¹Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Center of Pharmacy, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Correspondence: Dr E Heuberger, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Center of Pharmacy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. Tel: +43 1 4277 55160; Fax: +43 1 4277 9551; E-mail: eva.heuberger@univie.ac.at

Received 27 October 2003; Revised 20 April 2004; Accepted 4 June 2004; Published online 7 July 2004.

Abstract

Essential lavender oil has a long tradition as a mild sedative in herbal medicine. Relaxing effects after inhalation have also been demonstrated for one of its main constituents, (-)-linalool. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the effects of this monoterpenoid alcohol on human physiological parameters (blood oxygen saturation, breathing rate, eye-blink rate, pulse rate, skin conductance, skin temperature, surface electromyogram as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure) and assessments of subjective well-being. (-)-Linalool was applied to 14 healthy subjects by percutaneous administration. Inhalation of the fragrance was prevented by means of breathing masks. (-)-Linalool induced deactivation with respect to physiology, that is, a decrease of systolic blood pressure and a smaller decrease of skin temperature, compared to a corresponding control group receiving a placebo, but had no effects on subjective evaluation of well-being.