This study presents the primary outcomes of the neurological and emotional responses to inhalation and foot baths using the clary sage aroma. Clary sage inhalation produced varying effects on EEG (electroencephalography) depending on the concentration used, inactivating  and  waves while activating  waves, γ waves, RSMR, SEF50 and SEF90. Inhalation is more effective at enhancing individual performance and focus than promoting relaxation. The clary sage foot bath activated  waves and RSMR, while inactivating  waves, γ waves, SEF50, and SEF90. The foot bath approach has a calming impact on the mind and body, as well as reducing arousal and stress. While the advantages of clary sage inhalation and foot bath therapy are distinct, both involve the activation of RSMR, which enhances focus at work and aids in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. Although the emotional features of clary sage oil vary according to the dose used for inhalation, it was typically assessed as a feminine and refreshing aroma, and the clary sage foot bath was evaluated as a pleasant, invigorating, refreshing, feminine, soft, and calming fragrance. When clary sage was used in the foot bath therapy, it evoked a stronger emotional response than when it was inhaled. These findings suggest that a clary sage foot bath can be used to enhance work-related focus while also relaxing the body by activating  waves and inactivating SEF50 and SEF90.

To analyze the synergistic effects of applying lavender aroma to a footbath, we analyzed the EEG and emotional responses of footbath, lavender inhalation, and lavender footbath in women in their 30s. Foot baths reduced wave activation, wave and wave inactivation, and SEF50 and SEF90. The foot bath activated waves by about 66% compared to the background EEG, and reduced SEF50 and SEF90 by 0.43 Hz-0.68 Hz and 3.7 Hz, respectively. Lavender inhalation activated α, β, and γ waves at a concentration of 1% or more, and inactivated θ waves. As the concentration of lavender inhalation increased, α waves increased and β and γ waves decreased. Lavender foot bath activates θ waves and α waves, and inactivates β waves and γ waves. Compared with the background EEG, the lavender foot baths reduced SEF50 and SEF90, which are the median frequencies of EEG power, 0.5 Hz and 3.4 Hz, respectively. Lavender showed a positive emotional response when applied to inhalation and foot bath. Lavender showed a positive emotional response when applied to inhalation and foot bath. When the lavender was inhaled at the concentration of 1~10% and the lavender foot bath was applied, the average preference index (API) showed 0.64~0.66 and 3.6 ± 0.6, respectively. Lavender oil has a greater synergistic effect on emotional reactions when applied to an aromatherapy bath than by inhalation. Lavender decreased SEF50 and SEF90 as the API increased. A lavender footbath was superior to lavender inhalation in both emotional and EEG responses, and was more relaxed and calming than a footbath. These results suggest that the aroma foot bath method, in which lavender is applied to a footbath, is more effective in terms of providing relaxation and calming than a footbath or lavender inhalation aromatherapy.