The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of olfactory and tactile stimuli of aromatherapy on the quality of sleep. Ten males (mean age 23.1±5.6 years) and nine females (mean age 24.6±2.8 years) participated in two experiments. Experiment 1: The body movement during sleep was calculated under four conditions [non-odor environment (N), odor environment with two patterns (OdA, OdB), and post-aromatherapy (T)]. Each condition was monitored over four consecutive days. The sleep status survey was conducted using the OSA (Oguri-Shirakawa-Azumi sleep inventory) sleep feeling questionnaire each morning during the experiment. Experiment 2: Measurements of heart rate variability (HRV) and changes in mood as rated on a visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after aromatherapy or during odor inhalation in the laboratory was tested. The high frequency (HF) components and the ratio of low frequency (LF) to HF (LF/HF) components of HRV were used to quantify the modulation of the parasympathetic and sympathetic activity of the autonomic nervous system. Prior to these, the degree of anxiety in STAI(State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form JYZ) and the quality of sleep was measured in the subjects using the Pittsburgh sleep questionnaire. Bergamot FCF (Citrus bergamia FCF) oil was used for inhalation and for topical aromatherapy on both the upper limbs of the subject on the third day of T. Bergamot FCF oil used in the treatment was diluted to 1% with macadamia nut oil. As a result, we noted a significant correlation between the results of the Pittsburgh sleep questionnaire and TAI(Trait Anxiety Inventory) (r=0.514, p<0.02). In people with high TAI(Trait Anxiety Inventory), we observed a lack of quality sleep. While evaluating the change in mood with VAS, we noted a significant (p<0.05) decrease in overall fatigue, mental fatigue, physical fatigue, self-conscious stress, mental strain, and irritation after treatment. In contrast, we observed a significant (p<0.05) increase in sleep attainment, relaxation, invigoration, and a sense of fulfilment of energy. However, after odor exposure, a decrease in only the overall fatigue and physical fatigue were significant (p<0.05). Although significant changes were not observed in autonomic nervous activity after odor exposure and treatments, there were decreased levels of fatigue and tension after odor exposure and treatment. Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed in the rate of change of these and LF/HF; we speculate that the decrease in fatigue and tension was due to the effect of treatment on sympathetic nerve activity. A significant correlation between the changes of LF/HF and the TAI (r=−0.796) or SAI (All: r=−0.539; Female: r=−0.939) was observed. These findings suggest that the use of aromatherapy while sleeping will help decrease anxiety and improve the quality of sleep, particularly in those with high anxiety.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of aromatherapy in alleviating toothache associated with orthodontic treatment. Forty-eight patients (19 men and 29 women; mean age, 26 years 5 months) undergoing tooth separation of the mesiodistal left and right first molars of the upper jaw in orthodontic treatment were categorized by the method of minimization for allocation to clinical trials into three groups: the lavender, peppermint, and placebo (purified water) groups. The three groups received aromatherapy 48 h after the initiation of the tooth separation procedure. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess spontaneous pain at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after the initiation of tooth separation and 30 min and 1 h after beginning aromatherapy. Percussion pain was assessed with VAS 0 h and 48 h after the initiation of tooth separation and 30 min and 1 h after beginning aromatherapy. In addition, the amount of oxidized/reduced hemoglobin in the blood was observed during 1 h of aromatherapy by performing near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Aromatherapy was preceded and followed by a survey of the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Assessment with VAS and NIRS showed a toothache-alleviating effect that lasted for the first 30 min in the lavender group; the peppermint group showed a longer and more intense effect than the lavender group. Comparison of the rate of change between the groups with analysis of variance did not show a significant difference. Assessment with POMS showed a decrease in all items after inhalation. These results suggest that aromatherapy inhalation has an effect on alleviating toothache during tooth separation.

In this study, phototoxic furocoumarins were detected in various essential oils to provide aromatherapy-related safety information. p-Chlolorobenzophenone was employed as an internal standard in a selected ion monitoring mode for the detection of phototoxic compounds using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). To ensure the precise detection and determination of certain phototoxic compounds, including psoralen, xanthotoxin, bergapten, and isopimpinellin, as well as a non-phototoxic coumarin, aurapten, in the same GC-MS analysis, nine mass ions were selected. Among a total of 116 kinds of commercially available essential oil products, furocoumarins were detected in four Apiaceae and nine Rutaceae oils. Aurapten, on the other hand, was detected in six Rutaceae oils.

The purpose of the present study was to clarify the social background of the acceptance and expansion of Japanese aromatherapy in the changing economic situation and living environment in modern Japan. Thus, the authors surveyed the changes related to “aroma-culture.” The authors used the phrase “aroma-culture” to refer to the indoor usage of aroma to create a pleasant environment. In this research, the authors considered the changes related to “aroma-culture” from the Meiji period to the early 1980s, while paying attention to the social conditions related to hygiene, pollution, home electric appliances, dwelling, and the sewage system. The study of aroma products may reveal this culture to be influenced by the sanitary conditions, the dwelling environment, and the trend of admiration of nature as a criticism against modernism.

The purpose of the present study was to clarify the social background of the acceptance and expansion of Japanese aromatherapy in the economic situation and living environment from the Meiji period to 2000. Here, the authors surveyed the change of “aroma-culture.” The authors used the phrase “aroma-culture” to refer to the indoor usages of aroma to create pleasant environment. In this research, the authors investigated verbal expressions in newspaper accounts from 1980 to 2000, to study the acceptance and expansion of Japanese aromatherapy promoted by education, publication, marketing, and the tide of popular opinion. Accordingly, the significance of aromatherapy was determined to be characterized by the consumers' expectations for healing.

The purpose of the present study was to clarify the social background of the acceptance and expansion of Japanese aromatherapy in the changing economic situation and living environment in modern Japan. Thus, the authors surveyed the changes related to “aroma-culture.” The authors used the phrase “aroma-culture” to refer to the indoor usage of aroma to create pleasant environment. In this research, the authors extracted the words related to aroma-culture from newspaper accounts (Nihon Keizai Shimbun) from 1975 to 2000, and analyzed the changes in the frequency of the words.