Stress-reducing Activity of Aroma

(Research Paper,The 31st Symposium 31st Symposium on Life Information Science)

Abstract

Chromogranin A (CgA) levels and the EEG α waves (α waves)were employed as sensitive and substantial stress indices to determine the stress reduction activity of an aroma produced using different amounts of lavender essential oil. CgA levels, an index of psychosomatic stress, showed a stress reduction after a rest following the aroma aspiration from an aroma bag containing a low amount (3 μL) of lavender essential oil compared with control (non-additive), medium (6 μL)and high (12 μL) amounts of the oil. On the other hand, the α waves on the occipital area became larger with the low amount of lavender oil during successive aspiration of the aroma and resting after the aspiration compared with the other amounts of lavender oil. These data suggest that aroma aspiration of a low amount (3 υL)of lavender oil provides a stress reduction.