Aromatherapy blend of thyme, orange, clove bud, and frankincense boosts energy levels in post-COVID-19 female patients: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: A large proportion of individuals who have recovered from an acute COVID-19 infection continue to experience symptoms months later. Post-acute COVID-19 (long-haul COVID-19) can range from serious complications to quality of life symptoms such as fatigue or insomnia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential for inhalation of essential oils to improve energy levels among otherwise healthy female survivors of acute COVID-19 who experience a lack of energy more than five months after recovery. This study was conducted in the United States in late 2021. METHOD: This was a randomized double blind, placebo controlled trial to evaluate the potential for inhalation of Longevity™, a proprietary essential oil blend manufactured by Young Living Essential Oils (Lehi, Utah, USA), on energy levels among female survivors of COVID-19 who continue to experience fatigue more than 5 months recovery from the acute infection. Forty women were randomized to two groups: intervention and placebo. Both groups inhaled the assigned product twice daily for fourteen consecutive days. Fatigue scores were measured using the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory (MFSI). Secondary outcomes included scores on each of the MFSI's ten subscales. RESULTS: Individuals who inhaled the essential oil blend for 2 weeks had significantly lower fatigue scores after controlling for baseline scores, employment status, BMI, olfactory function, and time since diagnosis, with a large effect size (F (1,39) = 6.15, p = .020, partial eta squared = 0.198). Subscale analysis identified subscales of vigor, as well as global, behavioral, general, and mental fatigue as benefiting from the intervention. This study provides evidence that a proprietary aromatherapy blend can significantly improve energy levels among women who are experiencing fatigue after recovering from COVID-19.

Multistate Outbreak of Melioidosis Associated with Imported Aromatherapy Spray.

Melioidosis, caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, is an uncommon infection that is typically associated with exposure to soil and water in tropical and subtropical environments. It is rarely diagnosed in the continental United States. Patients with melioidosis in the United States commonly report travel to regions where melioidosis is endemic. We report a cluster of four non-travel-associated cases of melioidosis in Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, and Texas. These cases were caused by the same strain of B. pseudomallei that was linked to an aromatherapy spray product imported from a melioidosis-endemic area.

Effects of Inhalation Aromatherapy With Rosa damascena (Damask Rose) on the State Anxiety and Sleep Quality of Operating Room Personnel During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: Although aromatherapy with damask rose can reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality in different conditions, no study has yet addressed its effects among operating room (OR) personnel. Considering the high level of workload among Iranian OR personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic which can affect their anxiety and sleep quality, this study evaluated the effects of damask rose aromatherapy on state anxiety and sleep quality among a population of Iranian OR personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: A randomized, nonblinded, parallel-group controlled trial. METHODS: Eighty OR personnel were divided into the two groups of damask rose and placebo (paraffin oil) using the stratified randomization method. In the first aromatherapy session, the participants inhaled two drops of either damask rose oil or paraffin oil for 10 minutes at the beginning of their morning shift. Then, they attached an absorbent cloth napkin impregnated with 5 drops of products to the side of their pillow for 30 consecutive nights. The Spielberger state anxiety inventory (SAI) and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were completed before random allocation (T1) and on the 31st day of the study (T3). Also, the SAI was completed 90 minutes after the end of the first aromatherapy session (T2). FINDINGS: The mean changes in the SAI score were significant compared to T1 both at T2 and T3 in favor of the damask rose group (P < .001 in two cases). Similarly, the mean change in PSQI score was significant compared to T1 at T3 in favor of the damask rose group (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Damask rose can be effective in reducing state anxiety and improving sleep quality of OR personnel. Further studies are needed to determine the generalizability of the findings.

Effectiveness and safety review of Chinese herbal sachets for external use in the treatment of COVID-19 pandemic: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has strong transmission power, and people are generally susceptible to it. Patients with weak constitution and low immunity function are more likely to be infected. Aromatic therapy of traditional Chinese medicine has the effect of inhibiting virus and sterilization, especially the external treatment of traditional Chinese medicine has played an important role in the fight against the epidemic situation. METHODS: Nine databases will be searched under the guideline of research strategy, from their inception to March 31, 2021, for relevant randomized controlled trial (RCTs) published. These databases are Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan-fang Data, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. The types on Language of literature are English and Chinese. Researchers will independently operate the literature research, screening, quality evaluation, data collection, and data analysis with same research strategy and selection criteria. Methodological quality will be evaluated under the guideline of the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) will be used to determine confidence in the effect estimates. Meta-analysis or subgroup analysis will be performed according to the including data type. Meta-analysis will be performed with Stata 13.0 software. RESULTS: Outcome will be displayed by effective rates, quality of life score, adverse effect. CONCLUSION: This systematic review will provide evidence whether Chinese herbal sachets are effective and safe intervention of COVID-19 Pandemic. REGISTRATION NUMBER IN PROSPERO: CRD42021238580.