Effect of Volatile Organic Chemicals in Chrysanthemum indicum Linné on Blood Pressure and Electroencephalogram.

This study identified the volatile organic compounds in the essential oils that are extracted from <italic>Chrysanthemum indicum</italic> Linné (<italic>C. indicum</italic> Linné) and investigated the effects of the inhalation of these compounds. We detected a total of 41 volatile organic compounds, including 32 hydrocarbons, four acids, three alcohols, two ketones, and one aldehyde. In a sniffing test, seven types of volatile organic compounds were identified. Furthermore, the volatile organic compounds in <italic>C. indicum</italic> Linné that were identified were found to be derived from 1,8-cineole and camphor. After inhalation of the essential oils, the subjects’ systolic blood pressure and heart rate decreased. This indicates that inhalation of the essential oils extracted from <italic>C. indicum</italic> Linné provides mental and physical relaxation. We examined the changes in electroencephalogram findings that are observed after <italic>C. indicum</italic> Linné essential oil inhalation. An increase in theta and alpha waves, which usually appear during relaxation, as well as a decrease in beta and gamma waves, which appear during brain activity such as excessive attention, were noted. These results indicate that <italic>C. indicum</italic> Linné essential oil inhalation helps to reduce blood pressure and may provide mental and physical relaxation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]