Aromatherapy uses fragrant oils extracted from plants to relieve a wide variety of symptoms, including pain, anxiety, nausea and sleep problems. It is a type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
Aromatherapy involves using essential oil products, which are highly concentrated and must be diluted before applying to the skin. These oils can interact with certain medications, so people should talk to their doctor before trying them.
Origin
Aromatherapy, or ‘aromatherapie’ as it was first coined by French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse in 1937, is the use of essential oils for healing and relaxation. But its roots can be traced back thousands of years.
The Egyptians were well known for their perfumery industry, using aromatic plants for religious rituals and embalming. They regarded the sense of smell as one of the most important for evoking memories and emotions, as reflected in their cult of the goddess Isis who was often depicted wearing fragrant flower garlands.
The Romans also used herbal remedies and perfumes as did Greek philosopher Theophrastus, who documented his experiments with various herbs for their medicinal and therapeutic properties. Theophrastus and his student Dioscorides were pioneers in the field of plant-based medicine, and were responsible for defining the principles that would later shape modern medicine. Medieval and Renaissance monks also contributed to the advancement of botanical knowledge and practices, and as trade routes opened up, these traditions spread around the globe.
Symptoms
Aromatherapy involves inhaling essential oils from flowers, herbs and trees, or applying them to the skin. The oils can be used to treat a variety of symptoms, including pain, anxiety, nausea and insomnia. Aromatherapy can be part of patient-centered symptom management in a health care facility. Nurses should evaluate the results of a treatment plan using aromatherapy to determine its effectiveness.
Certain scents can help reduce anxiety, such as lavender and chamomile. They are thought to calm the nervous system and lower activation of the fight-or-flight response, which causes physical symptoms like sweaty palms or a racing heart. Aromatherapy may also help people with trait anxiety, a persistent tendency to feel anxious on a regular basis.
Other aromatherapy oils can help people with depression. Peppermint, frankincense and rosemary oil are thought to stimulate the mind, increase alertness and improve mood. They may also help with fatigue and insomnia. Taking an oral capsule containing diluted essential oils is another option.
Treatments
Aromatherapy involves inhaling the distilled and refined essences of plants, using essential oils in a diffuser or placing them on your skin (diluted with a carrier oil). The process of smelling the aroma sends signals through the nose to the limbic system of the brain that can make you feel good.
For example, aromatherapy can help with a headache. Peppermint oil, chamomile oil and lavender oil are known for their calming properties. Other oils that can boost energy include cinnamon, eucalyptus and tea tree oil.
In addition to promoting well-being, aromatherapy can also reduce symptoms for people with chronic health conditions. For instance, aromatherapy can make needle sticks less painful for people on dialysis and improve sleep for people hospitalized in a medical facility. Using aromatherapy requires familiarity with botanical ingredients, proper dosing (posology) and human physiology. It also requires skill and judgment, particularly in professional settings. Inhaled aromatherapy can only be practiced under the supervision of a trained therapist or with products that are specially formulated for internal use.
Side effects
Aromatherapy uses essential oils. The oils are extracted from various parts of plants and distilled or concentrated. They have a variety of uses including perfumes, food flavorings and health care. Oils can be inhaled through the nose or applied to the skin.
The olfactory cells in your nose detect molecules from the aroma of essential oils and send signals to areas of your brain that control emotions. This causes your body to release hormones and other chemicals.
Some studies show that aromatherapy can help manage some cancer symptoms. But more research is needed to learn how well it works and what side effects may occur.
Talk to your cancer care team if you are interested in using aromatherapy to manage your symptoms. They can help you find a qualified aromatherapist and explain the benefits and risks of this approach. This PDQ cancer information summary has current information about the use of aromatherapy with essential oils in treating people with cancer. It is provided by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
