Effects of VOCs from leaves of Acer truncatum Bunge and Cedrus deodara on human physiology and psychology

•The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of volatile compounds emitted by Acer truncatum Bunge and Cedrus deodara on human physiology and psychology.•Blood oxygen saturation increased, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate all reduced after sniffing volatile compounds from C. deodara.•But there were no significantly different from controls after sniffing volatile compounds from Acer truncatum.•Nearly 50% of respondents reported liking the smell of A. truncatum Bungeand C. deodara. Subjects also reported that the smell of C. deodara made them more relaxed than A. truncatum Bunge.