The Effect of Inhaling an Essential Oil Compound Containing Eupatorium fortunei Turcz: A Pilot Study

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of essential oils mainly containing Eupatorium fortune Turcz (EFCO, E. fortune Turcz extract, water calamus extract, grapefruit extract, lavender extract, mixed in the ratio of 6:1:1:1:0.1 by volume) on heart rate variability (HRV), forced vital capacity (FVC), and salivary hormones in 33 scientific researchers. The experimental design was a quasi‐experimental study with pre‐ and post‐testing and no control group. Subjects were tested for four immediate indicators before and after essential oils inhalation, for 30 s before each meal for the next 30 days, and for body mass index (BMI) after 30 days. For immediate effects, we observed significant increases in HRV (31%), spirometry (12%) and salivary oxytocin (26%), and a decrease in salivary cortisol (4.5%). BMI decreased by 1% after 1 month of intervention. Based on the observed changes in physiological parameters, EFCO helped to reduce stress, improve exercise performance and mood, and even promote weight loss. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.