Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils and to know what aromatherapy is, one must know that essential oils are the steam distillates derived from the aromatic plants (Freeman, 2009). Aromatherapy dates back to the era in which medicine was first discovered and can be labeled as preventative care. It is said that Hippocrates stated that “the way to health is an aromatic bath and a scented massage every day”. This wordage indicates that preventative care was also meant to go hand in hand with the medical field, in other words, there should not be a gap, as we are greatly seeing in today’s Western Medicine.
The beginning of modern day aromatherapy was studied by a French chemist whose name was Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, PhD and dates back to the 1920’s. His approach to findings included studies on burns that he sustained in his laboratory in which he treated successfully with lavender oil (Horowitz, 2011). These findings led to today’s studies of aromatherapy. This invigorating form of mind-body intervention can be administered by means of inhalants, topically, compresses, and digested if directed by a licensed professional.
Essential oils must be diluted due to their high levels of concentration. Because dilution must ensue, aromatherapy is deemed a safe therapy. As a matter of fact, nurses in the United Kingdom at the College of Nursing have had no incidences of malpractice to date that have been reported. In comparison to Western Medicine, this fact is very promising for this type of therapy to thrive in the future (Horowitz, 2011). Clinical studies indicate that certain oils can aid in treatment of certain types of ailments.
Sage has shown to improve the mind by aiding with memory and mood states. Eucalyptus carries elements that contribute to anti-inflammatory properties and expectorant properties that aid in battling infections through inhalation. Through other studies, Eucalyptus has shown to have broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects on MRSA, and with today’s challenge of patients becoming resistant to antibiotics, these studies will continue in hopes that an alternative cure can be established.
Thyme oils have proved to completely destroy the MRSA bacteria in a 2 hour time frame. Bergamot proves to be an effective tool for stress relief in adults. Lemongrass can be utilized as an antifungal against C. albicans (yeast infections) in vitro with peppermint showing to assist. Rosemary, sweet orange, and lemon oil can aid patients with dementia and/or Alzheimer’s Disease. The last one worthy of mention is Clary sage which has an antidepressant effect that is proposed to be closely associated with modulation of dopamine in the brain (Horowitz, 2011).
Aromatherapy can also be utilized to assist with weight loss, hypertension, pregnancy, the pain and anxiety of childbirth, neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with dementia, distress in infants, and pain/anxiety in relation to cancer, cervical colposcopy, chemotherapy-related symptoms in children with cancer, and colon-cancer screening (Horowitz, 2011). Aromatherapy does have a place in Western Medicine. Preventative care has been greatly overlooked and because of this, has placed our society in debt and in an unhealthy status.
These stepping stones are small yet hold such great value. Once Western Medicine places the foundations of early medicine back in its blueprint and techniques, society will once again live happier and longer lives.
References Freeman, Lyn. (2009) Mosby’s Complementary & Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach (3rd Edition). United States: Mosby, Inc. Horowitz, S. (2011) Aromatherapy: Current and Emerging Applications. Alternative & Complementary Therapies, 17(1), 26-31. doi:10. 1089/act. 2011. 17103.