The Effects of Lavender Essential Oil Inhalation on Heart Rate Recovery and EEG Patterns in College Students Post Exercise-Induced Stress
Advisor(s)
Rema Suniga
r-suniga@onu.edu
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
11-4-2025 10:00 AM
End Date
11-4-2025 10:50 AM
Abstract
Limited research has investigated the impact of lavender essential oil on heart rate (HR) and electroencephalogram (EEG) recovery from stress among college students, ages 18-24. In this study, 36 college participants (18 male; 18 female) induced stress by physical exercise that increased heart rate to over 100 bpm for at least 10 seconds. Baseline heart rate and EEG activity (alpha and beta waves) were measured prior to exercise and immediately after a 2-3 minute lavender oil exposure. The lavender group inhaled 5 drops (0.1 mL/drop) of lavender oil on a cotton ball 5 cm away from the nose. Heart rate recovery time (expressed as % difference from pre-stress condition) and EEG amplitude and frequency were analyzed between control (n=18; M=9; F=9) and lavender (n=18; M=9; F=9) groups. Percent difference of experimental (10.59%) and control (25.66%) for heart rate recovery indicated the lavender group returned closer to baseline. Two-way t-test identified alpha amplitude with significant difference between experimental and control groups, 5 minutes post-exercise and initially post-inhalation (p
Recommended Citation
Scott, Makayla; Shafer, Katrina; Coleman, Ivy; and Ohler, Masyn, "The Effects of Lavender Essential Oil Inhalation on Heart Rate Recovery and EEG Patterns in College Students Post Exercise-Induced Stress" (2025). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 4.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2025/Posters/4
Open Access
Available to all.
The Effects of Lavender Essential Oil Inhalation on Heart Rate Recovery and EEG Patterns in College Students Post Exercise-Induced Stress
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Limited research has investigated the impact of lavender essential oil on heart rate (HR) and electroencephalogram (EEG) recovery from stress among college students, ages 18-24. In this study, 36 college participants (18 male; 18 female) induced stress by physical exercise that increased heart rate to over 100 bpm for at least 10 seconds. Baseline heart rate and EEG activity (alpha and beta waves) were measured prior to exercise and immediately after a 2-3 minute lavender oil exposure. The lavender group inhaled 5 drops (0.1 mL/drop) of lavender oil on a cotton ball 5 cm away from the nose. Heart rate recovery time (expressed as % difference from pre-stress condition) and EEG amplitude and frequency were analyzed between control (n=18; M=9; F=9) and lavender (n=18; M=9; F=9) groups. Percent difference of experimental (10.59%) and control (25.66%) for heart rate recovery indicated the lavender group returned closer to baseline. Two-way t-test identified alpha amplitude with significant difference between experimental and control groups, 5 minutes post-exercise and initially post-inhalation (p