Essential Oil of Lavender Inhibited the Decreased Attention during a Long-Term Task in Humans

Kuniyoshi SHIMIZU; Mayumi GYOKUSEN; Shingo KITAMURA; Takahiro KAWABE; Tomoaki KOZAKI; Keita ISHIBASHI; Ryusuke IZUMI; Wataru MIZUNOYA; Koichiro OHNUKI; Ryuichiro KONDO

doi:10.1271/bbb.70835

Food & Nutrition Science Notes

Essential Oil of Lavender Inhibited the Decreased Attention during a Long-Term Task in Humans

Kuniyoshi SHIMIZU, Mayumi GYOKUSEN, Shingo KITAMURA, Takahiro KAWABE, Tomoaki KOZAKI, Keita ISHIBASHI, Ryusuke IZUMI, Wataru MIZUNOYA, Koichiro OHNUKI, Ryuichiro KONDO

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Keywords: natural volatile, attention, vigilance, Lavendula angustifolia (lavender), essential oil

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2008 Volume 72 Issue 7 Pages 1944-1947

DOI https://doi.org/10.1271/bbb.70835

View "Advance Publication" version (July 7, 2008).

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Abstract

This study examined the effects of odors on sustained attention during a vigilance task. Two essential oils (lavender and eucalyptus) and two materials (l-menthol and linalyl acetate) were compared with a control. The increase in reaction time was significantly lower with lavender than with the control. The results suggest that the administration of lavender helped to maintain sustained attention during the long-term task.

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