精油種類與嗅聞時間對人體自律神經之影響

摘要西方醫學發展至今不到兩百年，以科學實證的角度來看，其對於人類的疾病、創傷、手術等有極大的貢獻，但藥物產生的副作用以及侵入性手術一直被人們所詬病，因此民眾愈來愈重視無毒、無傷害性的健康促進方式。近年來國人使用芳香療法的比例逐年增加，芳香療法是否能對人體自律神經產生顯著的影響已成為一般民眾與芳療業者所關注的重點。本研究目的在於探討兩種精油之嗅聞時間對人體自律神經的影響。希望能夠根據實驗結果作為一般民眾與芳療業者之參考。本研究採實驗設計，以立意取樣法進行樣本篩選。研究結果顯示(1)嗅聞薰衣草精油或檸檬精油5分鐘皆無明顯改變自律神經的現象。(2)嗅聞薰衣草精油或檸檬精油15分鐘比嗅聞5分鐘更能使自律神經活性產生明顯變化。(3)嗅聞薰衣草精油15分鐘可明顯提升副交感神經活性，亦即可達到放鬆的效果。(4)嗅聞檸檬精油15分鐘可明顯提升交感神經活性，亦即可達到提神的效果。

關鍵字

檸檬；薰衣草；芳香療法；自律神經

並列摘要

Abstract The development of medical science is less than 200 years, however it makes great contribution to the cure of diseases, the trauma treatment and surgical operation. But the side-effects of medicines and invasive treatments are highly criticized by people, and it makes people pay more and more attention to the other non-toxic and non-invasive methods. Recently aromatherapy becomes one of the methods and whether the aromatherapy can be a conspicuous influence on autonomic nervous system is highly concerned. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the sniffing time effect on the autonomic nervous system by sniffing two kinds of essential oils. The experiment is expected to be a reference for people and aromatherapists. Purposive sampling was applied for object selection. The results show that: (1) lavender or lemon essential oil has no obvious change to the autonomic nervous system after 5 minute sniffing. (2) Lavender or lemon essential oils can significantly affect autonomic nervous system activity after 15 minute sniffing compared to 5 minute sniffing. (3) The activity of parasympathetic nerve can be obviously enhanced with 15 minute sniffing lavender essential oil, which helps testee to feel relaxed. (4) The activity of sympathetic nerve can be obviously enhanced with 15 minute sniffing lemon essential oil, which helps testee to refresh themselves.