Key trends and focus areas in aromatherapy research on women’s health: A bibliometric analysis (1994–2025 years)

This study aimed to examine global research trends and key research areas in aromatherapy and women's health. Search terms and synonyms related to women's health and aromatherapy were identified from the literature and incorporated into the search strategy. A standardized search of the Web of Science database conducted on July 22, 2025, identified 277 studies, of which 159 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. The articles were analyzed using RStudio (Version 1.4.1717) and the "biblioshiny for bibliometrix" application. The PRISMA 2020 checklist was utilized to guide the reporting process in this study. The retrieved publications comprised 159 full-text English-language articles published between 1994 and 2025 across 100 journals. Publication output peaked in 2018, while citations reached their highest level in 2024, with an overall upward trend in both. Complementary Therapies in Medicine published the most articles, whereas the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine received the most citations. Tabriz University of Medical Sciences was the most productive institution, and Iran was the leading country. Approximately 91.9% of authors contributed only one publication. The most cited article was "Aromatherapy in Childbirth: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial." The most frequent keywords were "anxiety," "essential oil," and "massage," while trending topics included "anxiety," "essential oil," and "mood." The main motor themes focused on anxiety, essential oil, massage, pain, mood, aromatherapy, inhalation, and childbirth. A growing research trend was observed, with essential oils most frequently studied, particularly for anxiety and mood during childbirth.