Aromatherapy in Hospitals and Palliative Care
What systematic reviews found for aromatherapy after surgery, during cancer treatment, for procedure anxiety and in palliative care, and why it is supportive care, not a cure.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read essential oil safety before you use anything on this page.
Quick answer
In hospitals and palliative care, aromatherapy is used as supportive care next to standard treatment, mainly to ease symptoms such as nausea, anxiety and pain. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) says it is used with standard medical treatments for symptom management. [1] Reviews report some benefit for nausea after surgery and anxiety, but the evidence is low in quality, and it does not treat or cure disease. This page is information only. Speak with your care team before using any oil in or near a hospital room.
What the research found
Labels are ours: "promising but limited" means reviews report benefit but rate the studies as small, varied or low in certainty.| Use | What the source found | Evidence label | Population and form studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea and vomiting after surgery | A 2026 meta-analysis of 13 randomized trials (1294 patients) found lower nausea scores in the first 24 hours, less use of rescue anti-nausea medicine and fewer cases of any nausea, retching or vomiting. It noted safety outcomes were not systematically assessed. [2] A 2024 review found nausea severity fell but the reduction in vomiting episodes was not statistically significant, and rated certainty of evidence as low. [3] | Promising but limited | Adults after surgery; form of aromatherapy not specified in the abstracts we read |
| Nausea and vomiting with chemotherapy | A systematic review of 11 studies found benefit in 7 of 9 adult studies using direct or dry inhalation, but no benefit from atmospheric diffusion or in children. [4] NIH summarizes a 2024 review in which inhaled peppermint oil was particularly successful. [5] | Promising but limited | People with cancer; inhaled |
| Anxiety and depression in cancer | A 2022 meta-analysis found lower anxiety and depression scores, but study quality was low, placebo also appeared effective in some studies, and it concluded the literature does not yet support clinical implementation. [6] | Mixed | People with cancer; inhaled and massage |
| Pain and quality of life in cancer | A 2024 meta-analysis found improved quality of life but no statistically significant effect on pain. [7] | Mixed | People with cancer; aromatherapy often with massage |
| Anxiety and pain during needle procedures | A 2025 meta-analysis of 9 studies found less pain and anxiety, with high heterogeneity and methodological limitations. [8] | Promising but limited | Adults having needle-related procedures |
| Treating the illness itself | The NCI summary says no studies of aromatherapy used to treat cancer have been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. [1] | Proper evidence not found | Searched: NCI PDQ summary, PubMed reviews |
Individual trials described by NCI show how mixed the picture is. In a trial of 313 patients having radiation therapy, no differences in anxiety or depression were reported between lavender, bergamot and cedarwood oils. [1] In children and adolescents having stem cell infusions, bergamot oil was not effective in reducing nausea, anxiety or pain in a double-blind trial of 37. [1] Women having breast biopsies who received a lavender-sandalwood scent tab had less anxiety than those who received an orange-peppermint tab or no scent. [1]
Palliative care
Effectiveness evidence for complementary therapies in advanced disease is uncertain, according to a systematic review of how people with palliative care needs experience aromatherapy, massage and reflexology. In that review of five qualitative studies in advanced cancer, people reported enhanced well-being, respite and escapism from their disease. [9] This is about experience, not about measured symptom control. For the massage side see massage in cancer care and palliative care.Why the evidence is limited
- Small, varied studies. The chemotherapy nausea review found small samples and a wide variety of oils, numbers of drops and methods. [4]
- Low quality and placebo. The cancer anxiety review rated study quality low and found placebo appeared effective in some studies. [6]
- Very low quality for massage. A Cochrane review of massage with or without aromatherapy in cancer judged the evidence very low quality. [10]
- Safety not well recorded. The after-surgery review noted safety outcomes were not systematically assessed. [2]
Related pages
Aromatherapy overview, inhalation aromatherapy, aromatherapy massage and essential oils for nausea.Frequently asked questions
Does aromatherapy help nausea after surgery?
Reviews report lower nausea scores after surgery, but one rated the certainty of the evidence low, and vomiting episodes did not fall significantly in it. [3] [2]
Can aromatherapy treat cancer?
No source we read says so. The NCI summary says no studies of aromatherapy used to treat cancer have been published in a peer-reviewed journal. [1]
Is aromatherapy used in palliative care?
Yes, as a complementary therapy. People with advanced cancer in five qualitative studies reported enhanced well-being, respite and escapism. [9] Effectiveness evidence is uncertain.
Should I use my own oils in hospital?
Ask the care team first. The sources we read do not give hospital rules, and fragranced products are reported to trigger symptoms in many people with asthma. [11]
Is aromatherapy safe for children in hospital?
Evidence is thin. A trial of bergamot oil in 37 children found no benefit, and NIH warns about peppermint oil near infants' faces. [1] [5]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety in hospitals and care settings
- Tell the team. Tell the nurse, doctor or pharmacist before using any oil, and read supplements, herbs and surgery for general points about procedures. The sources we read for this page do not describe oil-specific rules before surgery.
- Other people in the room. In a US survey, 64.3% of asthmatics reported adverse health effects from fragranced products (self-reported, not specific to essential oils). [11] See asthma and breathing problems.
- Skin. The NCI summary says allergic reactions and skin irritation may occur with long skin contact, and sun sensitivity with citrus oils. [1]
- Infants and children. NIH says peppermint oil should not be applied to the face of infants or young children. [5]
- Medicines. Poison Control says essential oils may interact with medications. [12] See medication interactions and essential oils and cancer care.
- Swallowing. Never swallow essential oils. Poison Help (US): 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 for collapse, seizure or trouble breathing. [12]
References
- Aromatherapy With Essential Oils (PDQ), Patient Version, National Cancer Institute. Read 2026-10-23.
- The effect of aromatherapy on postoperative nausea and vomiting: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Tang H et al., Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2026, PMID 42433863. Read 2026-10-23.
- Aromatherapy for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Wang JY et al., Tzu Chi Med J 2024, PMID 38993833. Read 2026-10-23.
- Effectiveness of Inhaled Aromatherapy on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review, Toniolo J et al., J Altern Complement Med 2021, PMID 34283916. Read 2026-10-23.
- Peppermint Oil: Usefulness and Safety, NCCIH (NIH). Read 2026-10-23.
- Aromatherapy with inhalation can effectively improve the anxiety and depression of cancer patients: A meta-analysis, Liu T et al., Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2022, PMID 35617792. Read 2026-10-23.
- Effects of Aromatherapy on Quality Of Life and Pain In Patients With Cancer: A Meta-Analysis, Kang H et al., J Pain Symptom Manage 2024, PMID 39053746. Read 2026-10-23.
- The Efficacy of Aromatherapy on Pain and Anxiety During Needle-Related Procedures in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Sun C et al., J Pain Res 2025, PMID 40827258. Read 2026-10-23.
- Aromatherapy, massage and reflexology: A systematic review and thematic synthesis of the perspectives from people with palliative care needs, Armstrong M et al., Palliat Med 2019, PMID 31060455. Read 2026-10-23.
- Massage with or without aromatherapy for symptom relief in people with cancer, Shin ES et al., Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016, PMID 27258432. Read 2026-10-23.
- Fragranced consumer products: effects on asthmatics, Steinemann A, Air Qual Atmos Health 2018, PMID 29391919. Read 2026-10-23.
- Essential oils: Poisonous when misused, Poison Control. Read 2026-10-23.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.