Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 85-96 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 91 Eslami et al. (2018) explored the effect of aromatherapy on preoperative anxiety. A total of 90 patients were recruited for the trial and divided into three groups: one group received aromatherapy with Lavandula angustifolia extract, another group received Citrus aurantiumextract, and the control group received odorless oil as a placebo. The Spielberg Anxiety Questionnaire was used to assess the patients' anxiety levels before and after the aromatherapy intervention. The results showed that anxiety levels significantly decreased in both the Lavandula angustifolia and Citrus aurantium groups after the intervention, with mean changes in state anxiety and trait anxiety of -12.8 and -13, respectively, both with significant statistical differences (P<0.001) (Table 1). In contrast, anxiety levels in the control group showed almost no change, with values of only 1 and 0.5 (Eslami et al., 2018). The results confirmed that aromatherapy significantly reduced preoperative anxiety, and both essential oils were similarly effective, with no significant difference compared to the control group. Table 1 Comparison of mean changes and standard deviation of state and trait anxiety of patients undergoing surgery in the three groups after intervention, compared to before intervention (Adopted from Eslami et al., 2018) Group Variable Anxiety state Anxiety trait Aromatherapy with essential oils citrus aurantium Aromatherapy with essential oils Lavender Control Aromatherapy with essential oils citrus aurantium Aromatherapy with essential oils Lavender Control Changes in mean state and trait anxiety (group changes) -13 -12.8 1 -10.43 -9.26 0.5 SD 3.78 4.21 2.58 2.37 4.25 1.47 Confidence interval -14.41, -11.58 -14.37, -11.22 0.03, 1.96 -11.31, -9.54 -10.85, -7.67 -0.5, 1.05 Result P<0.001 P<0.01 P<0.0011 P<0.00 P<0.001 P<0.001 The study indicates that the use of essential oils in medical settings can effectively reduce patient anxiety, with both lavender and lime showing similar effects. This approach serves as a non-invasive, low-cost intervention for preoperative anxiety. It has demonstrated great potential in alleviating surgery-related anxiety, contributing to an improved preoperative experience and overall well-being of patients. 6 Safety and Toxicology 6.1 Acute and chronic toxicity studies Aromatic medicinal plants and their essential oils (EOs) have been widely studied for their therapeutic benefits, but their safety profiles, particularly regarding acute and chronic toxicity, are crucial for clinical applications. For instance, the essential oils fromArtemisia campestris, Pulicaria arabica, and Saccocalyx satureioides have shown significant insecticidal properties, indicating potential toxicity at certain concentrations (Ammar et al., 2020). Additionally, the use of medicinal plants during pregnancy has raised concerns due to potential teratogenic and embryotoxic effects. Studies have highlighted that certain plants, such as Aloe vera and Ginkgo biloba, should be avoided during pregnancy due to their adverse effects on fetal development (Bernstein et al., 2020). These findings underscore the importance of conducting comprehensive toxicity studies to establish safe usage guidelines. 6.2 Allergic reactions and sensitivities Allergic reactions to aromatic medicinal plants are a significant safety concern. Volatile compounds in these plants, such as limonene, linalool, and citronellol, have been identified as potential allergens. For example, a study on lavender, mint, sage, hyssop, and St John’s wort revealed that the levels of these allergens in some plants exceeded safe values recommended by legislation, posing risks for sensitive individuals (Burdějová and Vítová, 2019). This highlights the need for careful monitoring and regulation of allergenic compounds in medicinal plant extracts to prevent adverse reactions in susceptible populations.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==