Aromatherapy

By Jaclyn Cimiluca

Outline

• What is it?

• Methods of use

• Quality and safety

• Therapeutic properties

• Wound care

• Touch and massage

• Learning difficulties and autism

• Care of the elderly

• Bereavement

What is it?

• Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils

• Essential oils are defined as volatile parts of aromatic plants extracted by steam distillation or expression

• Most research on natural essential oils has been funded by the perfume and the food and drink industry

What is it?

• Today, low-cost synthetic compounds have replaced essential oils in consumer aromatherapy products including perfumes

• Most aromatherapists believe that these synthetic products are not a part of aromatherapy and many of them are associated with increases in fragrance sensitivity

Methods of UsePsychological

Effects• Psychological effects of

aroma are rapid and can be relaxing or stimulating

• This depends on previous experience with the individual and of the chemistry of the oil used

Physical Effects• Essential oils applied

topically to the skin can exert a rapid physiological affect

• Some practitioners believe that topical or ingested essential oils are not a part of aromatherapy

• Others believe that the inhalation, topical application, and ingestion of essential oils comprises aromatherapy

Quality and Safety

• The danger of essential oils is often exaggerated, based on insufficient evidence

• When used knowledgeably and with caution under the supervision of a properly trained aromatherapist, they pose no threat to health

• Due to the known chemistry of essential oils and their effects, they should not be available to the general public

Quality and Safety

• For therapeutic purposes the quality and wholeness of any essential oil is of utmost importance, regardless of cost

• When procuring essential and assessing their safety it is important to know where the plant it comes from was grown, had it been cloned by cuttings or grown from seed, the plant variety, how it was grown, as well as the part of the plant used and the chemotype

• All of these factors can effect the quality and consistency of the essential oil produced

Quality and Safety

• The majority of toxicological tests have been performed on animals

• Different isomers of an essential oil molecule can display different activities

• The components of an essential oil have a synergistic effect on each other, therefore the combined action of the oil’s constituents have a greater effect than it’s individual parts

• When we isolate these components, there is a greater risk of producing unwanted side effects

General Precautions

• Keep out of reach of children

• Essential oils are not to be ingested without specific professional advice

• Never remove a dropper insert from a bottle of essential oils in order to prevent accidental ingestion, if this does occur, seek medical assistance

• Do not apply neat to the skin unless under the direction of a suitably qualified therapist

• Individual reactions to essential oils are possible, Seek medical assistance

• Neat EO’s can be removed from the hands by washing thoroughly with a mild detergent to prevent transference to other parts of the body

• If the EO gets into the eye, the should be flushed with a good-quality carrier oil, which will dissolve the oil

Storage

• EOs should always be stored in an air tight container to prevent oxidation

• A cool temperature is best for extending shelf life especially for blends of essential/carrier oils and carrier oils

• EOs should be stored in dark-colored glass bottles (Ex. dark amber, green or black for best results)

• If not stored properly, there can be a change in molecular composition potentially altering therapeutic effects

Therapeutic Properties

• Antiseptic, antibacterial

• Analgesic

• Antifungal

• Anti-inflammatory

• Antipruritic

• Antitoxic

• Antiviral

• Balancing

• Cicatrizant (wound healing)

• Deodorant

• Digestive

• Diuretic

• Hormone-like activity

• Immunostimulant

• Insecticidal and repellent

• Mucolytic and expectorant

• Sedative

• Spasmolytic

Clinical Applications

• Wound healing

• Touch and massage

• Learning difficulties and autism

• Care of the elderly

• Bereavement

Wound Healing

• The use of aromatic extracts in hospices and hospitals is usually a final option when orthodox methods have failed

• Most of the research on the efficacy of essential oils on wound healing has been based on clinical trials involving clients who have an extremely poor wound healing prognosis

• Despite this, the majority of results are positive

Wound Healing

• Commonly used essential oils for wound healing:• Commiphora myrrha (myrrh)• Abies balsamea (Canadian balsam/balsam fir)• Citrus limon (lemon)• Lavandula angustifolia (lavender)• Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree)• Matricaria recutita (German chamomile) • Helichrsum angustifolium, H. italicum

(everlasting, immortelle)

Touch and massage

• Carrier oils comprise the major part of any blend used in an aromatherapy massage and should be selected with care, to augment the effects of essential oils on presenting symptoms

Touch and massage

• Carrier oils are divided into 3 categories:• Basic- used with or without EO for body massage

and are pale in color, not too viscous and have little smell• Almond sweet, grape seed, sunflower

• Special- are more viscous and expensive• Avocado oil, evening primrose oil, jojoba oil, peach

kernel oil, rose hip oil, wheat germ oil

• Macerated- chopped plant material is added to a fixed oil and macerated, then left for weeks before filtering• Calendula & St. John’s wort

Learning difficulties and Autism

• Little research, but a general consensus that it can have a positive effect

• The individual parts of an aromatherapy treatment: relationship between client and therapist, touch/massage, essential/carrier oils, and olfaction can provide support and produce physical and psychological benefits

• Research shows that aromatherapy can have significant effects on the mind by affecting the autonomic level of the cognitive part of the brain

Learning difficulties and Autism

• Essential oils can exhibit powerful effects on the body and nervous system:• Evoking memories• Changing human perception• Altering behavior• Reducing aggression and agitation• Improving communication• Activating cognitive responses

Learning difficulties and Autism

• The choice of oils and their use should be decided as for any client, with special attention to particular needs taking into account known and potential medical conditions

• The practitioner should also be aware of potential drug contraindications and possible side effects

Care of the Elderly

• Many elderly receive little or no caring from others

• Therapeutic massage can help to improve quality of life and can also benefit those caring for them

• Essential oils enhance these benefits and assists with problems such as anxiety, depression, indigestion, insomnia and constipation

• Essential oils can also be used to treat dementia to help revoke scents of the past

• When treating elderly clients, the therapist could have the same pleasant-smelling oil blend on his or her at each visit to enhance a bond with the client

Care of the Elderly

• Aromatherapy is increasingly being accepted at varying levels in care homes

• Essential oils can be delivered through vaporizers to improve the mood and atmosphere of the home, and are highly beneficial when used directly on clients for individual needs

• In patients with dementia, aromatherapy and massage can be beneficial in conjunction with other psychological therapeutic interventions

Bereavement

• In individuals who are grieving from a loss, the use of essential oils can have a balancing effect on the mind, body, and spirit

• Aromatherapy can provide benefits by:• Strengthening the immune system-

• The first concern and a truly holistic method for treating grief

• Boswella carteri (Frankincense) and Melissa officinalis (melissa)

Bereavement

• Treating sadness and anger• The use of calming, antispasmodic, anti-

inflammatory essential oils that help to relax the mind to forgive

• Inhalation is the most effective method, by taking 3 full breaths from a tissue of 6-8 drops of EO

• Citrus bergamia (bergamot), Citrus limon (lemon), Mentha x piperita (peppermint), Pelargonium graveolens (geranium)

Conclusion

• Aromatherapy has become a widely known and accepted holistic therapy throughout the world

• The use of essential oils can effectively be used to treat a wide array of clinical conditions under the discretion of a licensed practitioner

• Among others, current research has dedicated special attention in areas of wound care, touch and massage, learning difficulties and autism, care of the elderly and for bereavement

Thank you.

Any questions????

References

Buckle, J. (2003). Aromatherapy: What is it? Herbal Gram. 57: 50-56.

Price, S., Price, L. (2012). Aromatherapy for Health Professionals- 4th Edition. Elsevier: Churchill.