Aromatherapy and Cancer

Does aromatherapy help with cancer?  Although, science is still out on this one, I have used aromatherapy to help clients who were recovering from cancer.  That's not to say aromatherapy CURES cancer - it is not a claim a reputable aromatherapist would ever make, but it can help with some of the side effects of cancer, such as pain, nausea and stress.

There are many essential oils which can help in pain management in diseases such as cancer; essential oils such as lavender, roman chamomile and frankincense are known for their analgesic properties.  In addition, essential oils such as lemon, ginger and peppermint can help with nausea and stress relieving essential oils include lavender, rose and geranium.

Aromatherapy is cited as a "support" therapy for cancer, that is it is used to help deal with the side effects associated with cancer.  The use of aromatherapy with cancer should be used with the knowledge of a doctor to make sure it doesnot interact or contradict any other forms of treatments of medication which the patient may be undertaking.  Some clinical studies, according to the National Institute of Cancer, show that aromatherapy helps improve the quality of life for cancer patients, at whatever stage of the disease they may be at.

Always check with a qualified professional before using aromatherapy with a cancer patient, as each person is different and there may be additional contraindications to take into account, in addition to the usual warnings associated with some essential oils and with certain conditions.

However, used correctly and wisely, I believe that aromatherapy is a useful tool to help the quality of life in cancer patients.

For further information consult:

•  The National Institute of Cancer
• Cancer Research U.K.

Aromatherapy, Massage or Aromatology?

Aromatherapy is a term which is often misused and misunderstood; aromatherapy is a collective term, in some instances, used to describe anything from a massage to perfume.  So its no surprise that people are sometimes confused when confronted with aromatherapy.  Aromatherapy can, in fact, be used cosmetically, clininally and medicinally, in addition to massage.

Although aromatherapy is basically the use of essential oils, it is the different ways in which those essential oils are used - and the distinction from fragrance oils - which needs further clarification and definition.  If you though aromatherapy was "just a pretty smell" or "just a massage" read on to learn more about the:

Types of Aromatherapy Treatments and Practices...

Aromatherapy Glossary - An Introduction to Common Aromatherapy Words

When I first started studying aromatherapy, some of the words used to describe essential oils, not to mention some of the more "exotic" essential oils which I had never heard of, often confused me.  What exactly was "adulterated", "cardomon", "cicatrisant", "phototoxic", "synthetic" and "volatile"?

Just a few years ago the world wide web as we know it today was not as evolved - facebook, believe it or not, didn't exist until just a few years ago!  Although I did some research on the internet for my aromatherapy studies, I relied more on actual books for reference.  However, sometimes it would have been nice to find a source where I could go to look something up.  A bit like using the dictionary when you are unsure of a word....

...and so evolved Aromatherapy Glossary, my latest aromatherapy web site!  However, this is purely an information web site, unlike my other aromatherapy web stores and you can simply visit the web site, look up "citratrisant" for example, and go away with the information.  If you want more information about me or my work, there are links to all of my other web sites and some of the aromatherapy words in the aromatherapy glossary link through to a more in-depth article.  I would also encourage you to reference other sources for information, as an aromatherapy student.  However, I do believe Aromatherapy Glossary is a good starting point for many - and will truly help you make "scents of aromatherapy words"! :)

Visit Aromatherapy Glossary to learn more...

Scientific Research Confirms Essential Oils Are an Alternative to Antibiotics

Aromatherapy students have always known the power of essential oils, yet those unfamiliar with the use of essential oils, often dismiss the "real" power of what essential oils can do.  Science is constantly testing essential oils and verifiable research goes a long way to helping essential oils become recognized as more than "just a pretty smell."

Science Daily reports that Professor Yiannis Samaras and Dr Effima Eriotou of the Greek Technological Educational Institute of Ionian Islands recently presented research at the Society for General Microbiology's spring conference in Edinburgh, Scotland which proved the efffectiveness of some antibacterial essential oils in fighting certain "superbugs".

Thyme and cinnamon essential oils were found to be effective against several strains of bacteria in tests carried out.  Professor Samaras said:

" Not only are essential oils a cheap and effective treatment option for antibiotic-resistant strains, but decreased use of antibiotics will help minimise the risk of new strains of antibiotic resistant micro-organisms emerging."

Anti-bacterial essential oils include tea tree, thyme, cinnamon, lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint and black pepper.  Research such as this can only help strengthen the campaign to get essential oils accepted for use into medical settings.  Many scientific studies have been conducted over the years on essential oils - and perhaps slowly the medical profession is truly starting to realize the potential of essential oils...

Cardamom Essential Oil

Cardamom essential oil, sometimes known as cardamon essential oil, is one of the lesser known essential oils in aromatherapy.  However, cardamom is related to ginger essential oil and possesses some similiar properties.  Both the ancient Egyptians and the ancient Greeks used cardamom medicinally.  In addition, traditional Indian and Chinese Medicine have recognized the benefits of cardamom.

To learn more about cardamom essential oil and how to use it in aromatherapy read the full article:

Cardamom Essential Oil for Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy and Spas

Essential oils have a wide number of therapeutic properties which can be used to help heal a number of health problems.  Many spas through out the world are now beginning to realize the potential and benefits of using essential oils in aromatherapy spa treatments.  However, I sometimes get frustrated by the description of some of these "aromatherapy" spa treatments - particularly by the larger hotel chains.  I'm not always convinced that they know exactly the true potential of essential oils or are giving the "right" information to clients.

When I first moved to Sedona, Arizona I was excited by the possibilities of using aromatherapy in Sedona as it is well known for its world class spas and any number of "healing" therapies on offer.  However, therein lies the "problem".  So many people, and particularly a lot of the large hotel chains with their own spas, have jumped on the "healing therapies" band wagon that I feel aromatherapy is, in some ways, becoming "discredited" in Sedona because its just another one of those healing therapies designed to attract tourists to the area.  That's not to say that aromatherapy is "bad" in Sedona - but its a bit of an uphill battle to:

• get  people to understand it is more than "just a pretty smell"
• its not "just a massage"
• its not the same as fragrance oils (which have no therapeutic value, although they may smell nice).

The reason I felt compelled to make a post about this, is that I just read an article in local magazine about aromatherapy on offer at one of the local hotel chains.  I normally don't write posts along these lines, preferring to focus more on the positive things I have discovered/know about aromatherapy, but sometimes there is a need to point out a few misleading "beliefs" about aromatherapy. Extracts from the article which concerned/frustrated me read:

• "(aromatherapy)....sounding like another New Age come-on..."
• "almost every ancient culture has used aromatherapy" - a little misleading - ancient cultures may have used aromatic oils and plants, but not in the sense of aromatherapy as we know it today
• "apply oils on pulse points in the same way as you would perfume" - essential oils should never be used neat, unless under the specific guidance of an aromatherapist, or if you have aromatherapy knowledge of a particular oil, and even then some oils should NEVER be used in this way!
• "Pregnant women should stay away from peppermint and cinnamon oils." - and a number of other essential oils too, and the contraindications should be mentioned to go with that
• although, antibacterial effects of oils was mentioned briefly in the article, there was no specific guidelines as to how to use/mix essential oils with massage oils and the possible contraindications of some essential oils.

Although, I believe the article was written to both promote the hotel spa and, in some ways, to try to highlight the benefits of aromatherapy, I felt it lacked "professionalism."  I am all for promoting aromatherapy but sometimes mis-information can be as damaging as lack of information.  My hope for the future is that aromatherapy and the use of essential oils is understood more in the U.S. and is used in the way it is used in Europe - for true healing purposes!

As a footnote, I would like to add that I am aware that essential oils are used in some therapeutic settings in the U.S.  In addition, although I would like to practice aromatherapy more this way, I do sell aromatherapy gifts and blends through Sedona Aromatherapie, Chocolate Aromatherapy and Aromatherapy Wedding as a way to try and reach people who are not familiar with aromatherapy and to inspire them to learn the true potential of essential oils!  I have just learned to adapt my ways of doing this, for the moment, given my specific location in Sedona!  Perhaps, in the future, essential oils and aromatherapy will become more common in Sedona for their medicinal and therapeutic value - outside of major hotel spas.....

To end on a positive note, Sedona is a wonderful place to experience aromatherapy - just choose your aromatherapist wisely and you will have a true aromatic experience :)

Please leave me a comment below, if you have any specific experiences/thoughts on the use of "Aromatherapy and Spas".