Narrative review on essential oils and brain aging: Aromatherapy for cognitive health

Aging is a multifactorial process associated with cellular alterations, chronic low-functioning inflammation, oxidative stress, and progressive deterioration. In recent years, essential oils have attracted growing interest as potential modulators of these key factors due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. This review compiles and analyzes the scientific evidence available to date on the effects of various essential oils in in vitro models, preclinical studies, and clinical studies that may be related to aging. A systematic search of the scientific literature was conducted to identify relevant studies evaluating the action of these natural compounds on cellular parameters linked to aging, such as the production of reactive oxygen species, gene expression of factors important for the modulation of inflammatory pathways, cognitive effects, sleep quality, and general well-being. The results suggest that certain essential oils could contribute to mitigating aging-related processes, although more controlled, systematic scientific studies are still required to establish their efficacy, safety, and specific mechanisms of action.