II. Definitions
- Essential Oils
- Scented liquid ("essence") extracted from plants, and diffused into the air as part of Aromatherapy
III. Efficacy
- May be effective for a variety of painful conditions based on limited evidence
IV. Precautions
- Essential Oils are very concentrated solutions
- Avoid ingesting Essential Oils
- When using topically, dilute solution and apply only a small amount to unbroken skin
V. Adverse Effects
- Inhaled (Aromatherapy)
- Unlikely to be harmful in the short-term
- Topicals (esp. if applied to open wounds, or if not diluted)
- Systemic absorption (e.g. Gynecomastia may occur in boys exposed to lavender)
- Contact Dermatitis
- Photosensitivity (e.g. citrus)
- Oral
- Avoid ingestion!
- Keep out of reach of children and pets
- Adverse effects vary by essential oil
- Life threatening effects may occur with some agents (e.g. ingested Tea Tree Oil may cause coma in children)
VI. References
- (2018) Presc Lett 25(10):59
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| Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) | The scented liquid taken from certain plants using steam or pressure. Essential oils contain the natural chemicals that give the plant its "essence" (specific odor and flavor). Essential oils are used in perfumes, food flavorings, medicine, and aromatherapy. |
| Definition (MSH) | Oils which evaporate readily. The volatile oils occur in aromatic plants, to which they give odor and other characteristics. Most volatile oils consist of a mixture of two or more TERPENES or of a mixture of an eleoptene (the more volatile constituent of a volatile oil) with a stearopten (the more solid constituent). The synonym essential oils refers to the essence of a plant, as its perfume or scent, and not to its indispensability. |
| Concepts | Organic Chemical (T109) |
| MSH | D009822 |
| SnomedCT | 35079003 |
| English | Oils, Essential, Oils, Volatile, Volatile Oils, Essential Oils, essential oils, essential oils (medication), Oils, Volatile [Chemical/Ingredient], volatile oil, Essential Oil, essential oil, Essential oil, Distilled oil, Essence, Volatile oil, Volatile oil (substance), Essential oils, OILS,ESSENTIAL |
| Swedish | Oljor, flyktiga |
| Czech | oleje prchavé, oleje esenciální, oleje éterické |
| Finnish | Haihtuvat öljyt |
| Russian | MASLA LETUCHIE, EFIRNYE MASLA, MASLA NEZAMENIMYE, МАСЛА ЛЕТУЧИЕ, ЭФИРНЫЕ МАСЛА, МАСЛА НЕЗАМЕНИМЫЕ |
| Italian | Oli essenziali, Oli volatili |
| Polish | Olejki lotne, Olejki eteryczne |
| Japanese | 精油, 揮発性油 |
| Spanish | aceite destilado, aceite esencial, aceite volátil (sustancia), aceite volátil, esencia, Aceites Esenciales, Aceites Volátiles |
| French | Huile essentielle |
| German | Olea aetherea, Öle, ätherische |
| Portuguese | Óleos Essenciais, Óleos Voláteis |
Ontology: Aromatherapy (C0376547)
| Definition (MSH) | The use of fragrances and essences from plants to affect or alter a person's mood or behavior and to facilitate physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The chemicals comprising essential oils in plants has a host of therapeutic properties and has been used historically in Africa, Asia, and India. Its greatest application is in the field of alternative medicine. (From Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed; from Dr. Atiba Vheir, Dove Center, Washington, D.C.) |
| Definition (NIC) | Administration of essential oils through massage, topical ointments or lotions, baths, inhalation, douches, or compresses (hot or cold) to calm and soothe, provide pain relief, enhance relaxation and comfort |
| Concepts | Therapeutic or Preventive Procedure (T061) |
| MSH | D019341 |
| SnomedCT | 394615007 |
| English | Aroma Therapies, Aroma Therapy, Aromatherapies, Therapies, Aroma, Therapy, Aroma, aromatherapy, AROMA THER, AROMATHER, THER AROMA, Aromatherapy, Aromatherapy (regime/therapy), Aroma therapy |
| Swedish | Aromaterapi |
| Japanese | ｱﾛﾏﾃﾗﾋﾟｰ, アロマテラピー, アロマセラピー, 芳香療法 |
| Czech | aromaterapie, Aromaterapie |
| Finnish | Aroomaterapia |
| Russian | AROMATOTERAPIIA, АРОМАТОТЕРАПИЯ |
| Polish | Leczenie zapachami, Aromaterapia |
| Croatian | AROMATERAPIJA |
| Hungarian | Aromaterápia |
| Norwegian | Aromaterapi |
| Spanish | aromaterapia (régimen/tratamiento), aromaterapia, Aromaterapia |
| Dutch | aromatherapie, Aromatherapie, Therapie, aroma- |
| French | Aromathérapie, Thérapie par les arômes |
| German | Aromatherapie |
| Italian | Aromaterapia |
| Portuguese | Aromaterapia |
