The Harmonizing Effects of Citronella Oil on Mood States and Brain Activities

Authors

  • Winai Sayowan College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Vorasith Siripornpanich Research Center for Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakornpathom, Thailand
  • Teerut Piriyapunyaporn Salaya Stem Cell Research and Development Project; Research Center for Neuroscience, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhonpathom, Thailand
  • Tapanee Hongratanaworakit Faculty of Pharmacy, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon-nayok, Thailand
  • Naiphinich Kotchabhakdi Salaya Stem Cell Research and Development Project; Research Center for Neuroscience, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhonpathom, Thailand
  • Nijsiri Ruangrungsi (1) College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; (2) Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

Keywords:

Cymbopogon nardus Rendle, EEG, alpha power, mood state, autonomic nervous system

Abstract

Citronella oil is a famous odor and widely used in mosquito repellent application. However, the study of the effects of citronella oil on nervous system is rather limited. In this study we investigated the effects of inhaled citronella oil on emotional states and physiological parameters of the nervous system. Twenty healthy volunteers participated in this experiment. All subjects underwent autonomic nervous system recordings. These recordings included:, body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure;  mood states were also evaluated as was electroencephalography (EEG) recording in pre-, during, and post-citronella inhalation  The results were compared with control conditions. These assessments were measured before and after using a paired t- test statistical procedure. Our results indicated that citronella oil might be characterized onto the concept of “harmonization”. Citronella significantly decreased blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate after inhalation. Subjectively, participants reported feeling in a better mood and fresher. Moreover, the power of alpha and beta brain activities was increased. These results were then confirmed the stimulating effects harmonized together with relaxing effect of citronella oil.

Downloads

How to Cite

Sayowan, W., Siripornpanich, V., Piriyapunyaporn, T., Hongratanaworakit, T., Kotchabhakdi, N., & Ruangrungsi, N. (2017). The Harmonizing Effects of Citronella Oil on Mood States and Brain Activities. Journal of Health Research, 26(2), 69–75. Retrieved from https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jhealthres/article/view/84661

Issue

Section

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE