Aromata - S-Consult

15/11/2025

The antioxidant, anticonvulsant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activity of coriander EO were evaluated in preclinical models. The EO displayed good antioxidant activity (ABTS assay), which significantly exceeded isolated linalool. Coriander EO also exhibited significant anticonvulsant effects after being challenged by a seizure-inducing substance when ingested. The EO reduced seizure frequency by 43%. The same amount of coriander EO remarkably reduced pain (analgesic), with only slightly lower efficacy compared to tramadol. Lastly, the EO demonstrated the ability to reduce inflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6), which was comparable to ibuprofen. Molecular docking revealed linalool had a moderate binding affinity to COX-1 and COX-2, sharing some key qualities with reference drugs. Based on its favorable safety profile and demonstrated therapeutic effects, the researchers concluded that coriander EO is a promising natural solutions for seizures, pain, and inflammation.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41113205/

14/11/2025

Certain EOs contain constituents that can increase the risk of seizure or reduce seizure threshold. See Appendix G of my book "Medicinal Essential Oils" for a list of these EOs. However, other EOs have been investigated for their ability to reduce seizure frequency and severity.

Laboratory research evaluating antioxidant capacity and a preclinical model that evaluates human epilepsy primarily by reproducing key aspects of the pathophysiology, behavioral seizures, and long-term brain changes seen in epilepsy, evaluated the therapeutic potential of Greek aromatic plants—pennyroyal, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, and Origanum dictamnus. First, the EOs were evaluated for antioxidant activity (DPPH, AOP, MDA assays), with peppermint, pennyroyal, and Origanum dictamnus exhibiting the best activity. Pretreatment with the EOs showed that peppermint provided the greatest neuroprotection, reducing damage to neurons when challenged by a chemical that acts on GABA-A receptors and triggers severe and acute epileptic seizures as well as high levels of neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity. This suggests that peppermint warrants further evaluation to reduce seizures.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12524642/

12/11/2025

Retaining cognitive function and memory performance throughout life is a pursuit of most of us. Fortunately, essential oils are supportive of these efforts due to their privileged access to the brain (able to cross the blood-brain barrier), ability to modify enzyme activity (acetylcholinesterase), and interaction with neurons. A recent preclinical model of cognitive impairment found that exposure to coriander essential oil improved memory performance by decreasing acetylcholinesterase and reducing oxidative stress.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10451280/

06/11/2025

Post-operative delirium (POD) in older individuals is an acute, fluctuating disturbance in attention and cognition that often develops shortly after surgery and anesthesia. It's characterized by problems with focus, awareness, and thinking, which can range from hypoactive (quiet and withdrawn) to hyperactive (agitated and confused) states, significantly increasing morbidity and mortality in this population. POD is quite common, affecting an estimated 10% to 50% of older adults following major surgery, depending on the patient's health status, the complexity of the procedure, and the specific assessment methods used.

A randomized controlled clinical trial evaluated the effects of inhaling peppermint EO on POD in older adults after surgery. The peppermint group inhaled one drop from a cotton pad soaked with 2 mL of 2% peppermint EO that was placed near his or her nose for 10 minutes the night before the surgery, prior to receiving anesthesia, and while in the post-anesthesia care unit. The control group inhaled saline from a cotton pad in the same manner. The peppermint EO group experienced significantly lower POD incidence within the three days following surgery. The peppermint group also reported reduced pain and anxiety scores as a side benefit. These findings suggest peppermint EO inhalation is an effective way to reduce POD and improve surgical outcomes in older adults.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550830725001636

03/11/2025

A double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial compared the benefits of ingesting lavender EO (softgel providing 80 mg/day; about two drops) against sertraline (Zoloft; 50 mg/day; an antidepressant medication) for mild-to-moderate major depressive disorder. A placebo group was also included. Both the lavender EO and sertraline produced significantly greater reductions in depression severity according to the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) when compared with placebo. Response rates were 53–54% for the lavender EO and sertraline versus 41.5% for placebo, and remission rates were 44–45% versus 32.6%. The lavender EO also significantly improved functional impairment on the Sheehan Disability Scale. Both treatments were well tolerated; with only EO burp back being the most common undesirable effect of the lavender EO. These findings demonstrate that ingested lavender EO is an effective, well-tolerated treatment for mild-to-moderate depression, comparable to sertraline.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12500811/

03/11/2025

This yeast virus, ScV-L-A, is an ideal, safe, and simple tool for testing the activity of substances against viruses. Because it is non-enveloped, it's similar to some harder-to-kill human viruses, making it a great model to see if a substance is truly effective. Working with it in yeast, rather than people or animals, makes the research safer, easier, and faster.

Researchers explored the antiviral potential of various EOs and their main constituents against ScV-L-A. The study demonstrated that many EOs inhibit viral RNA polymerase activity, both in liquid and v***r phases, with differing potencies depending on their chemical makeup. Among the oils tested, lemon myrtle essential oil—rich in the aldehyde citral—proved to be the most effective, showing complete viral polymerase inhibition within one hour and possessing the lowest half-maximal inhibitory concentration. Citral-rich lemongrass and lemon verbena oils also displayed strong antiviral action, while coriander and mandarin oils were among the least active. Palmarosa and lavender were moderately active. Notably, tea tree and mandarin oils caused visible damage to viral capsid structures under transmission electron microscopy, revealing distinct modes of action. The findings highlight the broad antiviral promise of citral-dominant essential oils, suggesting their potential use as natural, sustainable agents for viral control.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12427481/

19/10/2025

Did you know that research suggests that deterioration of olfaction (sense of smell) precedes a decline in cognitive abilities? Indeed, olfactory loss is associated with significant losses of brain matter (gray and white) in humans. Loss of olfaction can even predict the progression of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease.

Knowing the correlation between olfaction and cognition, researchers set out to investigate whether olfactory enrichment (exposure to fragrances) can improve memory in older adults (aged 60-85). Participants in the study were provided a diffuser and seven essential oils (rose, orange, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, and lavender). They diffused each oil in a rotation--changing the oil they diffused daily--for two hours as they slept. This process was continued for six months.

The researchers found that aromatic molecules have privileged access to areas of the brain and pathways relevant to olfaction and memory, which may help normalize brain circuitry linked to memory. Remarkably, nightly diffusion improved cognition, memory, and neural functioning by 226%!
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1200448/full

09/10/2025

04/10/2025

Blijf kritisch lezen!

Alle respect voor Scott Johnson, maar hier slaat hij de bal toch mis. Ravintsara is naar mijn mening wel degelijk een uitstekende angststiller, maar het door hem geciteerde artikel ondersteunt dit NIET!

Het chemisch profiel komt niet overeen met dat van de ravintsara - eerst het geciteerde profiel, tussen haakjes dat van ravintsara:
Alpha-pinene: 13.74% (2.5 - 10%)
Beta-pinene: 11.89% (2 - 5%)
Sabinene: niet aanwezig (10 - 18%)
1,8-Cineole: 5.31% (50 - 62%)
Camphor: 32.28% (niet aanwezig)
Terpinen-4-ol: 2.64% (1 - 4%)
Alpha-terpineol: niet aanwezig (5 - 11%).
Het geciteerde profiel sluit nauwer aan aan dat van de klassieke kamfer, maar is duidelijk ook geen ravintsara.

In de conclusie van het geciteerde artikel wordt angst niet vermeld. Wel wordt vermeld dat depressie en spanning verminderen en dat geheugen en aandacht verbeteren.

A controlled clinical trial evaluated the effects of ravintsara on the anxiety of university students aged 18 to 25 years old. A 1% dilution of ravintsara was inhaled from an atomizing diffuser for five minutes while brain activity was measured via electroencephalogram (EEG). A baseline EEG, heart rate, blood pressure, pulse rate, and blood oxygen saturation were established prior to inhaling the oil and a Profile of Mood States (POMS) test administered. The control group inhaled normal room air. A notable reduction in absolute beta, absolute gamma, absolute high beta, and relative gamma brainwaves was observed in the group that inhaled the oil. Conversely, the relative theta and power spectra values significantly increased. Additionally, diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate decreased after inhaling ravintsara oil. The POMS results found that participants in the oil group reported experiencing positive emotions and reduced negative feelings. These observations suggest inhaling ravintsara oil promotes mental and physical relaxation, enhances cognitive processes related to memory and attention, and enhances mood states.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11312375/

29/09/2025

Turmeric (𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑚𝑎 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑎) is valued not only for its culinary and medicinal properties but also for its essential oil, which can be extracted from both the fresh rhizomes and the leaves. The rhizomes yield a rich, aromatic oil, while the leaves provide a lighter, green note- both reflecting the plant’s unique chemistry and quality when harvested at the right time.

In the fields, farmers are at the center of every step. They monitor the growth of the turmeric plants, carefully determine the optimal time for harvesting, and handle each rhizome and leaf with precision. Harvesting is labor-intensive: digging out the roots, trimming, and cleaning them requires skill to ensure the plant’s integrity for oil extraction. The leaves, too, are gathered carefully so they retain their aromatic qualities.

Every step in the field, guided by their knowledge and care, directly contributes to the purity and aroma of the turmeric essential oil.

24/09/2025