Preliminary Clinical Evaluation of Inhalation Aromatherapy with Blended Essential Oils on Sleep Quality in Adults with Sleep Disturbance

Authors

• Punyanut Amorndoljai, Faculty of Integrative Medicine, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani, Thailand
• Laddawan Choothong, Faculty of Integrative Medicine, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani, Thailand.
• Surachai Techaoei, Faculty of Integrative Medicine, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani, Thailand.
• Em-on Chaiprateep, Faculty of Integrative Medicine, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani, ThailandFollow

Abstract

Background: Sleep disturbances impact cognition and physiology. While individual essential oils are documented, a gap remains in how multi-component blends can target multiple pathways. This study evaluated a blended essential oil (BEO) systematically guided by Thai Traditional medicine (TTM) principles to balance the "Wind" element (Tard Lom) alongside modern neurobiological validation.

Methods: A one-group pretest–posttest quasi-experimental study was conducted in adults (aged ≥ 20 years, n = 38) with sleep disturbances (PSQI > 5). The BEO formulation consisting of orange (2.5% w/w), lavender (1.0% w/w), ylang-ylang (1.5% w/w), geranium (0.5% w/w), cedarwood (2.0% w/w), and rosewood (2.0% w/w) in 95% ethanol (90.5% w/w) was sprayed nightly onto pillows for 14 days. Outcomes were assessed via global/domain PSQI, GC-MS, and in vitro AChE inhibitory assays.

Results: GC-MS identified D-limonene (21.17%), linalool (22.38%), and cedryl acetate (1.46%). BEO exhibited concentration-dependent AChE inhibitory activity (IC50 of 0.0164 ± 0.0032 mg/mL; physostigmine: 0.00263 ± 0.00097 mg/mL). Following BEO inhalation, global PSQI scores significantly decreased from 14.76 ± 1.61 to 1.68 ± 1.49 (p < 0.001), with marked improvements across all domains (p < 0.001), including latency, duration, and daytime dysfunction.

            Conclusion: Passive BEO inhalation was associated with significant improvements in self-reported sleep quality and daytime functioning. Bioactive profiling and in vitro AChE inhibition support the hypothesized synergistic neurochemical pathways, suggesting BEO as an accessible, non-pharmacological integrative intervention for sleep hygiene.

Keywords: Acetylcholinesterase inhibition, Blend of essential oils, Essential oils, Insomnia, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Sleep disturbance, Thai Traditional Medicine

Recommended Citation

Amorndoljai P, Choothong L, Techaoei S, Chaiprateep E. Preliminary Clinical Evaluation of Inhalation Aromatherapy with Blended Essential Oils on Sleep Quality in Adults with Sleep Disturbance. J Health Res. 2026; 40(1):-. DOI: https://doi.org/10.56808/2586-940X.1219

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