Research on Essential Oils?

Because so many people say that there is no research or any medical or scientifically based rational reason to use essential oils I decided to surpass their ignorance by posting a list of some of the available research and books that have been done that I have come across.  By ignorance I mean that these people are uneducated on this subject and have not actually looked for the research (which is why I'm giving it here as an easier way for everyone to look it up).  There is much more than this out there, but if you're looking for a good start to some great research and information than this is an amazing start.

A few of my favorite references for essential oils:

Advanced Aromatherapy: The Science of Essential Oil Therapy  - By Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D.

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide To The Use of Oils in Aromatherapy and Herbalismd  - By Julia Lawless

500 Formulas for Aromatherapy: Mixing Essential Oils for Every Use  - By Carol & David Schiller

The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils: The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy  - By Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D.

Nature's Farmacy: A guide for the use of essential oils for healthy living  - By Lorene Davies

Modern Essentials - By AromaTools (great reference for uses, chemistry, and lab researched information in textbook form)

--Then there will be the book that I am working on writing as well, so keep watching for that!  :)

A longer list of some more medically & science based references on essential oils:


Carson, C.F., Hammer, K.A., and T.V. Riley. “Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil: A review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties.” Clinical Microbiology Reviews 19, (2006): 50-62.

Carson, C.F., Cookson, B.D. et al. “Susceptibility of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus-aureus to the essential oil of melaleuca-alternifolia.”Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 35, (1995): 421-4.

Klevens, R.M., Morrison, M.A., et al. “Invasive methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infections in the United States.” Journal of the American Medical Association 298, (2007): 1763-71.

Warnke, P.H., Becker, S.T., et al. “The battle against multi-resistant strains: Renaissance of antimicrobial essential oils as a promising force to fight hospital-acquired infections.” Journal of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, May 25, 2009.

Caelli, M., Porteous, J., et al. “Tea tree oil as an alternative topical decolonization agent for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.” Journal of Hospital Infection 46, (2000): 236-7.

Lehrner, J., Marwinski, G., et al. “Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental office.” Physiology and Behavior 86, (2005): 92-5.

Field, T., Field, T., et al. “Lavender bath oil reduces stress and crying and enhances sleep in very young infants.” Early Human Development 84, (2008): 399-401.

Spirling, L.I., and I.R. Daniels. “Botanical perspectives on health peppermint: more than just an after-dinner mint.” The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health 121, (2001): 62-3.

Kite, S., Maher, E., et al. “Development of an aromatherapy service at a cancer centre.” Palliative Medicine 12, (1998): 171-80.

Maddocks-Jennings, W., and Jenny M. Wilkinson. “Aromatherapy practice in nursing: literature review.” Journal of Advanced Nursing 48, (2004): 93-103.

Baratta, M.T., Dorman, H.J., Stanley, G.D., et al. “Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of some commercial essential oils.” Flavour and Fragrance Journal 13 (1998): 235-44.

Nakamura, A., Fujiwara, S., Matsumoto, I., et al. “Stress repression in restrained rats by (R)-(-)-Linalool inhalation and gene expression profiling of their whole blood cells.” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 57, no 12 (2009): 5480-85.

Warnke, P.H., Sherry, E., et al. “Antibacterial essential oils in malodorous cancer patients: clinical observations in 30 patients.” Phytomedicine 13, (2006): 463-7.

Eccles, R., Griffiths, D.H., et al. “The effects of D and L isomers of menthol upon nasal sensation of airflow.” The Journal of Laryngology and Otology 102, (1988): 506-8.

Warnke, P.H., Becker, S.T., et al. “The battle against multi-resistant strains: Renaissance of antimicrobial essential oils as a promising force to fight hospital-acquired infections.” Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery 37, (2009): 392-7.

Brady, A., Loughlin, R., et al. “In Vitro activity of tea-tree oil against clinical skin isolates of miticillin-resistant and sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci growing planktonically and as biofilms.” Journal of Medical Microbiology 55, (2006): 1375-80.

Caelli, M., Porteous, J., et al. “Tea tree oil as an alternative topical decolonization agent for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.” Journal of Hospital Infection 46, (2000): 236-7.

Groves, Bob. “Healing’s Sweet Scent.” The Record August 1, 2006.

Edwards-Jones, V., Buck, R., et al. “The effect of essential oils on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus using a dressing model.” Burns 30, (2004): 772-7.

Modern Essentials A Contemporary Guide to The Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils, Spanish Fork, UT: Abundant Health, LLC. (2009)  6-18

David K. Hill, DC., Nature’s Living Energy: A Personal Guide to Using Essential Oils. Sound Concepts (2007) 59-71

D. Gary Young, ND., Essential Oils Integrative Medical Guide. Essential Science Publishing (2003)  1-27, 44-45

David Stewart, Ph.D., D.N.M., The Chemistry of Essential Oils Made Simple.  Care Publications (2005) 6-10, 51, 
doTERRA Intl, LLC. “Essential Oils and Healthcare” Orem, UT (2009) 1-10

Robins, Jo L. Wheeler, R.N., M.S., A.N.P.  “The Science and Art of Aromatherapy”. Journal of 

Holistic Nursing.  http://jhn.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abtract/17/1/5 (1999) 5-6, 14

BBC NEWS.  “Essential oils ‘combat superbug’”.  http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/6471475.stm (2007) 1

BBC NEWS. “Aromatherapy oils ‘kill superbug’”.  http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/4116053.stm (2004) 1-2

McUsic, Teresa. “Fort Worth Hospital Incorporates Aromatherapy”.  http://news.nurse.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080728/SC02/107280044 (2008) 1-2


Click Here to Read:  Essential Oils a Scam? Part 1
Click Here to Read:  Essential Oils a Scam? Part 2