Ambient odor of orange in a dental office reduces anxiety and improves mood in female patients

Essential oils have been used as remedies for a long time in different cult ures across the world. However, scientific proof of such application is sca rce. We included 72 patients between the ages of 22 and 57 while waiting fo r dental treatment in our study. The participants were assigned to either a control group (14 men, 23 women) or to an odor group (18 men and 17 women) . Ambient odor of orange was diffused in the waiting room through an electr ical dispenser in the odor group whereas in the control group no odor was i n the air. We assessed by means of self-report demographic and cognitive va riables, trait and state anxiety, and current pain, mood, alertness, and ca lmness. In this study, we report that exposure to ambient odor of orange ha s a relaxant effect. Specifically, compared to the controls, women who were exposed to orange odor had a lower level of state anxiety, a more positive mood, and a higher level of calmness. Our data support the previous notion of sedative properties of the natural essential oil of orange (Citrus sine nsis). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.