Bergamot Aromatherapy Shown to Ease Anxiety Before Surgery, According to Study
Facing surgery can be stressful experience – wouldn’t it be wonderful if something as simple as a comforting scent could ease those nerves? According to research, bergamot essential oil—a fragrant citrus oil prized in aromatherapy—may do just that.
One fascinating study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice explored how inhaling bergamot oil could reduce anxiety in patients awaiting surgery.
The research involved 109 participants scheduled for outpatient surgery, who were gently exposed to natural bergamot essential oil while in the preoperative waiting room.
The study, which measured anxiety through standardised assessments, found that those who inhaled bergamot ahead of their procedure reported significantly lower levels of anxiety compared to those who did not. This calming effect appears to come from bergamot’s subtle yet powerful ability to soothe the nervous system.
Whether facing surgery or simply dealing with everyday stress, bergamot oil can be considered a gentle, natural remedy for soothing nerves and restoring emotional balance. Incorporating it through diffusion or inhalation prior to stressful events—like medical procedures—may offer a calming support to the mind and emotions.
