Osmanthus fragrans (sweet osmanthus, sweet olive, tea olive or fragrant olive) is an evergreen shrub with a characteristic toothed margin leaf. The plant is used ornamentally because of its white, yellow or orange flowers. Medicinally Osmanthus fragrans may have a number of effects, and in particular the oil from the plant may affect the central nervous system. The anxiolytic effects of Osmanthus fragrans have been investigated in humans. For example, in one study, researchers administered Osmanthus fragrans oil to a group of patients undergoing a colonoscopy, something which is likely to induce anxiety in most individuals. The results of the study showed that inhalation of the oil was significantly beneficial at reducing the anxiety in the patients. Therefore Osmanthus fragrans may have significant mood elevating effects that make it a useful aromatherapy treatment for those undergoing stressful or anxiogenic experiences, and the cheapness and safety of the treatment may make it useful to a wide range of individuals.
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