Integration of Aromatherapy and Essential Oils in Asthma Symptom Relief: A Narrative Review

Asthma affects 262 million people globally, causing 455,000 preventable deaths, with higher mortality in low-resource areas due to limited diagnosis and treatment. Aromatherapy, using bioactive essential oils (EOs), has emerged as a promising complementary approach for asthma symptom management.

This review synthesizes the current evidence on the therapeutic potential of EOs in alleviating asthma-related inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and immune dysregulation through anti-inflammatory, bronchodilatory, and immunomodulatory mechanisms.

Key oils such as lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint demonstrate efficacy in reducing airway hyperresponsiveness, oxidative stress, and Th2-mediated inflammation, supported by preclinical and clinical studies. Methods of application, including inhalation, topical use, and environmental diffusion, are evaluated for their physiological and psychological benefits, particularly in stress and sleep modulation, which are critical to asthma control. Safety considerations, such as allergenicity, proper dosing, and potential drug interactions, are emphasized to ensure safe integration with conventional therapies.

Despite the promising findings, further large-scale clinical trials are needed to validate the efficacy, optimize protocols, and explore personalized approaches based on genetic and phenotypic variability. This review underscores aromatherapy's role as an adjunctive therapy within a holistic asthma management framework, bridging traditional knowledge with contemporary scientific validation to improve patient outcomes.