Effects of lavender inhalation on the excitability of spinal motor neurons

Abstract

The effects of inhalation of various concentrations of lavender oil on the excitability of spinal motor neurons were studied by F-wave analysis. Excitability was significantly suppressed after 10 min of inhalation of the 10% concentration. To clarify the underlying mechanism, effects on the autonomic nervous system were studied by analysis of mean heart rate and its variability, by F-waves, after 5 min of 10% concentration inhalation. Heart rate variability results suggest that lavender essential oil influences spinal motor neurons via effects on parasympathetic nerves.