How Effectively Lemongrass Essential Oil Relieve the Pain

• Main Authors: Kai-Hsuan Tai, 戴愷萱
• Other Authors: Chuan-Hsiao Han
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/39737017496155037573

碩士 === 佛光大學 === 未來與樂活產業學系 === 103 === In recent years, aromatherapy for stress relief and health has emerged as an alternative therapy in Taiwan. Previous papers have reported that lemongrass (LG) essential oil possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, so the author surveys the antioxidant activity of lemongrass (LG) essential oil, sweet almond (SW) oil, and 3% lemongrass (3% LG) essential oil, and he further inquires about whether 3% LG has pain-relieving capabilities. In experiments on antioxidant activity, the DPPH free radical scavenging activity rates with 3% LG diluted in SW as the carrier by 1.25µl/ml, 2.5µl/ml, 5µl/ml, 7.5µl/ml, and 10µl/ml are 47%, 58%, 68%, 77%, and 78%, respectively. This evinces the apparent effect of 3% LG on DPPH free radical scavenging activity. As for the hydroxyl radical scavenging tests with the electron spin resonance spectrometer (ESR), the hydroxyl radical inhibitory rates of LG diluted by 0.25µl/ml, 0.5µl/ml, 1.25µl/ml, and 2.5µl/ml are 32%, 48%, 78%, and 97%, respectively. The preceding figures imply that as the LG concentration goes up, so do the obvious effects of DPPH free radical scavenging activity, indicating high level of antioxidant activity of LG. In the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) test, 3% LG diluted by 0.25µl/ml creates an effect that was equivalent to the antioxidant activity of vitamin E by 47μM TE. It proves the antioxidant activity of 3% LG indeed. The author employs the visual analog scale (VAS) as the tool for measurement. With calculations and statistical analyses, the pain-relieving effect was significant (P<0.005) if 3% LG was used for 4 consecutive weeks. Using the heart rate variability (HRV) meter to measure the overall functional parameters (HF) of the autonomic nervous system, the author identifies obvious increases in HF measurement figures during the pretest, mid-test, and posttest periods of using 3% LG. This implies that 3% LG applying to the skin in a simple massage was helped raise HF figures and increases the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system. According to the preceding results, 3% LG was effective in the promotion of antioxidant activity, pain relief, and stress calming.