Aromatherapy

What is aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is a complementary and alternative medicine therapy that uses a variety of scented oils and other compounds for the purpose of positively affecting a person's mood and improving overall health.

Can aromatherapy help people with cancer?
Yes. Using aromatherapy during cancer treatment is a generally safe and excellent way to nurture the body, mind, heart, and spirit. Research with cancer patients has shown that aromatherapy may help relieve anxiety, depression, and nausea. There are many varieties of scented oils and incense from which to choose. Sandalwood, lavender, and patchouly are especially useful to foster relaxation and a sense of inner peace.

Aromatherapy alone is not a treatment for cancer, nor is it known to affect the biology of the disease or an individual’s outcome. As with other complementary and alternative medicine therapies, it should not be used as a substitute for conventional care. Discuss any questions you may have about different kinds of aromatherapy with your physician.

How does aromatherapy work?
The word aromatherapy was first used in the 1920s by the French chemist René Maurice Gattefossé, who devoted his life to researching the healing properties of essential oils after an accident in his perfume laboratory. After accidentally setting his arm on fire, he thrust it into the nearest cold liquid, which happened to be a vat of lavender oil. Immediately, he noticed surprising pain relief. In addition, instead of requiring the expected extended healing process, his burn healed quickly, with minimal discomfort and no scarring. Also, he did not experience the redness, heat, inflammation, and blisters that normally would accompany such burns.

Physiologically, the human sense of smell involves a direct connection between the olfactory organs in the nose and the brain’s hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature and growth as well as emotional responses. Aromatherapy uses a variety of specific scents to help promote awareness and numerous inner healing responses.

Aromatherapy is sometimes practiced in combination with other alternative medical practices and spiritual beliefs. For centuries, many spiritual and healing traditions have recognized the importance of scent as a stimulus to higher awareness and awareness of the inner self. Incense is featured in many religious ceremonies, including Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, and others.

Are there any risks or complications associated with aromatherapy?Aromatherapy is generally safe if used appropriately. However, do not apply essential oils directly to mucous membranes, the eyes, areas of sensitive skin, or any open sores or wounds. Because some essential oils may be poisonous, never taste or swallow any of them. Also, if your breathing capacity is limited in any way, be careful about burning incense. As with other CAM therapies, discuss your use of aromatherapy with your physician.

How can I find a qualified aromatherapy practitioner?
It is important to select a practitioner who is qualified, experienced, and trustworthy. Click here to learn more about how to do this.