Teaching The Art Of Aromatherapy To Soothe And Heal
27 Aug 2006

A bubble bath that improves memory. A kitchen cleaner that wards off nausea
and energizes. A scented handkerchief that calms a patient entering the MRI.
The benefits of aromatherapy are real. Below, learn the uses, healing
properties and how-tos of using aromatherapy to heal and de-stress from The
University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Scan the shelves of the local bath and body stores and one is sure to find
products labeled for aromatherapy. Many might be surprised to learn the
science behind it. So what is aromatherapy, how is it used and will those
products actually work?

Cherie Perez, a supervising research nurse in the Department of
Genitourinary Medical Oncology, teaches a monthly aromatherapy class to
answer those questions for cancer patients and caregivers undergoing
treatment at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Perez's classes are offered free
of charge through M. D. Anderson's Place...of wellness, a center within the
institution that focuses on helping patients and caregivers deal with the
non-medical issues of living with cancer, and is the first complementary
therapy facility to be built on the campus of a comprehensive cancer center.

Perez, who first became involved with aromatherapy to help relieve the
physical pain and discomfort caused by fibromyalgia, shares her professional
knowledge of the basics of aromatherapy, safety precautions and interactive
demonstrations in each hour-long class.

Oils and healing

While essential oils may not directly stimulate the immune system, they can
complement cancer treatment by boosting the system's ability to fight off
infections, says Perez.

Certain oils can also stimulate lymphatic drainage or have antibacterial
properties. Since it has many potential uses ranging from managing anxiety
and nausea to helping with sleep, general relaxation, memory and attention,
many individuals, including cancer patients, can benefit from aromatherapy.

There are a variety of different products and methods of diffusion to obtain
the healing benefits of oils. Some oils - like lavender, ylang ylang and
sandalwood can be applied directly to the skin - while others are too
concentrated and need to be diluted into carriers such as massage oils, bath
soaps and lotions. Most typically, Perez advises patients to put a few drops
of an oil, or a combination of oils onto a handkerchief and "fan themselves
like Scarlett O'Hara." Burning oils or incense is not recommended because
most are poorly constructed and give off unhealthy fumes and soot.

Who should, or shouldn't, use oils?

Widely sold in health food stores and beauty chain stores, essential oils do
have chemical properties that can affect the brain and enter the
bloodstream, and for some patients may be toxic when combined with common
cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Perez says
essential oils, like many medicines, can increase a person's sensitivity to
the sun and should be used with caution. Patients should always inform and
discuss with their physicians before using aromatherapy oils to complement a
medical condition.

People with high blood pressure should avoid hyssop, rosemary, sage and
thyme, while diabetics should avoid angelica oil. Women who are pregnant or
nursing should avoid a number of oils that stimulate the uterus including
star anise, basil and juniper to name a few and should use with caution
peppermint, rose and rosemary in the first trimester. According to Perez,
pediatric patients can use aromatherapy essential oils in very low
concentrations.

Aromatherapy's role in cancer treatment

"The nature of aromatherapy makes it challenging to study due to the fact
that it is difficult to create a placebo and every person is different in
their nasal sensitivities and skin absorption rates," says Perez. In the
future, however, she would be interested in designing research to examine
how aromatherapy can be used to treat/heal burns caused from radiation
treatment safely and effectively, soothe pre-treatment anxiety and manage
loss-of-memory issues in cancer survivors.

M. D. Anderson is located in Houston and was designated by the National
Cancer Institute as one of the first three Comprehensive Cancer Centers in
the United States. For 4 of the last 7 years, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
has ranked number one in cancer care in "America's Best Hospitals," a survey
published annually in U.S. News & World Report. M. D. Anderson has provided
care for more than 600,000 cancer patients since 1944.

Read more:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=50543&nfid=al