Aromaterapia em modelos animais e evidências fisiológicas de uma técnica milenar que pode mudar o futuro: uma revisão narrativa

Abstract

Aromatherapy is an alternative technique used for the treatment of various pathologies since ancient times by different peoples through the use of extracts and essential oils from aromatic plants. Its effectiveness has long been questioned and discredited, but with advances in science and an increase in research in humans and animal models about the practice, this complementary therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety and stress, as well as in combating pathologies in the clinical and hospital areas as a whole. This work aimed to gather information obtained through scientific articles that elucidate the efficiency of aromatherapy through the physiological responses of the technique in animal models, in order to demystify the practice and highlight its positive effects, reinforcing the need for further research and contributing to the knowledge in the broad spectrum of aromatherapy. This is an exploratory narrative review that gathered articles available in the main scientific databases. The results show that the use of aromatherapy through essential oils and their compounds is effective and responsible for several significant physiological improvements in all the articles. It can be concluded that the use of aromatherapy, and essential oils as well, is effective and valid when used correctly and that more studies on the subject would strengthen this practice, elevating it from the status of an alternative therapy, considering its potential and efficacy as a primary therapy.