Highlights
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Stress may lead to physical diseases such as heart disease, stomach ulcers, hypertension, etc.
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Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils from plants via the skin or the olfactory system.
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One previous overview suggested that aromatherapy may reduce pain and improve psychological health.
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Five randomised clinical trials met our inclusion criteria, and most of them had high risk of bias.
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There is limited evidence suggesting that aroma inhalation may be effective in controlling stress.