Study on the effect of aromatherapy after COVID-19

A large proportion of people who have survived an acute COVID-19 infection still suffer from symptoms months later. Post-acute COVID-19 (long COVID) can range from severe complications to quality-of-life-impairing symptoms such as fatigue or insomnia. The aim of this study led by Jessie Hawkins et al. was to investigate the potential of essential oil inhalation to improve energy levels in otherwise healthy women who continue to suffer from low energy more than five months after recovery.

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to investigate the effect of inhalation of Longevity™, a proprietary essential oil blend from Young Living Essential Oils (Lehi, Utah, USA), on the energy levels of COVID-19 survivors with persistent fatigue. Forty women were randomly assigned to an intervention or placebo group . The intervention group inhaled the assigned product twice daily for fourteen days. Fatigue was assessed using the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory (MFSI). Secondary endpoints included the ten subscales of the MFSI.

Participants inhaling the essential oil blend had significantly lower fatigue scores after two weeks, even after adjusting for baseline values, employment status, BMI, sense of smell and time since diagnosis. The subscale analysis revealed positive effects particularly in the areas of vitality as well as global, behavioral, general and mental fatigue.

This study provides evidence that a specific aromatherapy blend can significantly improve energy levels in women with post-COVID fatigue.