Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2026
Therapeutic Massage for Psychological Well-being in Geriatric Oncology
Published on: May 22, 2026
Effect of chamomile aromatherapy on pain and anxiety management in hospital settings: A scoping review
Maria Améllia Lopes Cabral1, Samia Valeria Ozorio Dutra2, Karena Cristina da Silva Leal1
1Department of Nursing, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil.
Introduction:
Inadequate management of pain and anxiety can prolong hospitalization and increase healthcare costs. Integrative and Complementary Health Practices (ICHP) emerge as safe, accessible, and easily applied alternatives or complements to conventional treatments. Aromatherapy utilizing chamomile essential oil is highlighted for its sedative, anxiolytic, and analgesic properties.
Objective:
To map the existing knowledge regarding the use of chamomile essential oil aromatherapy in the management of pain and anxiety in hospitalized patients within hospital settings.
Method:
A scoping review was conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines and reported following the PRISMA-ScR checklist.
Results:
Seventeen studies were included in this review. The literature is predominantly recent (2020-2025) and geographically concentrated in Iran (41.1%). The most frequently represented clinical settings were obstetrics and cardiology (29.4% each). The most evaluated outcomes were anxiety and pain; reductions in these symptoms were reported in 58.8% and 41.1% of the studies, respectively. Chamomile demonstrated efficacy in consistently reducing anxiety, as well as a mild yet significant analgesic effect. Furthermore, the intervention resulted in improved vital signs and hemodynamic stability, with a reduction in heart rate and blood pressure in cardiac patients. German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) was the most cited species. No significant adverse events were reported in the studies, reinforcing the favorable safety profile of chamomile.
Conclusion:
Aromatherapy with chamomile essential oil presents promising results in the management of pain and anxiety in hospital environments, as well as in the improvement of vital signs.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Cholinergic Antagonists: Therapeutic Uses
Respiratory Tract: Ipratropium, aclidinium, and tiotropium treat asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They protect against bronchoconstriction caused by irritants like cigarette smoke, sulfur dioxide, and ozone. They also help reduce nasopharyngeal...
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
01:26Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic...
01:23Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
01:20Angina V: Nursing Management
01:25Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques III
The Role of Exercise in Stress Management
Regular physical activity is essential for reducing stress and promoting cardiovascular health. Exercise strengthens the heart, enhances blood flow, keeps blood vessels flexible, and helps lower blood pressure, all of which reduce the body's stress response. Research shows that adults who exercise regularly have nearly half the...