STUDY OF THE MOST USED ESSENTIAL OILS IN AROMATHERAPY AND THEIR THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES

Abstract

Aromatherapy is a practice of complementary and alternative medicine that uses essential oils extracted from aromatic plants to promote physical and emotional well-being. Due to their diverse therapeutic properties, this practice has become increasingly popular as an additional alternative to conventional health treatments. Among the most commonly used essential oils are lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), damask rose, and tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia). Studies indicate that these oils exhibit distinct therapeutic activities, such as anxiolytic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects, which have been explored for thousands of years. However, scientific evidence on the efficacy of some of these oils and their applications still requires more in-depth and rigorous research. The resente study analyzed the therapeutic potential of the most commonly used essential oils in aromatherapy through a literature review. Publications in both Portuguese and English were reviewed, based on data selected from platforms such as Google Scholar, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and the National Library of Medicine (PubMed).