Aromatherapy News

Medical Aromatherapy Essential Oils

Medical aromatherapy treats specific diagnoses and must be administered by a licensed physician or naturopath who is trained specifically to practice aromatherapy. Treatment can be in the form of massage or even oral ingestion of essential oil capsules. Practitioners should have a minimum of four years of training. Inhalation is another way of introducing essential oils into the system.

Like many natural medicines, aromatherapy is not going to cure anyone of a disease or prevent cancer. It is more likely to ease symptoms and make the patient feel better. Since relaxation is one of its main benefits, treating a seriously ill person to a soothing aromatherapy essential oil massage can do wonders for their state of mind. Also some of the essential oils can help alleviate nausea and pain that has settled into the joints and tissues. Even though many have learned to practice aromatherapy at home, in the case of sickness or pain they should definitely consult an expert.

Two French doctors, Lapraz and Durrafourd, both from Paris have conducted clinical trials on the effects of taking essential oils internally. They have found that certain oils don't always work on the same type of infection, but that the patient's chemistry plays a big part in determining how best to treat him or her. Since it was Dr. René-Maurice Gattefossé who named aromatherapy, it only makes sense that his countrymen are continuing his work. For more information go to http://www.essentialoils.co.za/medical.htm.

Studies show that essential oils work mainly on our olfactory senses. Think of the times you get a whiff of something and it immediately triggers a memory or emotion. In simple terms, our entire senses link to our brains and smelling is no different. Even though research is still being done, it's pretty conclusive that the right essential oils can improve our moods by impacting the emotional parts of our brains. The mind is affected by aromatherapy via the sense of smell.

There is a complicated process at work as with most of our bodily functions. We will try to explain what happens as simply as possible. The aroma is inhaled via the nose and attaches to the fine nasal hairs which link to the olfactory nerve. Then it becomes and electrical signal to the brain. The part of the brain receiving the signal is called the limbic system and is the most primitive section of the human brain. It influences our mood, our emotions, and how alert or tuned in we feel. Well-trained aromatherapy specialists believe that since the essential oils are received by the brain, they are able to influence both physical and psychological selves.

There has also been research showing that aromatherapy can relieve pain. Some believe it to by a placebo effect, but even if this is true, if pain is eased then the result is positive. However, some believe results are due to the parts of the brain stimulated by essential oils. Chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine, and epinephrine which make us feel good, are released when they interact with certain oils.

History proves that essential oils do help a number of health problems. That doesn't mean that they cure everything they touch, but they definitely help in making people more comfortable. They affect our physical, mental, and emotional health. You can study medicine and drugs to see that they have been using essential oils for years in some form or other. Just remember that pure oils are better than those that have been chemically altered.

Aromatherapy is a treatment in the holistic and/or naturopathic medical model. Some westerners are so ingrained with the use of traditional western style medicine that they think of anything else as some sort of quackery. As mentioned before, a lot of people are hoping to simplify their lives and get back to more basic ways of existing. These are some of the folks who question so-called modern medicine that employs so many harsh chemicals in its treatment plans. There are now a good, and growing, number of western doctors who are starting to include holistic treatments in their medical bags. Some have naturopaths available for consultation in their offices. Others refer patients to acupuncturists and aroma therapists. Ancient people survived very well using only what they found in nature, and there is a trend to get back to that way of thinking. The future of medicine in the western world will probably be a beneficial combination of a number of treatment modalities.

Some of the most common essential oils used in medicinal aromatherapy are:

* Clove - Used mainly as a topical treatment for dental pain but can also serve as a general antiseptic and to help subdue nausea
* Lavender - It is also an analgesic (pain killer) as well as an infection and bacteria fighter, enhance memory, relieves insomnia
* Tea tree - Another essential oil in the antiseptic family, that is it too fights infection and kills bacteria
* Yarrow - Reduces inflammation such as experienced in the joints and relieves cold and flu symptoms
* Eucalyptus - Acts as decongestant and treats other cold symptoms
* Bergamot - Helps depression

Scientific Views
Even with all the studies and research done to date, there is not much hard data to support the benefits of essential oils. However, in a number of independent studies conducted by nurses where some patients were treated with aromatherapy, some with a placebo, and some with no "medicine", the aromatherapy patients all noted a significant decrease in pain, nausea or an increase a feeling of well-being. There are also numerous accounts of healing therapies conducted by aromatherapy practitioners. Partly because it's an old science being made new again and partly because there are so many skeptics, it's difficult to find scientific studies that some individuals would find credible.

There is a world association, the International Federation of Professional Aroma therapists (IFPA). Gabriel Mojay was one of its principal founders. He holds degrees in a number of alternative medicinal disciplines, including aromatherapy. To learn more about some prominent names visit http://www.aromatherapy-studies.com/dip-faculty.html. Obviously there are a number of people in the world who are very serious about aromatherapy and essential oils.

In Europe, Vivian Nadya Lunny, MD is a well-educated physician with specialties in cardiology and pathology. She studied in Bolivia, Argentina, and the United Kingdom. Her post-graduate studies and degrees include holistic medicine and aromatherapy, among others. She has been studying and treating patients with arthritis and rheumatoid pain, both children and adults. She has been very successful in treating their pain and depression, using blends of essential oils to both calm their nerves and relieve their physical pain, mostly through light massage and infusion. She is a strong proponent of all physicians on a case working together in a holistic approach. http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Arthritis/lunny17.htm is the website where you can read about her credentials and her treatment of the sick. It would be difficult to find any practitioner more committed to her work with aromatherapy than she is.

More Than Just Packaging: Aromatherapy Bottles
10th June 2006
Author: Bryan Josling

By aromatherapy bottles, most of us will construe the packaging for aromatherapy products. Is packaging as important to be written about? Nevertheless, the aromatherapy bottles are different and are more than just packaging. By going through the following section, you too will agree that aromatherapy bottles have a role to play.

The bottles serve two purposes. Firstly, they ensure protection of the oil or absolute. Secondly, they add a style element to the simple looking oils. First, let's discuss the protection that bottles provide to aromatherapy products. Aromatherapy products are largely made of essential oils. Essential oils become adulterated when exposed to sun or exposed to direct air for a longer time.

Therefore, choose the bottles for storing the aromatherapy products and essential oils with care. Not any bottle will do. Particularly, clear glass bottles must be avoided when storing the oils. Clear glass bottles allow sun rays to come in and thus accelerate the process of adulteration.

This makes it important to use the aromatherapy bottles, which are cobalt blue or amber green bottles. These allow very little sun to come inside through diffusion. Therefore, one can store his/her essential oils for longer.

Are plastic bottles appropriate to keep ones aromatherapy products like essential oils, hydrosols, carrier oils, etc? This is a question that one most often comes through when purchasing aromatherapy bottles. There are two schools of thought on this. The first believes that essential oils are concentrated liquids. Hence, they can easily dissolve the plastic container. Once the plastic dissolves in the oil, it is no longer pure.

The other school of thought is of the view that plastic containers do not do any damage to the aromatherapy products. Besides, they are available cheap. Plastic jars are available in two versions in the market- single walled and double walled design. Single walled is the conventional plastic jar. The double walled plastic jar looks more stylish and protects the content from extreme temperature changes. Another advantage of this is that the cream or any other aromatherapy product can be taken out up to the last pint.

Style as we mentioned is an important part played by the aromatherapy bottles. Customers request their oils to be packed in exquisitely designed bottles. Remains of elegantly carved bottles have been unearthed from the ancient Egyptian and roman civilizations. These were used to store the precious essential oils and other products.

The discussion about aromatherapy bottles will be incomplete without talking about rubber droppers and dispensers. Do not use rubber droppers while storing essential oils. Because of the reaction with the oil, the dropper will turn into gum. There are risks of contamination of the oils through dispensers too. Use airless dispensers for best results.

Aromatherapy and Massage for people with a learning disability

by Shirley Durell


During my nurse training, I was able to observe Aromatherapists apply aromatherapy and massage to people with a learning disability. I also studied in depth the relevant literature. This increased my awareness of the potential of these therapies and instilled in me the need to consider the senses of smell and touch within this client group. This article by reviewing such literature, will discuss how the combined application of these therapies can contribute holistically to the lives of people with a learning disability.

Learning disability is a less stigmatising term used today by health care professionals. It provides hope for development by identifying the nature of the disability, reducing it's effects and increasing the learning potential. "It is a generic term given to a variety of 'conditions' which result in intellectual impairment, embracing all possible causes and outcomes in a sensitive and acceptable way."[1](p362)

Aromatherapy is the use of plants' essential oils to enhance health and fight infection. The oils can be extracted from different parts of the plant and have been identified to work in three ways:

pharmacologically: oils enter the bloodstream and interact with hormones, enzymes, etc.
physiologically: oils cause an effect on the body for example, a stimulatory effect
psychologically: the fragrance of the oil when inhaled cause an effect on the Olfactory system, ultimately affecting the Limbic system.[2] [3]

The latter requires further examination, bearing in mind the number of people with multiple disabilities. For example, 48% of people with a learning disability also have a sensory impairment, of which, 18% have a dual sensory impairment.[4]

The Limbic System is a ring of structures on the inner border of the Cerebrum and floor of the Diencephalon, which encircles the brain stem. It is not only associated with the sense of smell but also plays an important role in emotions. This is why it is sometimes referred to as the "emotional" brain.[5] Therefore by affecting the Limbic system, the oils are causing changes at a psychological level, for example a relaxing effect. This suggests that via the sense of smell, emotions can be manipulated.[6]

Massage has been clearly defined as "a mechanical manipulation of body tissues with rhythmical pressure and stroking for the purpose of promoting health and well-being."[7](p16) There are various massage techniques available but for the purpose of this article simple massage strokes, such as effleurage, will be discussed. It is one of the oldest and commonest way through which the essential oils can be applied and used. The merger of the senses of smell and touch, and the acknowledgement of the physical, psychological and spiritual dimensions of the self, identifies the combined application of aromatherapy and massage as a truly holistic experience.[8] So how can the combined application of these therapies, contribute holistically to the lives of people with a learning disability?

Harrison & Ruddle have highlighted how the senses of smell and touch are not often considered when working with people with a learning disability. In particular people with additional disabilities, such as sensory impairments. These senses can compensate for the loss of other senses and allow them to be able to discover other channels by which they can communicate to the outside world.

Read more: Aromatherapy and Massage for people with a learning disability

Is All the Hype About Aromatherapy True?

Are all the claims and is all the hype about holistic aromatherapy true?

This is a question I have received many times, however the answer does depend on the claims that you have personally heard.

So many products, often incorrectly, use the term aromatherapy on their products. Some media reporters and vendors even refer to aromatherapy as a "new discovery" thus giving a false sense of hype to aromatherapy and promoting inaccurate information about aromatherapy.

The practice of aromatherapy is the use of volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical well-being. Holistic aromatherapy does not include the use of fragrance oils or unnatural products. Unfortunately, many sellers of so-called aromatherapy products just use the term aromatherapy to sell their pleasant-smelling product and sometimes even go so far as to "hype" unfounded claims.

Below are a few common questions and answers that will help clarify what aromatherapy can and can't do.

Can aromatherapy cure my major illness or psychological problem?

If you expect or hope that aromatherapy will in itself cure a major illness or actually cure "stress," you will probably be in for a disappointment. But if you expect that aromatherapy can help with a physical condition, can help with symptoms, can effect your mood, or help alleviate or temporarily eliminate stress or other psychological factors, you may be delighted with the results that you experience.

For example, aromatherapy will not cure serious illness such as cancer or AIDS. Aromatherapy, however, can help enhance a cancer patient's quality of life by enhancing the patient's mood, calming fear and can help ease nausea during chemotherapy treatments. For AIDS patients, aromatherapy can also help enhance the patient's quality of life psychologically and essential oils can help improve one's immune system and thus potentially assist an AIDS patient that way.

Aromatherapy is a complementary alternative health modality. Its current use is not intended to replace standard medical care, but is meant to complement it. Aromatherapy can offer an alternative choice to taking prescription or over-the-counter chemical drugs. Aromatherapy can offer practical benefit for a variety of common ailments or symptoms such as assisting with cuts, wounds, bruises, inflammation, indigestion, acne, skincare, haircare, hygiene, PMS, menstruation, and for providing mental and emotional assistance with such issues as stress, fatigue, anxiety, fear, and the list goes on and on!

The very first aromatherapy blend that I ever attempted to create and try was for arthritis. I have arthritis in my knees and it can get extremely painful. I wasn't sure what to expect of this very first blend that I had made. To my skeptical amazement, I had relief. The relief did not occur instantaneously, nor was the relief permanent. Regular use of the blend, however, did – and still does – help to a large degree. This story is merely one example of the realistic results that you may experience by introducing aromatherapy into your lifestyle. I use the word "may" because everyone is different and everyone's experiences can vary.

Aromatherapy does have valid and extraordinary uses. It can improve one's lifestyle tremendously. But, as with anything in life, sensibility comes into play. Do not fall prey to any claims that aromatherapy can cure major illnesses or can cause miracles to happen. Aromatherapy can be play a beneficial role in assisting with major illnesses, but it cannot be depended upon as a cure for serious issues.

Why is aromatherapy gaining so much press and exposure now if it's been in practice for thousands of years?

Aspects of aromatherapy has indeed been in existence for thousands of years. The term aromatherapy, however, was only introduced earlier in the 20th century. I believe the surge in awareness of aromatherapy is threefold:

(1) Society today is more health conscious and is now more receptive to natural alternative health modalities including aromatherapy. The media has been actively covering the trends in increased health awareness and alternative medicine. The media has made a point to include the aromatherapy "buzzword."

(2) The Internet has made it easier for individuals to access and share aromatherapy information. This ability to network has had a positive effect on the growth of aromatherapy and aromatherapy businesses.

(3) Lifestyles of today are now more hectic and stressful. Since aromatherapy can assist in reducing the symptoms of stress and help one energize or relax, society is taking notice. If you go to many stores that sell any kind of candles, bath or beauty products, you'll most likely see products labeled with the word "aromatherapy." In my personal experience, most times I see the word "aromatherapy" on products not sold by reputable aromatherapy retailers, the word is used incorrectly. So, the surge in awareness of aromatherapy is both positive and negative. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about aromatherapy and mislabeled products around.

The above comments are not based on fact; they are my theories to this surge in popularity in aromatherapy.

Some companies claim that for best results, I should use essential oils on my skin at full strength . Others claim I should never use essential oils on my skin at full strength. Which is it?

Essential oils are concentrated liquids and are very powerful substances. They should not be consumed internally without personal counsel from a trained aromatherapist and should not be applied undiluted on the skin because they can be extremely irritating in full concentration. I speculate that companies that claim you can use oils undiluted are making this claim so that you use your oils up faster thus increasing your need to buy more for them.

If you don't believe that you should not use essential oils undiluted on the skin, read several books and notice the frequent warnings about undiluted usage. Who has more to gain, the authors of the books that you read and who will not profit from your oil purchases or the companies that want you to use up your oils faster so you can purchase more?