Bibliometric analysis and research trends of publications on the effects of lavender essential oil for aromatherapy and mental health

Aromatherapy is a natural treatment method that utilizes essential oils extracted from aromatic plants. The lavender plant (Lavandula angustifolia) contains substances that can inhibit bacterial growth, such as linalool and linalyl acetate. The search results show that linalool and linalyl acetate, components of lavender essential oil, can provide anti-anxiety effects and play a role in relaxation. This research has significance in the context of developing natural medicine through aromatherapy. A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on the effects of lavender essential oil on anxiety found that oral administration of the oil was effective in treating anxiety, while inhalation showed its potential to reduce anxiety. Additionally, linalyl acetate has been shown to have anti-anxiety and anti-stress effects, as evidenced by a decrease in anxiety visual analog scale (VAS) and stress levels in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. This article provides a systematic overview of the productivity and visibility of aromatherapy research over the past two decades, focusing on the number of articles published and the number of citations. The majority of articles were written in English, and China was the leading country in the number of articles published. The article that received the highest number of citations was published at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The findings of this study can be used to organize and prioritize future research efforts in aromatherapy research.