The design reconstruction of olfactory art and sleep healing spaces

Background Eaglewood, also known as Aquilaria sinensis in China, is a type of resinous wood of the Aquilaria in the thymelaeaceae family with diversified values. In traditional Chinese medicine, it serves as a precious material for regulating qi and alleviating pain. Its unique aroma makes it a key ingredient in religious ceremonies and high-end incense. Its natural grain and rarity make it a highly collectible carved artwork. With its triple attributes of cultural heritage, medicinal health, and artistic investment value, eaglewood continues to release its irreplaceable and rare value. This article will explore the role of eaglewood in regulating sleep quality from the perspectives of medicine and art design. Methods First of all, GC–MS was applied to detect the main chemical components released into the air after eaglewood incense sticks were lit. Then, the open field test, tail suspension test, forced swimming test, and collaborative hypnosis experiment systematically revealed that eaglewood has a calming effect and aids sleep, and pharmacological data were simultaneously converted into product design parameters. Finally through the combination of eaglewood and spatial aesthetic design, the study proposes the positive impact of the five senses on healing spaces, providing a new theoretical framework and practical path for designing sleep environments. Results and conclusions GC–MS analysis revealed that the volatile components released into the air from burning agarwood incense sticks were mainly phenols (e.g., phenol, 2-methoxy-, phenol, 2,6-dimethoxy-) and terpenoids (e.g., Jasmone, E-, trans -2-Caren-4-ol,3-Caren-10-al). These compounds possess sedative, hypnotic and anxiolytic effects. On this basis, animal behavioral experiments further verified that the scented eaglewood can alleviate anxiety and fatigue in mice to a certain extent, and exhibits a significant sedative effect, which can significantly improve the sleep disorders of mice with insomnia. In addition, the unique aroma of eaglewood can create a multi-sensory healing experience through the art design of the space, redefining modern people's perception and expectations of sleep spaces.