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Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses essential oils extracted from plants and herbs to influence a person's mood and health. The oil is blended into a base of cold-pressed oil and enters the bloodstream through massage or inhalation. Evidence is accumulating that suggests that the scent of the oils has the power to transform emotions and assist in healing the body.
Amongst others, aromatherapy has been found to benefit people with dementia, poor sleep or chronic pain. For example, for older people with dementia - a group of patients that is particularly vulnerable to side effects of psychotropic drugs - lavender may offer an alternative solution (Lin et al, 2007; their findings have been published in the March edition of the International Journal of Geriatrics and Psychiatry).
When planning to walk your dog and your little friend tends to become overly excited, prior exposure to diffused lavender odour appears to quieten your dog down (Wells, 2006; Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association) until he or she can be let loose.
Another study by Perry and Perry (2006) published in the Journal CNS Drugs suggests that aromatherapy has the potential to effect a number of psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and dementia. This is particularly significant, as aromatherapy appears to be without the adverse effects of many conventional psychotropic drugs.
This is particularly important when treating children. Given the calming benefits of lavender, Williams (2006) reports in the Journal of Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine on a pilot study investigating the effects of lavender on the sleeping patterns of children with autism, which, however, did not result in any improvements to the patient. This is contrary to another nursing study conducted by Cuellar, Rogers and Hisghman (2006), who compared men and women aged between 18 and 30 years old and found that there is evidence that lavender can act as mild sedative, promoting sleep.
Aromatherapy does more than just positively influence behaviour. A recent study by Wilkinson et al. (2007), reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, concluded that aromatherapy massage does have clinical benefits for cancer patients up to 2 weeks after an intervention, reducing anxiety and depression.
Note:
Do not apply essential oils directly on the skin as they may cause burns.
Take great care when administering aromatherapy to people with allergies.
Be aware that herbs can act in different ways. For example, drinking peppermint leaf tea is usually regarded as safe. In contrast, peppermint oil can only be taken in small doses.
It is always best to consult a trained practitioner when undergoing any form of therapy.
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