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Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
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Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
Brent Bauer, M.D., is board certified in internal medicine. He is a consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine and director of the Department of Internal Medicine's Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. Bauer, a native of Madison, Wis., is also a professor of medicine at Mayo Medical School and a graduate of Mayo Medical School.
He serves on the editorial board of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter and is medical editor for EmbodyHealth Newsletter. He has been on staff at Mayo Clinic since 1992, first practicing at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., before joining Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., in 1996.
Dr. Bauer's principal research focus is the scientific evaluation of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies that patients and consumers are using with increasing frequency. He has authored several book chapters and papers on this topic, and is the medical editor of the "Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine." Dr. Bauer also spearheaded collaboration between Mayo Clinic and Gaiam in the creation of a series of 10 DVDs (Mayo Clinic Wellness Solutions). These DVDs address common health problems (for example, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure) with integrative medicine approaches that empower people to take charge of their health. His work is at the forefront of the emerging field of integrative medicine which combines the best of conventional medicine with the best of evidence-based complementary therapies.
Dr. Bauer has served on the NIH-NCCAM study section and is currently collaborating on over 20 studies being conducted at Mayo Clinic evaluating CAM therapies ranging from acupuncture to valerian. He is also a member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society; the American Federation for Medical Research; the North Central Cancer Treatment Group and other professional organizations.
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Question
Aromatherapy: Is it worthwhile?
What are the benefits of aromatherapy?
Answer
from Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
Research on the effectiveness of aromatherapy — the therapeutic use of essential oils extracted from plants — is limited. However, some studies have shown that aromatherapy might have health benefits, including:
- Relief from anxiety and depression
- Improved quality of life, particularly for people who have chronic health conditions
Essential oils used in aromatherapy are typically extracted from various parts of plants and then distilled. The highly concentrated oils may be inhaled directly or indirectly or applied to the skin through massage, lotions or bath salts. Aromatherapy is thought to work by stimulating smell receptors in the nose, which then send messages through the nervous system to the limbic system — the part of the brain that controls emotions.
Many essential oils have been shown to be safe when used as directed. However, essential oils used in aromatherapy aren't regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. When applied to the skin, side effects may include allergic reactions, skin irritation and sun sensitivity. In addition, further research is needed to determine how essential oils might affect children and how the oils might affect women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, as well as how the oils might interact with medications and other treatments.
If you're considering aromatherapy, consult your doctor and a trained aromatherapist about the possible risks and benefits.
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- Ernst E. Complementary and alternative therapies for cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
- Simkin P, et al. Nonpharmacological approaches to management of labor pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
- Cosmetics Q&A: Aromatherapy. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/CosmeticsQA/ucm167256.htm. Accessed March 14, 2011.
- Herz RS. Aromatherapy facts and fictions: A scientific analysis of olfactory effects on mood, physiology and behavior. International Journal of Neuroscience. 2009;119:263.
- Questions and answers about aromatherapy. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/aromatherapy/patient/page2. Accessed March 14, 2011.
- Aromatherapy. National Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?cs=MAYO&s=ND&pt=100&sh=3&id=1174. Accessed March 11, 2011.
- Tillett J, et al. The use of aromatherapy in women's health. The Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing. 2010;24:238.
- Yim VWC, et al. A review on the effects of aromatherapy for patients with depressive symptoms. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2009;15:187.
- Hoffman CJ. Aromatherapy. In: Micozzi MS, et al. Fundamentals of Complementary and Integrative Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Saunders Elsevier. 2005;207.
- Sarris J, et al. A systematic review of insomnia and complementary medicine. Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2011;15:99.
- Cutshall SM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 24, 2011.
- Bauer BA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 21, 2011.
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