There are different ways to use essential oils for aromatherapy. You can apply the oil to your skin or inhale it. The aromatherapist will ask you general questions about your health, lifestyle and medical history. They might ask to speak with your GP if they have any concerns. They will choose the oils which they feel will help you manage your symptoms the most. They might also encourage you to help choose the oils. Used on its own, concentrated essential oils can cause severe skin damage.
Some cancer treatments can make the skin more sensitive. Your therapist will dilute the essential oils. Once mixed with another oil, they massage this into your skin. They might play some relaxing music. An aromatherapy massage usually lasts between 60 to 90 minutes. You can ask for a shorter session if you feel this is too long.
Tell the therapist if you feel uncomfortable at any time or want them to stop. But most people say that an aromatherapy massage is relaxing and soothing. Speak to a qualified aromatherapist before using any oils at home. Some oils can cause skin irritation. Irritation can be worse if you are having cancer drugs or radiotherapy. Scents are often man-made synthetic if the product label doesn't mention essential oils. Get advice first from a qualified aromatherapist.
Aroma sticks are similar in design to nasal inhalers for cold relief. You hold the aroma stick under your nose and breathe in the aroma from the oils. An aromatherapist adds essential oils chosen especially for you.
Or, you can get empty aroma sticks and add your favourite oils yourself. No single organisation regulates aromatherapy practice. There are several professional associations that therapists can join. But they are not required by law to do so. You should choose a therapist who is well-trained and qualified. Contact one of the professional aromatherapy organisations. Ask for a list of therapists in your area.
There is no scientific evidence that aromatherapy can cure or prevent cancer. Most studies in people with cancer focus on:. Most studies seem to suggest it might help as a complementary therapy. That is for some symptoms in people with cancer. Many studies have been small. We need more research to learn how aromatherapy can help. And we need to compare it to other accepted treatments. For hospitals that offer complementary therapies, aromatherapy is often one of the popular treatments.
One study, a Cochrane review in looked at 19 studies. It looked at pain, anxiety, depression and stress in people with cancer. Many of the studies in the review were small and not of good quality. The researchers were aware that aromatherapy and massage might give people a positive experience.
They found that there was not enough evidence to say that massage can help to relieve symptoms. The researchers said we need further studies on aromatherapy and massage. Several other studies over the past few years have looked at using aromatherapy oils. These studies were in people with cancer and to help with anxiety, depression, pain and poor quality of life. In some of these studies aromatherapies helped to reduce some symptoms, but in others, it did not.
The oils used in aromatherapy, called "essential oils," are the highly concentrated extracts of flowers, leaves, stems, roots, seeds, bark, resin, or fruit rinds. Essential oils can be purchased in most health food stores. Because of their high concentration level, essential oils must be diluted before they are rubbed onto the skin. Oils are usually diluted with a "base" or "carrier" oil, which is a vegetable oil processed from nuts, seeds, or trees that helps spread the essential oil over a larger area and protects the skin from a reaction.
The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy reports that commonly used oils can have the following benefits:. Some countries require that practitioners have an aromatherapy license. But no training or licensing is required in the United States or the United Kingdom, so be wary of anyone claiming to be "certified in aromatherapy" in these countries. To find a qualified aromatherapist, look for these credentials:. A comparative study in patients with different types of cancer receiving chemotherapy reported significant reduction in anxiety and improvement in sleep quality following inhalation of lavender oil but not tea tree oil.
In a trial of patients with thyroid cancer , inhalation of lemon and ginger essential oil appeared to increase saliva secretion after radioactive iodine therapy. But a large study of inhalation aromatherapy during radiation treatments failed to find any reductions in anxiety. In a multicenter study of aromatherapy massage in patients with cancer that included 20 essential oils, short-term reductions in anxiety and depression were observed.
Other researchers found it to be as effective as cognitive behavior therapy and preferred by more patients for emotional distress.
Furthermore, patients receiving hospice care experienced reductions in pain and depression following aromatherapy massage with a blended oil bergamot, lavender, and frankincense and improved sleep with lavender oil.
But two systematic reviews highlighted the poor methodology of current trials and the need for larger, rigorous studies for definitive conclusions.
0コメント