A German study has revealed that the benefits of aromatherapy appear to be all in the mind. Study results showed that water had exactly the same effect on patients as essential oils – providing that the patients believed they were begin given the real treatment. The scientists tested peppermint, jasmine, and ylang-ylang, oils that are supposed to make users more alert, however there was no significant difference in reaction times between participants who were given the aromatherapy oil, and those given water. When researchers asked the volunteers to rate how stimulating, strong or pleasant they found each spray, those who gave higher ratings showed better reaction times. Thus suggesting that aromatherapy produces a placebo effect.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.bbc.co.uk on the 19th April 2001
