Database examples

Two examples from the Essential Oil Research Database are given below. Once subscribed, you may search the database for any word or phrase within the fields of title, abstract, author and publication.

Database no.	666
Title:	Randomized trial of aromatherapy. Successful treatment of Alopecia areata.
Author:	Hay I C, Jamieson M, Ormerod A D
Year:	1998
Publication:	Archives of Dermatology
Language:	English
Abstract:	Instructions in essential oil use and scalp massage were given to 84 patients with Alopecia areata, a disorder in which the hair falls out in patches producing areas of baldness. Randomly divided into two groups, the control group massaged a combination of jojoba and grapseed carrier oils into their scalps every night, occluding the area with a warm towel. The test group used the same technique but included Thymus vulgaris (88 mg), Lavandula angustifolia (108 mg), Rosmarinus officinalis (114 mg) and Cedrus atlantica (94 mg) essential oils within 23 ml of carrier oil. This procedure was followed for seven months and evaluated by various means, including photographic assessment by independent dermatologists and measurement of areas of alopecia by computerised image analysis. Although variable, the test group results showed a significant statistical advantage to the treatment regime with an improvement rate of 44%. This was comparable to conventional therapies. As it had no significant adverse effects, the essential oil treatment had a higher therapeutic ratio than some therapies. A relative lack of response in the control group indicated pharmacological activity of the essential oils as opposed to any effects arising from scalp massage alone.

Database no.	1143
Title:	The effects of aromatherapy on pruritis in patients undergoing haemodialysis.
Author:	Ro Y-A, Ha H-C, Kim C-G, Yeom H-A
Year:	2002
Publication:	Dermatology Nursing
Language:	English
Abstract:	Twenty nine outpatients with a recognised degree of pruritis and receiving haemodialysis were assigned to either the test or control groups. The test group (13 patients) received a 7-minute standardised aromatherapy massage to the upper arm and palm of the hand using Lavandula angustifolia and Melaleuca alternifolia essential oils diluted 5% in sweet almond and jojoba oil. The massage was repeated three times a week for four weeks. The test and control groups received haemodialysis on alternate days. A Pruritis Score Scale was used to measure the severity, location and frequency of pruritis. Skin pH and hydration was measured at typical locations for pruritis, e.g. the forehead, wrist, lower arm and upper back. Blood was taken to determine physiological biochemical markers of uraemic pruritis. All of the parameters were measured immediately before and after the four week period. With regard to the pruritis scores, a significant decrease was demonstrated in the test group as compared to the control group at the end of the four week period. There were no significant differences in the skin pH or blood biochemical markers between the test and control groups pre- and post-experiment. However, in terms of skin hydration the control group showed a decreased hydration at the end of the test period whilst the test group had a significant increase. It was concluded that aromatherapy was a safe and effective intervention for decreasing the severity of pruritis in haemodialysis patients. It was remarked that perhaps the control group should have received massage without essential oils to contrast the effectiveness of this with aromatherapy massage.

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