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Research: MASAGO and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 60
Abstract
MASAGO and colleagues, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Chiba University. mryoko@ergo1.ti.chiba-u.ac.jp investigated the effects of inhalation of essential oils on EEG activity and sensory evaluation .
Background
Methodology
EEG and sensory evaluation were assessed in 13 healthy female subjects in four odour conditions . Four odour conditions (including lavender, chamomile, sandalwood and eugenol ) were applied respectively for each subject in the experiment.
Results
Four basic factors were extracted from 22 adjective pairs by factor analysis of the sensory evaluation. The first factor was 'comfortable feeling', the second 'cheerful feeling', the third 'natural feeling' and the fourth 'feminine feeling' . In the score of the first factor (comfortable feeling), the odours in order of high contribution are lavender, eugenol, chamomile and sandalwood. Alpha 1 (8-10 Hz) of EEG at parietal and posterior temporal regions significantly decreased soon after the onset of inhalation of lavender oil (p < 0.01). Significant changes of alpha 1 were also observed after inhalation of eugenol or chamomile. The change after inhalation of sandalwood was not significant. These results showed that alpha 1 activity significantly decreased under odour conditions in which subjects felt comfortable, and showed no significant change under odour conditions in which subjects felt uncomfortable.
Conclusion
These results suggest a possible correlation between alpha 1 activity and subjective evaluation .
References
Masago R et al. Effects of inhalation of essential oils on EEG activity and sensory evaluation. Journal of Physiological Anthropology and Applied Human Science 19(1): 35-42. Jan 2000.
