05). Besides a large effect size was found for anxiety (d = 0.962; Δ= 0.988) with 1-β=0.999 a percentage of change of -10.99%. Conclusion: Cymbopogon citratus essential oil inhalation showed to be effective in decreasing scores anxiety. Therefore, it has the potential to serve as a supplementary treatment for anxiety

Effect of Rosmarinus Officinalis Essential Oil On Anxiety, Depression, And Sleep Quality

Introduction: The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil on anxiety, depression, and sleep quality. Methods: The essential oils were extracted by hydro-distillation using a modified Clevenger-type apparatus and the chemical composition was performed by Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Furthermore, a quasi-experimental study was conducted, where 81 participants were divided into two groups, comprising a waiting list control group and an experimental group treated with essential oils. Anxiety and depression indexes were evaluated using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and sleep quality was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory (PSQI). Results: Chemical analysis showed that 1,8 cineole (37.6%), α-pinene (19.9%), and linalool (15.8%) were the main components. Anxiety, depression, and sleep quality scores showed a decrease in the post-test study phase compared to the pre-test in the experimental group (p<0.05). A large size effect was found in the case of anxiety (d = 1.491; g= 1.490) with 1-β=0.996, while medium size effects were observed for depression (d = 0.581; g= 0.582) with 1-β=0.585; and sleep quality (d = 0.586; g = 0.588) with 1-β=0.638. Conclusion: Essential oils extracted from Rosmarinus officinalis are more effective in calming anxiety and show moderate changes in depression and sleep quality

Efecto del aceite esencial de Cymbopogon citratus (dc.) Stapf hierba luisa en los niveles de ansiedad de estudiantes de educación secundaria

El objetivo de la investigación fue evaluar el efecto del aceite esencial de Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf “hierba luisa” en los niveles de ansiedad de estudiantes del quinto grado de educación secundaria de una institución educativa pública. Se realizó un estudio cuasiexperimental, pretest y postest, con una muestra de 54 alumnos, divididos en un grupo experimental tratado con aromaterapia del aceite esencial estudiado, vía inhalatoria, y un grupo control, al cual no se le aplicó ningún estímulo. Los niveles de ansiedad fueron evaluados mediante el inventario de ansiedad estado y ansiedad rasgo STAI. Los niveles de ansiedad disminuyeron después de la intervención, encontrándose en los resultados significancia estadística (p < 0,005). Las puntuaciones D de Cohen fueron superiores a 1,0 indicando cambios significativos en la variable ansiedad. Además se obtuvo un porcentaje de cambio de 25,01% para ansiedad estado y 20,34% para ansiedad rasgo. Todo esto indica que la aromaterapia a base del aceite esencial de hierba luisa puede ser considerada una alternativa promisoria para disminuir los niveles de ansiedad

Anxiolytic-like Effect of Luma chequen Essential Oil: A Pilot Study

Introduction: Essential oils are complex substances used widely extended in the form of aromatherapy or phytotherapy, some of them as agents to relieve anxiety and stress. In this sense this study was conducted to examine the anxiolytic-like effect of Luma chequen essential oil. Methods: The essential oil was extracted by steam distillation and the chemical composition was investigated by Gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection (GC-FID) and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Moreover, a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted, where 48 participants were divided into two groups, comprising a control group (CG) treated with placebo, and an experimental group (EG) treated with aromatherapy based on Luma chequen essential oil. The anxiety index was evaluated by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Measures were taken at two times: pretest and posttest. Results: The chemical analysis showed that α-pinene was the main component (56.5%). State and Trait anxiety scores showed a decrease in posttest study phase in comparison with pretest in experimental group compared to placebo (p<0.005 for state anxiety and p<0.05 for trait anxiety). Cohen`s d score was 0.84 in State anxiety, while it was 0.52 for Trait anxiety. Percentages of change showed reductions of anxiety variable ranging between 14.94% for State anxiety and 13.60% for Trait anxiety. Conclusions: These results suggest that aromatherapy based on essential oil of Luma chequen was moderately effective in improving anxiety