Dergiler / CURARE Journal of Nursing / 2026 / Sayı: 8

Use of Aromatherapy in Neonatal Care: Benefits, Risks, and Nursing Practices

Büşra Kütük(Istanbul Medeniyet University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Paediatric Nursing)0009-0007-2258-1415
Özlem Akarsu(Istanbul Medeniyet University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Paediatric Nursing)0000-0001-7150-7683
Sayfa
82–88
Yayın Tarihi
2025-07-11
🏛️Bu makalenin bibliyografik verileri ve tam metin bağlantısı DergiPark üzerinden sağlanmıştır.
DergiPark Kaydı ↗
✨

Yapay Zeka Hızlı Bakış & Çıkarımlar

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(1 Cümlede Hızlı Çıkarım)

It is particularly emphasised that aromatherapy can provide benefits as a complementary method when applied under appropriate conditions, but it should never replace medical treatments.

📌 3 Maddede Bu Makale

🎯
Amaç & Hipotez:This review comprehensively evaluates the effects of aromatherapy on neonatal health based on current scientific evidence.
📊
Temel Bulgular & Veri:The potential impacts of essential oils on skin integrity, physiological development, sleep patterns, and stress management in newborns have been discussed.
💡
Sonuç & Katkı:It is particularly emphasised that aromatherapy can provide benefits as a complementary method when applied under appropriate conditions, but it should never replace medical treatments.
🔬Tür:Literatür & Derleme Çalışması
📍Kapsam:Genişletilmiş Akademik Örneklem
⚙️Değişkenler:Aromatheraphy · neonate · nursing

Abstract

This review comprehensively evaluates the effects of aromatherapy on neonatal health based on current scientific evidence. The potential impacts of essential oils on skin integrity, physiological development, sleep patterns, and stress management in newborns have been discussed. The benefits of the controlled use of oils such as lavender, chamomile, coconut, sunflower, and sesame are highlighted. In addition, the review provides detailed guidance on situations requiring caution in premature infants, possible side effects, and protocols for safe usage. Literature-based recommendations for nursing practices are presented, including key considerations during application and oils that should be avoided. It is particularly emphasised that aromatherapy can provide benefits as a complementary method when applied under appropriate conditions, but it should never replace medical treatments.

🔖

Bu Makaleye Atıf Yap

Kütük, B., Savaş, E. H., Akarsu, Ö. (2025). Use of Aromatherapy in Neonatal Care: Benefits, Risks, and Nursing Practices. CURARE Journal of Nursing, Sayı: 8, 82–88. https://doi.org/10.26650/CURARE.2025.1690649

📄 Tam Metin PDF Okuyucu

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

Kaynakça (46)

  1. 1 Tayfun K. Aromaterapi. Biyoteknolojik ve Stratejik Sağlık Araştırmaları Dergisi 2019;3:67-73. google scholar
  2. 2 Pace S. Essential oils in hospitals: The ethics, safety, cost and application of clinical aromatherapy [İnternet]. Available from: https://tisserandinstitute.org/ essential-oils-in-hospitals/. Accessed 30 March 2025. google scholar
  3. 3 Ramsey JT, Shropshire BC, NagY TR, Chambers KD, Li Y, Korach KS. Essential oils and health. Yale J Biol Med 2020;93(2):291-305. google scholar
  4. 4 Ness MJ, Davis DM, CareY WA. Neonatal skin care: a concise review. İnt J Dermatol 2013;52(1):14-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05687.x google scholar
  5. 5 Razaghi N, Aemmi SZ, Sadat Hoseini AS, Boskabadi H, Mohebbi T, Ramezani M. The effectiveness of familiar olfactorY stimulation with lavender scent and glucose on the pain of blood sampling in term neonates: A randomised controlled clinical trial. Complement Ther Med 2020;49:102289. doi: 10.1016/ j.ctim.2019.102289 google scholar
  6. 6 Maya-Enero S, Fâbregas-Mitjans M, Llufriu-Marques RM, Candel-Pau J, Garcia-Garcia J, Löpez-Vîlchez MÂ. Analgesic effect of inhaled lavender essential oil for frenotomY in healthY neonates: a randomised clinical trial. World J Pediatr. 2022;18(6):398-403. doi: 10.1007/s12519-022-00531-7 google scholar
  7. 7 Rustaee S, Rezapour-Nasrabad R, Ghazanfarpour M, Piri S, Moosavi Moqaddam SF, Behdarvandi A, Kafami Ladani F et al. The effects of aroma on apnoea attacks and oxYgen saturation among preterm ınfants: a sYstematic review and meta-analYsis: Galen Med J 2023;12:e2846. doi: 10.31661/gmj.v12i.2846 google scholar
  8. 8 SattaYakhom A, Wichit S, Koomhin P. The effects of essential oils on the nervous sYstem: a scoping review. Molecules 2023;28(9):3771. doi: 10.3390/ molecules28093771 google scholar
  9. 9 Da Silveira e Sâ RDC. Cancer and aromatherapY: a view of how the use of essential oils applies to palliative care. İn: Bioactive Essential Oils and Cancer. London: İntechOpen; 2015. 251-66. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-19144-7_13 google scholar
  10. 10 Şar S, Kahya E, Ataç A. Aromaterapinin tarihçesi ve bu alanda kullanılan tıbbi bitkilerden örnekler. Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Tıp Tarihi Folklorik Tıp Dergisi 2011;32-33. google scholar
  11. 11 Goldberg L. Massage and aromatherapy. Cheltenham (UK): Nelson Thornes; 2001. google scholar
  12. 12 Alparslan Ö. Baby massage and massage oils: Are theY safe?. Pediatr Pract Res 2022;10(1):32-7. doi: 10.21765/pprjournal.1030271 google scholar
  13. 13 Fallah R, Akhavan Karbasi S, Golestan M, Fromandi M. Sunflower oil versus no oil moderate pressure massage leads to greater increases in weight in preterm neonates that are low birth weight. EarlY Hum Dev 2013;89(9):769-72. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2013.06.002 google scholar
  14. 14 Salehipoor H, Afzali B, Akrami R, Ghorat F, Niktabe Z, Sahebkar M. Effect of topical chamomile oil (Matricaria chamomile L.) as a supplementarY method on colic sYmptoms in infants: A randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial. İranian Journal of NeonatologY 2019;10(1):15-22. doi: 10.22038/ijn.2019.32270.1448 google scholar
  15. 15 Li X, Zhong Q, Tang L. A meta-analYsis of the efficacY and safetY of using oil massage to promote infant growth. J Pediatr Nurs 2016;31(5):e313-22. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2016.04.003 google scholar
  16. 16 Pupala SS, Rao S, Strunk T, Patole S. Topical application of coconut oil to the skin of preterm infants: a systematic review. Eur J Pediatr 2019;178(9):1317-24. doi: 10.1007/s00431-019-03407-7 google scholar
  17. 17 Nangia S, Paul VK, Deorari AK, Sreenivas V, Agarwal R, Chawla D. Topical oil application and trans-epidermal water loss in preterm very low birth weight infants: a randomised trial. J Trop Pediatr 2015;61:414-20. doi: 10.1093/tropej/ fmv049 google scholar
  18. 18 Salam RA, Das JK, Darmstadt GL, Bhutta ZA. Emollient therapy for preterm newborn infants-evidence from the developing world. BMC Public Health 2013;13(3):S31. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-S3-S31 google scholar
  19. 19 Strunk T, Pupala S, Hibbert J, Doherty D, Patole S. Topical coconut oil in very preterm infants: An open-label randomised controlled trial. Neonatology 2018;113(2):146-51. doi: 10.1159/000480538 google scholar
  20. 20 Field T, Field T, Cullen C, Largie S, Diego M, Schanberg S, Kuhn C. Lavender bath oil reduces stress and crying and enhances sleep in very infants. Early Hum Dev 2008;84(6):399-401. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2007.10.008 google scholar
  21. 21 Başdaş Ö, Özbey H, Oğul G, Güneş T. Effects of aromatherapy on the pain, stress, and behaviours of newborns: a randomised controlled trial. Altern Ther Health Med 2024;30(12):43-7. PMID: 39480678 google scholar
  22. 22 Maddocks W. Aromatherapy in Nursing and Midwifery Practice: A Scoping Review of Published Studies Since 2005. J Holist Nurs 2023 Mar;41(1):62-89. doi: 10.1177/08980101221078736. google scholar
  23. 23 Re LG, Aloia V, Rippa SC, Cartabia C, Tommasi V, Ripari C et al. Efficacy of aromatherapy on children: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Qeios 2025 Mar 25. doi: 10.32388/PU2R0A. google scholar
  24. 24 Usta C, Tanyeri-Bayraktar B, Bayraktar S. Pain control with lavender oil in premature infants: A double-blind randomised controlled study. J Altern Complement Med 2021;27(2):136-41. doi: 10.1097/10.1089/acm.2020.0327 google scholar
  25. 25 Vaziri F, Khosropoor M, Hidari M, Pourahmad S, Morshed Behbahani B, Saki F. The effect of aromatherapy with lavender oil on infant vaccination pain: a double blind randomised controlled trial. J Caring Sci 2019;8(1):17-21. doi: 10.15171/jcs.2019.003 google scholar
  26. 26 Çetinkaya B, Başbakkal Z. The effectiveness of aromatherapy massage using lavender oil as a treatment for infantile colic. Int J Nurs Pract 2012;18(2):164-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-172X.2012.02015.x google scholar
  27. 27 Afriyanti D. Effects of baby massage using lavender aromatherapy in fulfilment of sleep need among babies aged 6-12 months in the working area Nilam Sari Health Centre Bukittinggi in 2017. Journal of Midwifery 2018;3(1). doi: 10.25077/ jom.1.1.13-24.2018 google scholar
  28. 28 Gao H, Xu G, Li F, Lv H, Rong H, Mi Y et al. Effect of combined pharmacological, behavioural, and physical interventions for procedural pain on salivary cortisol and eurobehavioral development in preterm infants: a randomised controlled trial. Pain 2021;162(1):253-62. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002015 google scholar
  29. 29 Gursul D. Improving the measurement and treatment of infant pain (dissertation). Oxford (UK): University of Oxford; 2019. google scholar
  30. 30 Jodie F, Anna K, Ursula W. Effectiveness of music therapy, aromatherapy, and massage therapy on patients in palliative care with end-of-life needs: a systematic review. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2025;69(1):102-113. doi: 10.1016/ j.jpainsymman.2024 google scholar
  31. 31 Nishitani S, Miyamura T, Tagawa M, Sumi M, Takase R, Doi H et al. The calming effect of a maternal breast milk odor on the human newborn infant. Neurosci Res 2009;63(1):66-71. doi: 10.1016/j.neures.2008.10.007 google scholar
  32. 32 Alemdar DK. Effect of recorded maternal voice, breast milk odor, and incubator cover on pain and comfort during peripheral cannulation in preterm infants. Appl Nurs Res 2018;40:1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.apnr.2017.12.001 google scholar
  33. 33 Pljevljakusica D, Kostadinovic S, Velickovska V, Mihajlov L, Cerepnalkovski A. Chemical composition and biological activity of lavandin and lavender essential oils. La Rivista Italiana delle Sostanze Grasse 2023;100(2):91-100. google scholar
  34. 34 Arbianingsih A, Amal AA, Hidayah N, Azhari N, Tahir T. Massage with lavender aromatherapy reduced sleep disturbances in infant. Enfermerıa Clınica 2020;30(1):62-5. doi: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2019.12.028 google scholar
  35. 35 Eissler AB, Stoffel L, Nelle M, Hahn S, Zwakhalen S. Pain responses in preterm infants and parental stress over repeated painful procedures: a randomised pilot trial. J Matern Neonatal Med 2023;36(1):2183753. doi:10.1080/14767058.2022.2069481 google scholar
  36. 36 Aksucu G, Azak M, Çağlar S. Effects of topical oils on neonatal skin: A systematic review. Adv Skin Wound Care 2022;35(12):1-9. doi: 10.1097/01.ASW.0000891088.69828.2e google scholar
  37. 37 Priyadarshi M, Balachander B, Gupta S, Sankar MJ. Topical emollient application in term healthy newborns: A systematic review. J Glob Health 2022;12:12002.doi: 10.7189/jogh.12.12002 google scholar
  38. 38 Kuller JM. Infant skin care products: What are the issues? Adv Neonatal Care 2016;16(5):3-12. doi: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000000341 google scholar
  39. 39 Getaneh FB, Mohammed A, Belete AG, Muche A, Ayres A, Asmamaw Y et al. Effect of topical emollient oil application on the weight of preterm newborns: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2024;19(5):e0302969. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302969 google scholar
  40. 40 Tiryaki Ö, Zengin H, Çınar N, Karabay M, Caner İ, Güçlü E. Comparison of coconut and sunflower seed oils in improving the skin integrity and weight gain of infants in the neonatal ICU. Adv Skin Wound Care 2024;37(11-12):1-8. doi: 10.1097/ ASW.0000000000000241. google scholar
  41. 41 Cooke A, Cork M, Victor S, Campbell M, Danby S, Chittock J et al. Olive oil, sunflower oil or no oil for baby dry skin or massage: A pilot, assessor-blinded, randomised controlled trial (the Oil in Baby SkincaRE [OBSeRvE] Study). Acta Derm Venereol 2016;96(3):323-30. doi: 10.2340/00015555-2279 google scholar
  42. 42 Shah KM, Goldman SE, Agim NG. Airborne contact dermatitis caused by essential oils in a child. Dermatitis 2019;30(1):79-80. doi: 10.1097/ DER.0000000000000430 google scholar
  43. 43 Dhar S, Banerjee R, Malakar R. Oil massage in babies: Indian perspectives. Indian J Paediatr Dermatol 2013;14(1-2):1-3. https://doi.org/10.4103/2319-7250. 116838 google scholar
  44. 44 Koca Çalışkan U, MancaK M. Essential oils as skin permeation boosters and their predicted effect mechanisms. Journal of Dermatology and Skin Science 2020;2(3):24-30. google scholar
  45. 45 Çelik, M. Y., Sungur, M., & Karasu, F. (2021). Complementary therapy methods used in children and COVID-19. Lifelong Nursing Journal, 2(1), 85-95. google scholar
  46. 46 Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Health. (2014). Regulation on traditional and complementary medicine practices. Official Gazette, 28935, published on October 25, 2014. google scholar