Aromatherapy uses essential oils to balance and promote physical and spiritual health. The practice is embraced by 8 major nursing theorists and has been objectively researched, supporting its use as Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Essential oils aren’t regulated by the FDA, so it’s important to purchase them from reputable producers. Learn more about how aromatherapy works, including possible side effects.
Origins
Aromatherapy uses essential oils to promote physical and psychological well-being. Its roots go back thousands of years, with ancient civilizations like Egypt, India, China and Greece utilizing fragrant botanicals for healing purposes. Modern rediscovery and scientific research are combining to shape aromatherapy’s future as a holistic healing practice.
Aromatherapists use essential oils by inhaling them or applying them to the skin. The oils stimulate smell receptors in the nose, sending a signal to the limbic system in the brain that affects emotions. This is thought to be why certain scents evoke memories or have specific effects.
The word “aromatherapy” was coined in 1937 by French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, who discovered that lavender oil could heal burns. The oils are distilled from various parts of plants to extract their properties. They are available online, in health food stores and in some regular supermarkets. You can also find them in many perfumes and personal care products. Some people use them to improve their mood, while others use them to treat a specific condition.
Symptoms
Aromatherapy uses oils extracted from the roots, stems, needles, leaves, rinds, or petals of plants to boost mood and make you feel better. These are called essential oils. When you inhale these oils, the scents travel through your nose to special cells in your olfactory bulb. Then they send a signal to your brain that changes the way you think and feel.
Some studies show that aromatherapy may help ease dementia symptoms like problems with thinking and memory. But more research is needed to prove this.
If you try to take an aromatherapy oil by mouth, it could damage your kidneys or liver. You also shouldn’t apply an undiluted oil to your skin. That can cause a skin rash or irritation. Before you do this, tell your doctor about any allergies you have. They may advise you to use a safe dose of the oil in a gel capsule or tincture instead. If you’re going to put essential oil in a bath, mix it with water or another liquid first. Putting pure essential oil in the bath can burn your skin or irritate your eyes.
Treatments
Aromatherapy is a complementary therapy that uses the scents of plant extracts to promote wellness. It involves inhaling essential oils or applying them (diluted) to the skin. People can use it for a variety of reasons, including to ease stress and anxiety. It is also sometimes used to help relieve pain, but little rigorous research has been done on its effectiveness.
Inhaling the aromas of the essential oils stimulates your brain and nervous system, triggering an array of physical responses. These oils can be applied in different ways — for example, in an oil diffuser, added to a bath or massaged into the skin.
To ensure the safety of your patients, only use therapeutic-grade essential oils that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). You can find them online or in health food stores. You should not try to use unapproved oils, as they may contain toxins or impurities. Also, some products that appear to be aromatherapy oils might actually contain synthetic fragrances or other chemicals.
Side effects
Aromatherapy is safe and has few risks when the oils are used as directed. But some essential oils may interact with medications or cause skin sensitivity. Some oils can also be toxic if ingested (such as wintergreen oil), so you should avoid them unless your doctor or trained aromatherapist approves.
Smell is a powerful sense, and the molecules in scents quickly pass through your nose’s receptors to impact the limbic system of your brain. This can trigger changes in mood or behavior, like reducing anxiety and increasing relaxation.
In one trial, a combination of aromatherapy and music therapy reduced stress and pain in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The patients wore special diffusers that circulated a mix of lavender, chamomile, bergamot and geranium oils along with soothing music throughout the day and evening. Researchers found that the combination treatment was more effective than either one alone. Other studies have shown that certain smells can reduce nausea and vomiting in people undergoing chemotherapy. But more research is needed to confirm these results.