Aromatherapy is the science of using highly concentrated essential oils or essences distilled from plants to take advantage of their therapeutic properties. Essential oils or essences are obtained from various parts of plants (root, leaf, flower, bark, fruit) and used therapeutically for physical and psychological well-being.The fact that aromatherapy is a noninvasive procedure and is easy to use allows aromatherapy to be widely used . Aromatic oils can be applied in four basic ways. These are topical (touch, compress or bath), internal (mouthwash, vaginal or anal suppositories), oral (capsules or dilution in honey, alcohol or diluent) and inhalation (direct or indirect inhalation with or without steam). Essential oils, which can be applied in various ways, can directly reach the neocortex part of the brain through connections from the limbic system to the hypothalamus via odor. As a result of the effect of aromatic oils on the central nervous system, relaxation, sedation or stimulating effects occur, and thanks to the information flow reaching the brain with the stimulation of the central nervous system, the energy blockage in the body is broken and energy is released as a result. The healing process is supported by the balanced spread of the energy flow to the relevant organs, and physical and mental well-being emerges. Aromatherapy is used in many health fields as well as in womens health.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a health problem characterized by periodic physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral symptoms that occur periodically during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, ending with the onset of menstruation or with the alleviation of symptoms within a few days after the onset of menstruation. It is stated that approximately 80-95% of women complain of PMS complaints. In studies in the literature, aromatherapy with various essential oils (rose, geranium, sage, lavender) was applied to women complaining of PMS complaints and it was determined that aromatherapy application had both psychological and physical positive effects by stating that depression, anxiety, anxiety, irritability, and pain perception decreased.
Menstrual symptoms are recognized as one of the biggest problems that negatively affect the health status and quality of life among women of reproductive age worldwide. Menstrual symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, heavy menstrual bleeding and mood disorders during the premenstrual period are known to be common in the general population. Menstrual symptoms affect womens activities of daily living and quality of life. In studies in the literature, aromatherapy with various essential oils (rose, sage, ginger) was applied to women with dysmenorrhea, but no study was found in which all menstrual symptoms were measured.
Bergamot (Citrus aurantium bergamia), a small tree belonging to the Rutaceae family among citrus fruits, grows in the Mediterranean region and is especially native to the southern coast of Italy. Bergamot essential oil (BEO) is an essential oil produced by extracting the fruit from the rind by cold pressing procedure or steam distillation. Bergamot essential oil has analgesic, sleep quality enhancing, relaxation, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant effects.
Grapefruit, one of the citrus families with the largest production in the world, is famous for its taste and nutritional value, and grapefruit essential oil has antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antidepressant, anti-edema and appetite regulating effects.
Although the use of aromatherapy in womens health is widespread, no study comparing bergamot and grapefruit essential oil has been found. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of aromatherapy application with bergamot and grapefruit essential oils on premenstrual syndrome and menstrual symptoms.
