For those who hurt, aromatheraphy makes scents

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By Juliana Goodwin / Springfield (Mo.) News Leader | Monday, May 19, 2008 9:38 AM CDT | () comments

Pam Samson discovered aromatherapy when her sister was battling cancer.

Samson's sister used aromatherapy to relax and combat nausea caused by her treatments. Samson, manager at Incense & Peppermints in Springfield, Mo., has been hooked ever since: “I’m an enthusiast.”

Aromatherapy is the use of scent to support good health. It has been around for thousands of years, and was used by the Chinese, Indians, Egyptians and others.

Aromatherapy incorporates essential oils, which the National Cancer Institute defines as scented liquids taken from certain plants using steam or pressure. Essential oils contain the natural chemicals that give the plant its “essence'' (odor and flavor). They are often inhaled or applied topically.

Essential oils are highly concentrated. For example, it takes about 220 pounds of lavender flowers to make about one pound of essential oil, according to the institute.

There is mixed research on whether aromatherapy is truly beneficial. Believers say it can aid digestive problems, ease nausea, boost the immune system and promote relaxation, among many other physical and mental benefits. It’s commonly used in conjunction with massage therapy.

Aromatherapy is not regulated, and advocates say people interested in it need to be aware of what real aromatherapy is before they try it.

“They can practice on their own, but you really have to know what you are doing,” says Mary Witman, an instructor at the Professional Massage Training Center in Springfield, Mo., who has used aromatherapy for years. “It can be dangerous without knowing the quality of the oils.”

There are two main schools of thought on why aromatherapy may be effective, according to the National Cancer Institute.



Affect on the body

One thought: essential oils are derived from plants, so they may affect the body in unique ways.

Essential oils do have benefits in nature, says Dr. Lance Luria, the medical director of St. John's Integrative Medicine Program.

“Their function in the plant community is to help the plant’s immune system,” Luria says. Plants use chemicals to fight off bacteria and fungi. “They even battle back against the harmful effects of sunlight by making phytonutrients we call antioxidants. Both fungi and plants make chemicals to protect themselves from bacteria, and so we think of these substances as antimicrobial.”

Another theory is that smell receptors in the nose may respond to the smells of essential oils and send chemical messages along nerve pathways to the brain’s limbic system. The limbic system affects moods and emotions.

“There have been several small studies demonstrating an impact on mood by utilizing aromatherapy,” Luria says.

If you're new to aromatherapy, you want to make sure you get pure essential oils -- not simply perfumed oils, says Juliet Mee, director of the Professional Massage Center.

It is possible to have an allergic reaction, says Samson. To protect yourself, you have to know the oils and their properties.

For instance: “You don’t want to use bergamot on skin for 12 hours prior to sun-bathing because it has skin reactions,” Mee says. “Cinnamon-bark oil is extremely antimicrobial, but it can be very skin irritating.”

Before you get started, you should read up on essential oils and consider taking a course on how to use them, says Witman.

And proper doses are important: “Five drops of rosemary in a full tub of water is all you need ... peppermint, you need only one drop. Too much of an oil can injure the skin,” Witman says.

You can find essential oils at health food stores, she adds.

Before you buy look for these items on the oil’s label, says aromatherapy practitioner Holland Azzaro: The oil’s common name followed by its Latin botanical name; the place where the essential oil was distilled; the date and batch number; the company name and contact information; and safety information regarding the oil's application and home use.



Store bottles properly

Real essential oils should be stored in dropper bottles made of dark glass such as amber, cobalt blue or forest green. Sunlight can deteriorate these oils.

If you are purchasing oils or working with a practitioner, don’t be afraid to ask questions, Holland Azzaro says. “Be clear in what you are wanting to use aromatherapy for, and (mention) if you have any health issues or concerns. True aromatherapists will not shy away from questions -- they are all about education and empowerment.”

If used correctly, many people believe aromatherapy can be beneficial to the mind and body. The practice is more accepted in Europe, Luria says.

“(America has) developed outstanding biomedical expertise, but we’re losing ground when it comes to managing the complexity of the human condition, which I think is essential for true health and healing to occur,” Luria says. “Aromatherapy is but one of a long list of non-mainstream strategies that tries to bridge this gap, focusing on what may provide benefit for a particular individual while doing no harm.”

Where to start with aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the use of scents to support good health. Aromatherapy relies on essential oils, which are derived from plants. These are often inhaled through the nostrils or applied topically.



Tips for beginners

— Look for 100 percent pure essential oils. If the label is not clear in this respect, don’t buy it. It should say “pure essential oil” as opposed to blend or massage oil.

— Read as much as you can about aromatherapy before you get started.

— Find a reputable source to buy your oils from.

— Avoid aromatherapy if you are pregnant.

— Do not use undiluted essential oils directly on the skin.

— Pay attention to the botanical name when shopping for oils. Anise, bay, eucalyptus and lavender are some common names of plants used to create essential oils. However, there are different varieties of these plants. Their botanical names (also referred to as the Latin name) are used to tell them apart. For instance, two different oils may be referred to as “bay essential oil,” yet they come from two different plants. The properties and aroma of each oil differ, as does the cost.

— Store oils in dark glass and in a cool, dark place.

— Pay attention to all safety and application information.

— Keep oils away from pets and children.

— Some oils can cause reactions in some individuals. When using a new oil, do a test on a small area of skin. Place a small amount of the diluted essential oil on the inside of your elbow and apply a bandage. Wait 24 hours to see if there is any reaction. Even if you have used this oil in the past without irritation, this step should not be ignored.

Sources: Mary Witman; National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy and aromaweb.com/articles/tips.asp



10 essential oils and reported properties

— Peppermint, Mentha piperita: Used to treat headaches, muscle aches, digestive disorders such as indigestion and flatulence.

— Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus globulus or Eucalyptus radiata: Used to treat respiratory problems such as coughs, colds and asthma. Helps to boost the immune system and relieve muscle tension.

— Ylang ylang, Cananga odorata: Helps relaxation and can reduce muscle tension.

— Geranium, Pelargonium graveolens: Helps to balance hormones in women; good for balancing the skin. Can be relaxing and uplifting; an antidepressant.

— Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia: Relaxing; used in treating wounds, burns and skin.

— Lemon, Citrus limon: Uplifting yet relaxing. Used in treating wounds and infections. Used for house cleaning and deodorizing.

— Clary sage, Salvia sclarea: Natural painkiller; helpful in treating muscular aches. Relaxing; can help with insomnia.

— Tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia: A natural antifungal oil, good for treating all sorts of fungal infections including vaginal yeast infections, jock itch, athletes foot and ringworm. Also helps boost the immune system.

— Roman chamomile, Anthemus nobilis: Relaxing; can help with sleeplessness and anxiety. Also good for muscle aches and tension. Used in treating wounds and infection.

— Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis: Stimulating and uplifting; helps mental stimulation and stimulates the immune system. Good for muscle aches and tension. Stimulating to the digestive system.

   Source: The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy



Bathing with essential oils

Using essential oils in the bath is one way to influence your mood, although rather wasteful as much of the oil sticks to the sides of the bathtub. Try adding up to 10 drops of essential oils to two teaspoons of oil or soap solution and mixing it into the bathwater just before you get in.

NOTE: Lemon, orange, grapefruit, aniseed, camphor, clove, eucalyptus, ginger, juniper, black pepper, peppermint, sage, savory, spearmint and thyme should be used in very small dosages because they can sting. Use no more than two drops to a bath.

Hazardous oils: These oils are not to be used in any form: Almond (bitter), Boldo Leaf, Calamus, Camphor (brown), Camphor (yellow), Horseradish, Jaborandi leaf, Mugwort, Mustard, Rue, Sassafras, Sassafras (Brazil), Savin, Southernwood, Tansy, Thuja (cedarleaf), Thuja, Plicata, Wintergreen, Wormseed, Wormwood.

Source: Lyn Gardenchild, Aromatherapist, Holisticshop.co.uk's mail-order Web site.