Kim Choyun, Lee Gayoung, Song Chorong
Department of Forest Science, Kongju National University, 54 Daehak-ro, Yesan-eup, Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do 32439, South Korea.
Department of Forest Science, Kongju National University, 54 Daehak-ro, Yesan-eup, Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do 32439, South Korea.
Explore (NY). 2023 Nov-Dec;19(6):820-826. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2023.04.006. Epub 2023 Apr 21.
This study aimed to investigate the effect of short-term inhalation of fir essential oil on autonomic nervous activity in middle-aged women. Twenty-six women (mean age, 51.0 ± 2.9 years) participated in this study. The participants sat on a chair, closed their eyes, and inhaled fir essential oil and room air (control) for 3 min. A crossover trial was performed to eliminate the effect of the order of olfactory stimulation. Approximately half of the participants were administered stimuli in the following order: exposure to fir essential oil, then control. The remaining participants were administered control, followed by fir essential oil. Heart rate variability, heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse rate were used as indicators of the autonomic nervous system activity. The Semantic Differential method and Profile of Mood States were used as psychological indicators. The High Frequency (HF) value, an indicator of parasympathetic nerve activity reflecting a relaxed state, was significantly higher during stimulation with fir essential oil than during the control condition. The Low Frequency (LF)/(LF+HF) value, an indicator of sympathetic nerve activity reflecting awake state, was marginally lower during stimulation with fir essential oil than during the control condition. No significant differences were found in heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse rate. After inhaling fir essential oil, "comfortable," "relaxed," and "natural" feelings improved, negative moods decreased, and positive moods increased. In conclusion, inhalation of fir essential oil can help menopausal women in their physiological and psychological relaxation.
本研究旨在探讨短期吸入冷杉精油对中年女性自主神经活动的影响。26名女性（平均年龄51.0±2.9岁）参与了本研究。参与者坐在椅子上，闭上眼睛，吸入冷杉精油和室内空气（对照）3分钟。采用交叉试验以消除嗅觉刺激顺序的影响。大约一半的参与者按以下顺序接受刺激：先接触冷杉精油，然后是对照。其余参与者先接受对照，然后是冷杉精油。心率变异性、心率、血压和脉搏率被用作自主神经系统活动的指标。语义差异法和情绪状态剖面图被用作心理指标。高频（HF）值是反映放松状态的副交感神经活动指标，在吸入冷杉精油刺激期间显著高于对照条件下。低频（LF）/（LF+HF）值是反映清醒状态的交感神经活动指标，在吸入冷杉精油刺激期间略低于对照条件下。心率、血压和脉搏率未发现显著差异。吸入冷杉精油后，“舒适”“放松”和“自然”的感觉有所改善，负面情绪减少，正面情绪增加。总之，吸入冷杉精油有助于更年期女性在生理和心理上放松。
