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Using aromatherapy in the clinical setting: Making sense of scents

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By: Juli Reynolds, BSN, RN; Betsy Parker, RN; Nancy Wells, DNSc, RN, FAAN; Elizabeth Card, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CPAN, CCRP

This study investigated the use of aromatherapy in the workplace to reduce nurse stress.

Takeaways:

  • Essential oil (aromatherapy) uses “naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize, and promote the health of body and mind.”
  • Aromatherapyhas gained popularity as a safe and cost-effective complementary therapy to alter mood and physical symptoms.
  • Two nurse-driven aromatherapy studies indicated decreased staff perception of stress and increased mood. Patients experienced decreased agitation.

aromatherapy clinical settingAromatherapy is an age-old therapy designed to alter mood and physical symptoms. It has gained popularity as a safe and cost-effective complementary and alternative therapy. As the evidence of aromatherapy’s effectiveness has grown, nurses have increased the use of essential oils to manage their own stress as well as their patients’ stress and anxiety.

This article describes the basics of aromatherapy and two institutional review board–approved studies to build on the evidence of the positive benefits of essential oils for both nurses who work in clinical settings and their patients.

Essential oils primer

According to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, essential oil therapy (aromatherapy) is “the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize, and promote the health of body and mind.” Essential oils are volatile, aromatic compounds found in various parts of plants, including stems, leaves, roots, and seeds. Thousands of essential oils have been identified; each is unique and contains hundreds of chemical components. Selecting the appropriate oil depends on the desired therapeutic effect; their versatility allows for options based on preference and application. All therapeutic-grade oils meet criteria that include indigenous sourcing for potency and stringent purity testing.

Essential oils can be used internally, topically, or aromatically. For the purpose of our studies, we chose an aromatic model—scent dispersed into the air via a diffuser. Through our sense of smell, essential oils affect our physiology, emotions, and behavior by stimulating hormones and neurotransmitters. Aromatic use is highly effective and can be applied to any of the essential oils in moderation. Previously, scientists had underestimated the influence aroma can have on health. Recent research supports the beneficial effect essential oils have on physical symptoms as well as emotional states. (See Recent research.)

Recent research

Here’s a sampling of essential oils and their effects on common symptoms. Respondents rated the essential oil on a 0-to-10 scale.

  • Sweet marjoram reduced pain by 3 points (27% reduction)
  • Ginger reduced nausea by 2 points (18% reduction)
  • Lavender and marjoram reduced anxiety by 2 points (18% reduction)

Source: Johnson et al. 2016

Because essential oils are produced from plants, they’re grouped into classes based on plant type. Plants from the same class produce similar responses. (See Classifying essential oils.)At the root of these similarities is the chemistry of the essential oils, which can be used to determine what oils to use for a specific effect.

Classifying essential oils

Essential oils are grouped into classes based on plant type. Oils within each class have similar effects.

 Essential oil class  Primary effect  Example oils
 Mints Energizing    Spearmint, wintergreen
Citrus  Uplifting  Tangerine, lemon 
Spices  Warming, grounding, soothing  Myrrh, clary sage, clove 
 Herbs and grasses Warming, energizing, renewing  Spikenard, thyme, rosemary 
 Trees Grounding, soothing  Eucalyptus, cedarwood, cypress 
 Florals Calming  Lavender, geranium, ylang ylang 

Study rationale

The evidence suggests that people can use scents that consistently produce specific responses to improve emotional and/or physical well-being. Our research question was: Does diffusing essential oils that promote relaxation and balance affect the nursing staff’s stress level? Limited evidence exists on the influence of nurse stress on patient stress, so we took the opportunity to explore the possible impact of nurse stress on patient stress as indicated by changes in blood pressure and use of sedatives to reduce anxiety and agitation.

Perioperative project

Using an electronic survey, we obtained participating nurses’ stress levels before, during, and after diffusing essential oils in the main preoperative holding room at an urban level-one academic medical center. Stress was measured with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), a 10-item scale with a 5-point Likert response format. The PSS is a valid and reliable measurement tool. Thirty-three nurses completed the presurvey in the 2 weeks before the intervention was started. Nebulizing diffusers were then placed at the nurses’ station for aromatherapy over the next 4 weeks. All essential oils used were citrus based and single oil (no blends). Scents included lime, wild orange, grapefruit, tangerine, and lemon. The purity and quality of the oils was determined using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. All oils were indigenously sourced from a single harvest.During the 4 weeks, 37 nurses completed the PSS.

The diffusers were then removed, and over the next 4 weeks, 11 participants completed the PSS. Analysis revealed a statistically significant reduction in perceived stress levels from baseline to during and after aromatherapy (P< .001) in the holding room staff. (See Perioperative project: Nurse-perceived stress.) Of equal importance, no adverse events were reported by staff, patients, or families when the diffusers were placed in a common area of the perioperative holding room.

Perioperative project: Nurse-perceived stress

This figure illustrates nurses’ perceived stress before and after aromatherapy intervention.

 aromatherapy clinical setting figure 1

Palliative care project

In our second study, we examined the impact of aromatherapy on staff stress and anxiety in a palliative care environment, where nurses care for patients with serious life-threatening diseases and difficult-to-manage symptoms. In addition, we explored the impact that staff stress might have on patient stress.

Four weeks before essential oil diffusion, 28 nurses completed an anonymous, electronic stress and mood questionnaire. We selected a blend of wood, frankincense, blue tansy, blue chamomile, and spruce, all of which are known for their grounding and balancing qualities. Oil purity and quality were determined using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. All oils were indigenously sourced from a single harvest.

The essential oil was continuously diffused for 4 weeks in nursing stations located in the unit hallway. At the end of the 4 weeks, we sent an electronic postintervention questionnaire. The staff reported an increase in positive mood, a decrease in stress, and an improvement in feeling “more grounded.” (See Palliative project: Nurse-perceived stress.)

Palliative project: Nurse-perceived stress

This figure illustrates nurses’ perceptions of mood and stress before and after aromatherapy intervention.

This information led us to ask whether the nurses’ reduced stress would impact the patients in their care. We selected several patient outcomes that would reflect patient stress and anxiety, including blood pressure variability, Richmond Agitation–Sedation Scale (RASS) scores, haloperidol administration for agitation, and lorazepam administration for anxiety. Patient data from electronic health records (EHR) were evaluated for 3 months—before, during, and after the intervention. We found significantly less blood pressure variability during and after the intervention. We interpret this as an overall lower stress level in the patients admitted to palliative care during and after aromatherapy diffusion in the nurses’ work areas. We also saw a decrease in RASS scores and haloperidol administration, suggesting a positive effect of decreased patient stress. Little change in lorazepam administration occurred during the study. (See Patient stress and anxiety.)

Patient stress and anxiety

Richmond Agitation–Sedation Scale (RASS) scores and medication administration were used to measure palliative care patient stress before, during, and after aromatherapy intervention.

Positive impact

Based on our review of the literature and experience with these projects, we found that essential oils have a positive impact on staff perceptions of stress in a busy workplace. In addition, we found no reports of adverse events during the essential oil diffusion in either of the clinical areas we studied. Findings from the EHR should be viewed with caution. Although positive effects were seen on certain patient outcomes—such as blood pressure variability—the study wasn’t designed to examine cause and effect. It does, however, raise questions about the interplay between nurses’ emotional state and patient response.

These studies demonstrate the beneficial effect aromatherapy can have on nurses in the workplace. Many essential oils are inexpensive (although costs vary and some may cost over $100 per ounce), making them a cost-effective, safe, natural, and pleasant intervention for nurses and other healthcare staff.

The staff members who designed the intervention experienced a sense of empowerment associated with taking a nontraditional idea, developing it into a plan of action, and implementing a successful program. These results have led to excitement about the power and potential of essential oils in patient care settings.

Both studies have provided evidence about the impact of aromatherapy on staff stress and some indication that a more relaxed staff nurse might transmit that calm balance when providing patient care. These findings also highlight the need for aromatherapy research and education. We’re currently working on an education initiative and a follow-up research project involving patient care.

Juli Reynolds is an RN 4 in perioperative services at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, and has a website on essential oils. Betsy Parker is an RN 2 in clinical research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Nancy Wells is a research professor at Vanderbilt University school of nursing. Elizabeth Card is a nursing research consultant and nurse practitioner at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. 

This article underwent peer review before publication. American Nurse Today and Vanderbilt University Medical Center do not endorse any specific manufacturers of essential oils or websites marketing them.

Selected references

Berger L, Tavares M, Berger B. A Canadian experience of integrating complementary therapy in a hospital palliative care unit. J Palliat Med. 2013;16(10):1294-8.

Buckle J. Clinical Aromatherapy: Essential Oils in Healthcare. 3rded. London, England: Churchill Livingstone; 2015.

Harman A. Harvest to Hydrosol: Distill Your Own Exquisite Hydrosols at Home. Fruitland, WA: Botannicals; 2015.

JohnsonJR,RivardRL,GriffinKH, et al.The effectiveness of nurse-delivered aromatherapy in an acute care setting. Complement Ther Med. 2016;25:164-9.

Joswiak D, Kinney ME, Johnson JR, et al. Development of a health system-based nurse-delivered aromatherapy program. J Nurs Adm. 2016;46(4):221-5.

Lee EH. Review of the psychometric evidence of the perceived stress scale. Asian Nurs Res. 2012;6(4):121-7.

Valnet J, Tisserand RB. The Practice of Aromatherapy: A Classic Compendium of Plant Medicines and Their Healing Properties. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press; 1990.

Varney E, Buckle J. Effect of inhaled essential oils on mental exhaustion and moderate burnout: A small pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2013;19(1):69-71.

14 Comments.

  • Sally Jannot MSN, CNP, ACHPN
    January 14, 2020 12:00 pm

    A colleague and I are interested in evaluating the effects of aromatherapy on caregiver stress and burnout. We are particularly interested in learning more about the pre/post survey tool that was utilized, if possible. Thank you for publishing this informative article!

    • Hello Sally and Jennifer, we used the Perceived Stress Scale to measure the impact of the essential oils. We wish you the best on your project. We have replicated the project with the staff in our walk in clinics and found the same results.

  • Jennifer Santoro BSN, RN-BC
    December 4, 2019 9:19 pm

    Hello,

    I am commenting in hopes to reach out to the initial authors of this study. My colleague and I are doing an EBP using diffusion of aromatherapy to hopefully decrease nurse stress levels. We would like to use the Aromatherapy pre-post survey tool used in their clinical research. Please contact me by email to discuss. Thank you for your work!!

    • Hi Jennifer,

      We are forwarding your request to the authors! We will be in touch!

      Thanks,
      Lydia Kim – Digital Content Editor for American Nurse Today

  • Marian E Reven
    April 15, 2019 2:38 pm

    Hello, as a Registered Nurse and Registered Aromatherapist, I am glad to hear that you and your organization are interested in natural stress relief and care for both patients and nurses.
    Please consider the following:
    I would like to know the companies and oils that were used for this study. Additionally, as a nurse researcher, I look for certain terms and statements about aromatherapy and nursing/healthcare. When the terms “indigenously sourced and from single harvest” are used, what do they mean? How can we know if frankincense, for example, is all sourced from one area or harvested from the same tree? This is just one example, but it illustrates that this terminology is questionable and not helpful to me as an aromatherapist and nurse.
    Could you tell me if there is a Certified or Registered Aromatherapist leading your project? As Jane Buckle (who you reference) points out, any use of aromatherapy in healthcare is done, in best practice, with a lead Certified Aromatherapist.
    Personally, the research project in my university will utilize Aromatherapy Patches created by a reputable company without any risk of COI and with a definite eye toward supporting nurses and enhancing safety. Patches are a great way to contain, target, and control the use of aromatherapy in healthcare and could be used in your settings of Peri-op and Palliative care. Bioesse makes a great patch and companies like Jodi Baglien have healthcare friendly packages and education.
    Consider using patches instead of diffusion, which, while loved by many, could be the source of discomfort or even respiratory distress in a public who are bombarded by chemistry, albeit natural in this case.
    Please feel free to contact me if you would like some consultation or support for your projects in the future. Take care and consider joining AIA, Alliance of International Aromatherapists and becoming part of an organization that values aromatherapy, research, and best practice to protect everyone.

  • Hello Paige, thank you for your comments and concerns. We monitored very closely for adverse events; we did not have anyone experience an adverse event related to the diffusers during the month they were running for the study. The nurses station they were located at is in a large academic medical center preoperative holding room and on the 16 bed palliative care unit. The pre-op holding room area is used to prepare patients for surgery that will be performed in the 39 operating rooms, with an average of 100 surgeries/procedures a day. You can imagine the foot traffic between staff, patients and families/visitors. We believe key in diffusing safely is to keep the diffusers turned to the lowest possible settings.

  • Elizabeth Card
    April 1, 2019 4:21 pm

    Hello Jan Tomaino, thank you for your comments. The diffusers were very well received in both of the public areas we used them in, by both staff e.g., (nurses, physicians, anesthesiologists, chaplains) and by patients and their families/visitors. We believe key to this acceptance is to keep the diffusers turned to the lowest possible setting resulting in an almost undetectable scent. We tested and marked this setting on the diffusers. The COI was corrected by the Nursing Research Office purchasing the oils directly from 2 different essential oils companies (selected on quality of the essential oils). Additionally, both the IRB and VU Conflict of Interest offices were aware of the nurses relationship with an essential oil company and approved the correction action plan. Finally, the Nursing Research Office blinding the essential oils prior to diffusing to correct for any remaining biases or COI.

  • As a DNP,RN and clinical aromatherapy practitioner, I also question using diffusers in open public spaces. There are so many benefits received using essential oils with direct inhalation. Use of diffusers in public spaces is like saying “I have a headache- so everyone should be treated.” I’m also surprised that this was even published since there is a significant COI with nurses (author) selling and promoting doTerra essential oils at Vanderbilt- which were used for this study.

  • Paige Schrotenboer
    February 12, 2019 4:15 pm

    I am shocked and appalled you would diffuse essential oils publicly. This would not be compliant to our facilities no fragrance policy. These oils can cause migraines, asthma, threat sensitivity to many people. To promote the public use of essential oils is irresponsible and to see medical professionals doing so is troubling.

  • Lemon diffused is also great way of gaining focus in the workplace environment. Both essential oils and CBD Oil are terrific for therapy!

  • I enjoyed reading this article on the effects of nursing stress and the use of essential oils. In recent times the use of essential oils has become increasingly popular and it is important to promote the safe use of these volatile substances. I do agree there is a place for them within healthcare and they are good tools to help decrease stress and anxiety in healthcare.

    Workplace stress is big expense for our country costing upwards of 150 billion dollars, and is a leading occupational hazard (Johnson et al., 2017). This added stress for nursing staff can result in increased burnout and turnover of nursing staff (Johnson et al., 2017). The excessive demands of nursing staff and the stress it produces can be seen in nurses when they exhibit behaviors such as crying, fatigue, frustration, distraction, and acting defensively (Johnson et al., 2017). Several studies have shown that the use of lavender and clary sage oils mixed with an appropriate carrier oil can reduce workplace stress in nurses in medical surgical units (Johnson et al., 2017).
    In my opinion healthcare organizations need to get information from people who have educated themselves in the proper use of these substances.

    • Thank you for your encouraging words, nurses are positioned perfectly for integrating essential oils into health care. Essential Oil Nurses are making a difference in health care!

  • Rita Hawthorne-Runnels, RN, CCH, CHHP
    July 3, 2018 12:30 am

    Great article! Thank you for all of your time & energy that went into this! So glad I get to teach self care to my patients & lean on natural solutions for wellness!

    • Thank you Rita! I’m glad to know that you are out there teaching your patients and making health care better for everyone. It’s been great to add to the research!

Comments are closed.

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