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© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Chemical compounds from plants have been used as a medicinal source for various diseases. Aromachology is a unique field that studies the olfactory effects after inhaling aromatic compounds. Aromatherapy is a complementary treatment methodology involving the use of essential oils containing phytoncides and other volatile organic compounds for various physical and mental illnesses. Phytoncides possess an inherent medicinal property. Their health benefits range from treating stress, immunosuppression, blood pressure, respiratory diseases, anxiety, and pain to anti-microbial, anti-larvicidal, anti-septic, anti-cancer effects, etc. Recent advancements in aromatherapy include forest bathing or forest therapy. The inhalation of phytoncide-rich forest air has been proven to reduce stress-induced immunosuppression, normalize immune function and neuroendocrine hormone levels, and, thus, restore physiological and psychological health. The intricate mechanisms related to how aroma converts into olfactory signals and how the olfactory signals relieve physical and mental illness still pose enormous questions and are the subject of ongoing research. Aromatherapy using the aroma of essential oils/phytoncides could be more innovative and attractive to patients. Moreover, with fewer side effects, this field might be recognized as a new field of complementary medicine in alleviating some forms of physical and mental distress. Essential oils are important assets in aromatherapy, cosmetics, and food preservatives. The use of essential oils as an aromatherapeutic agent is widespread. Detailed reports on the effects of EOs in aromatherapy and their pharmacological effects are required to uncover its complete biological mechanism. This review is about the evolution of research related to phytoncides containing EOs in treating various ailments and provides comprehensive details from complementary medicine.

Details

Title
Essential Oils, Phytoncides, Aromachology, and Aromatherapy—A Review
Author
Subramanian Thangaleela 1 ; Bhagavathi Sundaram Sivamaruthi 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Kesika, Periyanaina 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Muruganantham Bharathi 1 ; Kunaviktikul, Wipada 3 ; Klunklin, Areewan 3 ; Chanthapoon, Chatnithit 4 ; Chaiyasut, Chaiyavat 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Innovation Center for Holistic Health, Nutraceuticals, and Cosmeceuticals, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; [email protected] (S.T.); [email protected] (M.B.) 
 Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; [email protected] 
 School of Nursing, Panyapiwat Institute of Management, 85/1 Moo 2 Chaengwattana Road, Bang-Talat, Pakkred, Nonthaburi 11120, Thailand; [email protected] (W.K.); [email protected] (A.K.) 
 Research and Development Unit, Chernara Co., Ltd., Chiang Rai 57170, Thailand; [email protected] 
First page
4495
Publication year
2022
Publication date
2022
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20763417
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2662962843
Copyright
© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.