Calming patients during cancer treatment
Many of us use lavender on our pillows to help with stress and insomnia. “Lavender has analgesic properties, so it can help reduce pain. It’s also been shown to have anxiolytic properties, helping us feel less anxious,” says Professor Goodwin. . These pleasant properties are equally useful in clinical settings.
Aromatherapy is increasingly used in cancer treatment and end-of-life care.in her book Integrating clinical aromatherapy in palliative care, clinical aromatherapist and registered nurse Carol Rose explains how patients can be involved in the process of selecting oils and applications alongside traditional medical options. Massages, nighttime inhalation sticks, hydrosol mouthwashes, and aromatic baths can help treat fatigue, insomnia, shortness of breath, nausea, and promote recovery.
When a friend of mine was being treated for cancer, I asked Lynne Harris, the founder of fragrance brands Miller Harris and Perfumer H, to create a scent that would prevent the smell of chemotherapy. I asked for it. A friend of mine sprayed the blend liberally on her scarf before chemo and swears it helped her get through the treatment.
Promotes memory in dementia patients
Most interestingly, aromatherapy can help people with dementia, says Professor Goodwin. Professor Goodwin is a strong believer in the power of essential oils to penetrate the brain and cause powerful chemical changes in our mood. “Normally, the cells of the brain’s blood vessels are very tightly interlocked to prevent substances from passing through something called the blood-brain barrier. But essential oils are very small aromatic molecules that easily enter the air. They evaporate and can be inhaled. They enter the systemic circulation and enter the brain.”
There is scientific evidence that lavender oil can reduce the occurrence of aggressive behavior in dementia. However, many essential oils can be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. “In people with dementia, amyloid beta protein (amyloid plaques) accumulates between cells, and 6-gingerol (ginger) has been shown to reduce amyloid accumulation. Coriander, like lavender, reduces agitation. Can be used for: Rosemary improves concentration. Sweet orange, sandalwood, rose, and bergamot also help relieve anxiety. Peppermint is a transmitter that plays a role in memory, learning, and attention. “It strengthens acetylcholine.” He advises families of people with dementia to use essential oils when massaging their hands and feet, taking baths, or heating them with an oil burner to boost mood. I’m giving advice.
Testing for loss of smell is actually a fairly reliable way to find out whether a patient has Alzheimer’s disease, Professor Goodwin reports. “There is a case for introducing regular olfactory testing, which is clinically very simple. It works because the loss of smell, which is a neurophysiological process, reflects neurodegeneration throughout the brain.”
calming us down before surgery
The science of smell has made its way into other areas of medicine, helping patients cope with stressful situations such as surgeries and MRI scans. In January, Angel Huston, an MRI technician who performs cardiac MRI at the Cleveland Clinic, presented his findings at the Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Society meeting in London. She developed a technique for using aromatherapy to reduce stress/anxiety in place of Xanax sedation for patients undergoing MRI scans.
Houston lost her older brother to cancer at just 45 years old. Before receiving his diagnosis, he underwent countless tests and prescribed medications. Watching her brother’s treatment progress led her to think about other options that would not affect her brother’s consciousness and sense of control. Houston’s research focuses on how aromatherapy can reduce stress without sedation, allowing patients to stay alert and in control. Patient experience has been very positive, with many patients reporting that aromatherapy significantly reduces their claustrophobia and anxiety.
