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In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that between 65% and 80% of the world's population relied on alternative medicine as their primary health care source. More than 40 percent of Americans are using Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) to maintain their health or to treat physical and psychological health conditions.
Aromatherapy within the domain of CAM can be applied to
Aromatherapy can be used during massage, as steam inhalations, in compresses and in other ways to balance the body and mind. Researches have revealed that human touch has wide-ranging physical and emotional benefits for people of all age groups.
Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils distilled from the leaves, fruits, seeds and flowers of various plants.
Some essential oils induce uplifting or invigorating effects, while others are more calming. The sense of smell has a powerful effect on the body via the olfactory system to trigger memories as well as affect the body’s nervous system.
Common essential oils used in aromatherapy and their health benefits include:
Please note these suggestions should not replace medical treatment. They are intended to be used as a complementary therapy.
Seniors and cancer patients can benefit from aromatherapy in many ways, including:
Aromatherapy in Dementia
Dementia is a progressive disease of the brain. There is decline in cognitive and intellectual function such as memory, comprehension, learning capacity, as well as language and judgment. Patients gradually deteriorate with impaired functioning in daily activities, with emotional and behavioral problems, easily get lost, cannot recognize relatives and may become totally dependent.
Japan, having the highest life expectancy in the world, in addition to using medications, also makes use of various ‘non‐pharmacological’ approaches in the treatment of senile dementia.
A study was done on the curative effects of aromatherapy in dementia in 28 elderly people. Aromatherapy consisted of rosemary and lemon essential oils in the morning, and lavender and orange in the evening were used and improvement in cognitive function was found on dementia patients. The study also noted that there were no side-effects associated with the use of aromatherapy and using pure aromas is safe. (D Jimbo - 2009)
Other studies suggest that aromatherapy can reduce agitation, anxiety, and insomnia in people suffering from dementia (Bowles, Cheras, Stevens, and Myers, 2005).
A measurable sedative effect was demonstrated through the use of aromatherapy massage in a controlled trial of twenty-one hospitalized people suffering from dementia (Smallwood, Brown, Coulter, Irvine, and Copland, 2001).
A trial involving nine residents showed consistent improvements in overall wakefulness during the day and increased percentages of time asleep at night after the placement of one drop of lavender oil on each person's pillow at night. (Hudson, 1996)
Why gentle touch is important to good health
Extensive research by the University of Miami's Touch Research Institute has revealed that human touch has wide-ranging physical and emotional benefits for people of all age groups. In the Institute's experiments,
Aromatherapy massage reducing anxiety and depression in people with cancer
In 2007, a UK study tested whether aromatherapy massage could reduce anxiety and depression in people with advanced cancer. 280 people with anxiety or depression took part. Half of them had aromatherapy massage on top of their usual supportive care.
The researchers found that those who had aromatherapy massage were less anxious or depressed for up to 2 to 6 weeks after the massage. There was no difference at 10 weeks.
A US study in 2004 looked at the use of massage and aromatherapy in 42 people with advanced cancer. Those who had aromatherapy massages slept better and had less depression than those who didn't. Massage of arms, hands, feet, legs can help many patients with various ‘aches’ and pains.
Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage
Skilled massage relaxes and revitalizes an ailing or tired body. Massage is also a way of communicating warmth, reassurance and a sense of self worth.
