Lavender Essential Oils (LEO) as Adjunctive Therapy for Cognitive Disorders: A Study of Dopaminergic and Olfactory Pathways
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61194/jhlqr.v5i2.783Keywords:
Lavender Essential Oil, Gangguan Kognitif, Jalur Dopaminergik, Neuroplastisitas, Olfaktori, Linalool, Depresi, SkizofreniaAbstract
Cognitive impairment is a hallmark of several psychiatric disorders, including depression and schizophrenia, and is frequently associated with disruptions in dopaminergic signaling and neuroplasticity. These cognitive deficits, affecting attention, memory, and executive functions, often persist despite pharmacological treatment. Emerging evidence suggests that non-pharmacological interventions, such as aromatherapy, may offer novel pathways to enhance cognitive function. This systematic review investigates the therapeutic potential of Lavender Essential Oil (LEO) as an adjunctive treatment, focusing on its capacity to modulate dopaminergic transmission and stimulate olfactory pathways. LEO contains bioactive compounds primarily linalool and linalyl acetate which have demonstrated neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and neuromodulatory effects. Through interaction with the ERK/MAPK signaling cascade and upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), LEO enhances synaptogenesis and neuroplasticity. Additionally, olfactory stimulation by LEO promotes increased alpha and theta brainwave activity, which is associated with improved focus and memory encoding. The reviewed studies highlight both preclinical and clinical evidence supporting LEO’s role in cognitive restoration. However, while promising, further high-quality clinical trials are needed to determine standardized dosages, delivery methods, and long-term safety. Integrating LEO into multimodal cognitive therapy frameworks may present a compelling complement to conventional treatments, particularly for patients with treatment-resistant cognitive symptoms.Cognitive impairment is a hallmark of several psychiatric disorders, including depression and schizophrenia, and is frequently associated with disruptions in dopaminergic signaling and neuroplasticity. These cognitive deficits, affecting attention, memory, and executive functions, often persist despite pharmacological treatment. Emerging evidence suggests that non-pharmacological interventions, such as aromatherapy, may offer novel pathways to enhance cognitive function. This systematic review investigates the therapeutic potential of Lavender Essential Oil (LEO) as an adjunctive treatment, focusing on its capacity to modulate dopaminergic transmission and stimulate olfactory pathways. LEO contains bioactive compounds primarily linalool and linalyl acetate which have demonstrated neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and neuromodulatory effects. Through interaction with the ERK/MAPK signaling cascade and upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), LEO enhances synaptogenesis and neuroplasticity. Additionally, olfactory stimulation by LEO promotes increased alpha and theta brainwave activity, which is associated with improved focus and memory encoding. The reviewed studies highlight both preclinical and clinical evidence supporting LEO’s role in cognitive restoration. However, while promising, further high-quality clinical trials are needed to determine standardized dosages, delivery methods, and long-term safety. Integrating LEO into multimodal cognitive therapy frameworks may present a compelling complement to conventional treatments, particularly for patients with treatment-resistant cognitive symptoms.
References
Algristian, H., Azizah, N., Fitriyah, F. K., Khamida, K., Hidaayah, N., & Yahya, D. (2022). Protective effect of lavender essential oils on depression and multi organ stress. Bali Med J, 11(3), 1357–1363. https://doi.org/doi:
Alpiah, D. N., Taufiq, M., & Nurlaili, D. (2024). Risk assessment and patient safety in physiotherapy practice: A comprehensive analysis of factors contributing to patient falls. Medicor J Health Inform Health Policy, 2(3), 73–90. https://journal.idscipub.com/medicor/article/view/207
Benedetto, A. (2023). Lavender oil and EEG: Neuroelectric responses to aromatherapy in anxiety and cognition. Neuropsychobiology, 82(3), 195–204. https://doi.org/10.1159/000527401
But, V. M., Mahzuni, L., Puspitasari, S., & Yusuf, A. (2025). Therapeutic effects of lavender oil on streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus and experimental thrombosis. Antioxidants (Basel, 14(2). https://doi.org/doi:
Chen, X. (2023). Lavender essential oil modulates BDNF and synaptic proteins in hippocampal neurons. Brain Res Bull, 200(109308). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.109308
Cho, S. (2021). The effect of lavender inhalation on depression and memory in elderly women. Geriatr Nurs, 42(1), 67–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2020.08.006
Cui, J., Zhang, L., Lin, S., Wu, Y., & Liu, Y. (2022). Inhalation aromatherapy via brain targeted nasal delivery: Natural volatiles or essential oils on mood disorders. Front Pharmacol, 13(860043). https://doi.org/doi:
Damiescu, R., Lee, D. Y. W., & Efferth, T. (2022). Can essential oils provide an alternative adjuvant therapy for COVID 19 infections and pain management at the same time? Pharmaceuticals (Basel, 15(11). https://doi.org/doi:
Destra, E., Firmansyah, Y., & Hendsun. (2023). Lasting Power of Attorney – Provision Contemplating Help to Die: West and East (Indonesia) Perspective. Medicor J Health Inform Health Policy, 1(1), 41–50. https://doi.org/doi:
Eissa, N. (2021). The role of the ERK/MAPK pathway in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Front Cell Neurosci, 15(683505). https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2021.683505
Horváth, A., Bagyánszki, M., Kéki, S., Papp, M., Pintér, S., & Bencsik, P. (2022). Anti inflammatory effects of lavender and eucalyptus essential oils on the in vitro cell culture model of bladder pain syndrome using T24 cells. BMC Complement Med Ther, 22(119). https://doi.org/doi:
Hu, D., Gao, J., Yang, X., & Liang, Y. (2021). Chinese Pharmacopoeia revisited: A review of anti depression herbal sources. Nat Prod Commun, 16(12), 1–18. https://doi.org/doi:
Jalali, M. (2021). Linalool exposure improves spatial memory and alters dopamine activity in rat models. Neurosci Lett, 763(136238). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136238
Jartarkar SR, S., S, P., D, G., & A. (2021). Pathogenesis, immunology, and management of dermatophytosis. J Fungi, 8(1). https://doi.org/doi:
Kang, H. Y. (2020). Olfactory stimulation and cognitive function in older adults: The impact of lavender aroma. J Altern Complement Med, 26(3), 235–242. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2019.0277
Koulivand, P. H. (2019). Essential oils and cognition: A review. Neurobiol Learn Mem, 165(107134). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nlm.2019.107134
Laila, F. N., Algristian, H., & Azizah, N. (2023). Case Study: Prognosis of Recurrent Depressive Disorder with Somatic Symptoms. Int Islamic Med J, 5(1), 16–23. https://doi.org/doi:
Lee, J. H. (2022). Effect of lavender aromatherapy on EEG brainwaves and cognitive test performance in students. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074161
Lee, Y. J. (2020). Olfactory receptor expression in psychiatric disease and potential therapeutic targets. Mol Psychiatry, 25, 2724–2733. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-020-0675-4
Leong, W. H., Lai, K. S., & Lim, S. E. (2021). Combination therapy involving Lavandula angustifolia and its derivatives in exhibiting antimicrobial properties and combatting antimicrobial resistance: Current challenges and future prospects. Processes, 9(4). https://doi.org/doi:
Lin, L. Y. (2023). Modulation of inflammation and cognitive function through lavender essential oil inhalation. Front Aging Neurosci, 15(1180320). https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2023.1180320
Musami, U. B., Aliyu, D., Ibrahim, M., Yusuf, H., & Musa, M. A. (2024). Anxiety disorders among children and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS attending anti retroviral clinics in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Medicor J Health Inform Health Policy, 2(1), 33–50. https://doi.org/doi:
Peng, S., Zhou, Y., Lu, M., & Wang, Q. (2022). Review of herbal medicines for the treatment of depression. Nat Prod Commun, 17(11), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578X221139082
Yee, G., & Al Aboud, A. M. (2023). Tinea Corporis. In StatPearls. Treasure Island. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431082/
Yoo, O., & Park, S. A. (2023). Anxiety reducing effects of lavender essential oil inhalation: A systematic review. Healthcare (Basel, 11(22), 10 3390 11222978. https://doi.org/doi:(1)
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Syalsabila Yumnaningtyas Hermanto, Hafid Algristian
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
