Formulasi dan Uji Efektivitas Antistres Lilin Aromaterapi Minyak Atsiri Jahe Merah (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum ) Pada Mencit (Mus musculus )

Abstract

High stress levels in modern society have driven the development of natural complementary therapies. Red ginger (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum) produces a calming effect through its active compounds: gingerol, shogaol, zingerone, zingiberene, and camphene. This studyaims to formulate and evaluate the anti-stress efficacy of aromatherapy candles containing red ginger essential oil in mice (Mus musculus). Experimental methods included the processing of crude drug material, essential oil distillation, and phytochemical screening. The essential oilwas then formulated into aromatherapy candles at three concentrations—2% (F1), 4% (F2), and 6% (F3)—using palm wax and stearic acidas the base. Physical quality testing of the candles included organoleptic evaluation, burn time, and melting point. The anti-stress test used theForced Swim Test (FST) with immobility time as the parameter, and lavender served as the positive control. Data analysis was performedusing ANOVA and Tukey’s Post Hoc test. The results of the candle quality tests showed that all formulations (F1, F2, F3) were white, solid without cracks, had a characteristic ginger scent, a burn time of 475–545 minutes, and a melting point of 52–54°C. F3 (6%) provided the best anti-stress effect with an average immobility time of 7.2 minutes, which was shorter than that of F2 (4%) at 12.2 minutes and F1 (2%) at20.4 minutes, although it was not able to outperform the lavender positive control, which had an immobility time of 5.2 minutes. In conclusion,all formulations were found to meet the standards for aromatherapy candles, and F3 is the best aromatherapy option for stress relief.