Aromatherapy - Easthampton Chiropractic

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Aromatherapy
Presented by: Dr. Henre J. Andosca & Easthampton Chiropractic
History
Ancient civilizations used essential oils
for therapeutic, spiritual, hygienic and
ritualistic purposes. The Chinese,
Indians, Egyptians, Greeks and
Romans used them in cosmetics,
perfumes and drugs.1
In 1937, the word first appeared in
print in a French book on the subject:
Aromathérapie: Les Huiles Essentielles, Hormones Végétales by RenéMaurice Gattefossé, a chemist.
An English version was published in
1993. 2
A French surgeon, Jean Valnet,
pioneered the medicinal uses of essential oils, which he used as antiseptics in
the treatment of wounded soldiers
during World War II. 3
Oil Types and uses
Most essential oils are extracted from
flowers or plant tissues through steam
distillation or solvent extraction. Herbs
are also used to make herbal distillations such as rosemary, sage, basil,
chamomile, rose and lemon balm.
A Japanese study of lemon essential oil
in vapor form was found to reduce
stress in mice, while another study by
the Ohio State University indicated that
lemon oil aroma may enhance one’s
mood and help with relaxation.4,5
Chamomile, Jasmine, Lavender and
Peppermint are used for anti-stress,
anti-anxiety and as an anti-depressant.
Sage oil has been suggested to boost
short-term memory performance using
it as a dietary supplement. 6
There are several application modes for
aromatherapy use:
Aerial diffusion: for environmental
fragrancing or aerial disinfection
Direct inhalation: for respiratory
disinfection, decongestion, expectoration as well as psychological
effects
Topical applications: for general
massage, baths, compresses,
therapeutic skin care
Some essential oils such as tea tree7
have demonstrated anti-microbial
effects, but there is still a lack of
clinical evidence demonstrating
efficacy against bacterial, fungal, or
viral infections. Evidence that aromatherapy is useful in treating medical
conditions remains poor, but some
evidence exists that essential oils may
have some therapeutic potential.8
Some topical applications are said to
relieve minor pains, such as arthritic
pain. Others in the form of a spray or
use in a diffuser are used to reduce
anxiety, supposedly enhance short-term
memory or reduce exzema. Many
people use essential oils as relaxation
method when added to a warm bath.
Presented by: Dr. Henre J. Andosca & Easthampton Chiropractic
51 Union St., Easthampton, MA 01027
(413) 527-8880; www.chiropracticeasthampton.com
Relaxation
While precise knowledge of the
synergy between the body and aromatic
oils is often claimed by aromatherapists, the effectiveness of aromatherpay
remains unproven. Aromatherapy does
not cure conditions, but it is suggested
that it helps the body to find a natural
way to cure itself and improve immune
response. 9
peel oils. Always store essential oils
out of the reach of childen as some can
cause severe poisoning, if even a small
amount is ingested. It has also been
found that some oils are toxic to
domestic animals, with cats being
especially affected if the oil comes in
contact with their skin – knocking over
a diffuser for instance.
Conclusion:
While the benefits of aromatherapy,
such as relaxation, especially from a
massage using essential oils, there is no
evidence of any long-term results. The
consensus among most medical professions is that while some aromas have
demonstrated effects on mood and
relaxation there is currently insufficient
evidence to support the use of aromatherapy for any medical conditions.
Be careful when using essential oils as
they can irritate the skin if used
topically in an undiluted form. They
are normally diluted with a ‘carrier’ oil
such as jojoba, olive or coconut oil.
With continued use some oils can
eventually cause skin reactions, especially if the oils contain lemon or lime
Quote to Inspire
“Happiness
radiates like the
fragrance from a flower
and draws all good
things towards you.”
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
References and Sources:
1. University of Maryland Medical Center
– Aromatherapy”.
2. Gattefossé, R.-M.; Tisserand, R.
(1993). Gattefossé's aromatherapy.
Saffron Walden: C.W. Daniel. ISBN
0-85207-236-8
3. Valnet, J.; Tisserand, R. (1990). The
practice of aromatherapy: A classic
compendium of plant medicines &
their healing properties. Rochester,
VT: Healing Arts Press. ISBN
0-89281-398-9
4. Komiya, Migiwa; Takeuchi, Takashi;
Harada, Etsumori (2006). "Lemon oil
vapor causes an anti-stress effect via
modulating the 5-HT and DA activities
in mice". Behavioural Brain Research
172 (2): 240–9. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.
2006.05.006. PMID 16780969.
5. Kiecolt-Glaser, Janice K.; Graham,
Jennifer E.; Malarkey, William B.;
Porter, Kyle; Lemeshow, Stanley;
Glaser, Ronald (2008). "Olfactory
influences on mood and autonomic,
endocrine, and immune function".
Psychoneuroendocrinology 33 (3):
328–39. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.
2007.11.015. PMC 2278291. PMID
18178322. Lay summary – Ohio State
University Research (3 March 2008).
6. Melissa Hantman (11 November
2003). "Spicing Up Your Memory".
Psychology Today.
7. Carson, C. F.; Hammer, K. A.; Riley,
T. V. (2006). "Melaleuca alternifolia
(Tea Tree) Oil: A Review of
Antimicrobal and Other Medicinal
Properties:. Clinical microbiology
Reviews 19 (1): 50- 62.doi:10.1128/
CMR.19.1.50-62,2006. PMC 1360273
PMID 16418522.
8. Edris, Amr E. (2007). "Pharmaceutical
and therapeutic Potentials of essential
oils and their individual volatile
constituents: A review". Phytotherapy
Research 21 (4): 308–23. doi:10.1002/
ptr.2072. PMID 17199238
9. Kim HJ (June 2007). "Effect of
aromatherapy massage on abdominal
fat and body image in
post-menopausal women]. Taehan
Kanho Hakhoe Chi (in Korean) 37 (4):
603–12. PMID 17615482.
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