Aromatherapy lowers anxiety in preoperative patients

You’re waiting to have surgery, and your nerves are jangling. But what if, instead of hospital antiseptic, you instead smelled lavender? Or bergamot? Maybe some eucalyptus?

A new study, part of a special collaboration between the University of Florida College of Nursing and UF Health Shands, finds that a little aromatherapy before surgery significantly reduces patients’ anxiety and decreases blood pressure and pulse rates.

The results were so compelling that UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville is actively implementing preoperative aromatherapy treatments across all its surgical units.

The study, involving 100 patients, offered aromatherapy as part of their surgical preparation. For 20 minutes, a small pod, preloaded with a blend of essential oils, was placed on the patients’ gowns near their chests. The pods contained a base of lavender oil enhanced with ylang ylang and sweet orange oils — each known for their calming properties.