Exploring adult mental health management through aromatherapy complementary treatment

Aromatherapy utilizing essential oils from plants for spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being raises questions about its valid impact on mental relaxation. This review aims to clarify the influence of inhalation aromatherapy on stress, depression, and anxiety in institutional and workplace settings. Through an extensive search across various databases, 435 studies were identified, of which 45 met the criteria between 2017 and 2024. Predominantly conducted in institution centres with university students and health centres with nurses. Lavender being the most frequently used aroma. Evaluation criteria encompassed behavioral, psychological, and physiological measures, including heart rate variability, blood pressure, salivary cortisol, electroencephalography, and other hemodynamic status. Varied effects emerged, with essential oils showing the potential to reduce or have no impact on mental stress. Despite limitations in existing studies, such as narrow participant selection and imprecise reporting, aromatherapy demonstrated the potential to minimize stress, depression, and anxiety. The review emphasizes the need for future studies to delve deeper into understanding aromatherapy's effectiveness in mental management, addressing existing limitations, and broadening the scope of participant selection.