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November 14, 2025
How can aromatherapy help people in mental health crises? Aromatherapy and/or aromacare services are offered in many psychiatric institutions in Switzerland. Regula Rudolf von Rohr, an expert in aromatherapy and psychiatric aromatherapy at the University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, discusses this in an interview.
Regula Rudolf von Rohr is an expert in aromatherapy and psychiatric aromatherapy at the University Psychiatric Clinics in Basel. She introduced aromatherapy there many years ago and established psychiatric aromatherapy within the medical and therapeutic services. She is president of the Psycharoma association and also works as a lecturer, including at the Farfalla Academy.
A fragrance has direct access to our feelings. This makes it possible to influence emotions very quickly and easily, to immediately trigger pleasant feelings, to regulate tension, or to focus attention. Aromatherapy is a simple way to affect our psychological well-being.
The effects are felt on the skin and, above all, through inhalation, meaning by smelling a scent strip or stick, or a nearby scent stone. Skin applications such as rubs are primarily offered as guided self-applications. Foot baths and full baths are also available, but these need to be integrated into the daily routine. We also focus on portable applications like roll-ons, which are readily available and can be experienced through the skin and nose.
Do the applications differ for different mental illnesses?
Yes, there are indeed differences. People with depressive disorders respond better to lower doses; overly strong scents tend to be overwhelming. For clients with a high potential for stress, topical applications with higher concentrations of up to three percent are recommended.
Which essential oils are most commonly used in psychiatric aromatherapy?
Citrus scents are very important, although not everyone likes them equally. Downy scents are also necessary. Sweet components like tonka bean or benzoin are significant, as are herbs such as lavender and marjoram. With tree oils, we start with pine needle; Atlas cedar is an important subsequent scent in this category.
Do personal fragrance preferences play a role in aromatherapy?
Even the main role! As a professional, I make a pre-selection of fragrances based on my expertise, and the client chooses which fragrance they want to use based on their sense of smell.
What feedback do you receive from clients regarding aromatherapy?
We've received a great deal of positive feedback. People who appreciate fragrances are very grateful for this opportunity, as it's very personal and individual. For some, it opens a door to self-care, which is very difficult in this situation. Of course, there are also clients who say they don't experience any effect. In those cases, it's about learning to give space and, above all, value to a pleasant feeling. When this is successful, they realize how wonderful it can be to do something good for themselves during hospitalization—and even later. The focus of aromatherapy is on self-awareness and self-efficacy.
How does aromatherapy in a psychiatric hospital differ from that in other hospitals?
Somatic hospitals focus on clear symptoms. Often, the effects of treatment can be measured or assessed. Blood pressure can be measured, or wound care can be evaluated. In a psychiatric setting, the results are not measurable in this way. It's about perception during a crisis and the experience of self-efficacy. The evaluation is carried out by the clients themselves.
What does self-efficacy mean in aromatherapy?
It's about consciously perceiving what feels good and then applying it intentionally. This can be strengthened and practiced. Essential oils are very well suited for this because the effect is rapid and clients can work with them independently. Through this, they discover and strengthen their self-efficacy.
We thank Regula Rudolf von Rohr for the interview.
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