Aroma Therapy in the Treatment of Anxiety

Aromatherapy for Stress and Anxiety
} Diane
Ames DNP, FNP, CCAP
Health Care
} Aurora
Aromatherapy
}
Promotes healing
of:
1. Mind
2.
Body
3.
Spirit
Roman Chamomile
What is aromatherapy?
Lavender Essential Oil
} Distillate
of aromatic plants
oils are distilled or extracted
from plants, trees, and herbs.
} Essential
} May
use leaves, blossoms, flowers,
seeds, bark, roots, fruit, berries.
} Organic
chemistry: ETOH’s, esters
terpenes, phenols, ketones, aldehydes,
oxides, acids
Used with permission by Katerina Svoboda: Secretory Structures of Aromatic
and Medicinal Plants, 2000.
Oil Cavities of Citrus Fruit
Use of Aromatic Plants and
Essential Oils In Ancient History
}Medicine
}Religious
ceremonies
}Rituals
}Perfumes
}Skin
care/beauty
products
}Meditation
}Incense
}Cooking
Used with permission by Katerina Svoboda: Secretory Structures of Aromatic and
Medicinal Plants, 2000.
1
Safety
Essential oils
} Highly
}
concentrated
}
} Inhaling
the odor of essential oils may
invoke psychological and
physiological responses.
}
} Work
on the limbic part of brain
which impacts learning, memory and
emotions.
}
PATCH TEST before topical use, no need for
inhalation/baths
Dilute 2-5 drops of the essential oil with 1 tsp of
carrier oil. Apply to white part of a band aid & put
on forearm for 12-24 hours. Check for allergy sx’s.
Citrus oils tend to be photosensitive to light so avoid
sun exposure for 4 hours or apply under clothing.
Avoid eye splash. Not for internal use.
Methods of Use For Stress
Inhalation
} Inhalation
} Direct
}
application
} Baths
Baths
Massage
} Improves
Add 2-4 drops of oil into bowl of hot water
Spray or use 2-3 drops of essential oil in the
shower.
} Inhale from a cotton ball
} Apply 1-2 drops on a tissue or swatch of
material
} Diffuser
}
} Massage
circulation
}
} Decreases
stress and anxiety
} Decreases
pain and muscle tension
}
Best to mix the essential oil with a small
amount of milk, liquid soap or epsom salts
to disperse the oil into the water.
Use 5-10 drops of essential oil.
} Use
1-5 drops of essential oil in 1 tsp of
carrier oil for a hand or foot massage.
2
Use of essential oils for stress
Carrier Oils
} Anti-anxiety
} Before
} Anti-depressant
applying to the skin, most
essential oils should be diluted in lotion,
cream, carrier oil or Epsom salts.
} Should
be vegetable based and coldpressed
} Grapeseed,
sesame, and olive are
inexpensive and effective.
Essential oil (EO)mixture in
discontinuing long term
benzodiazepines for insomniacs
Japanese study: 42 outpatients used EO
combination
} Tapering of benzo’s while inhaling EO’s
} Doses of benzo’s reduced in 26/29
subjects
} 12 subjects did not require any benzo’s
}
}
Komori, Matsumoto, et al, International J of
Aromatherapy (2006)16, 3-7
EO’s & Effect on Mood, Alertness
& Math Computations
40 adults given 3 minutes of inhalation of
lavender or rosemary; positive EEG
changes
} Lavender
}
}
}
Increased beta power; suggests >
drowsiness and less depressed mood
Rosemary
}
}
}
Decreased frontal/alpha/beta power
Lower anxiety scores, faster at math but not
more accurate
Diego, et al, Aromatherapy +affects mood, EEG patterns of
alertness & math computations (1998) Int J of Neuroscience
} Insomnia
} Grief
} Poor
concentration
} Low immunity
} Physical symptoms
such as head aches
Dental Stress Reduction
} Convenience
sample of 200 adults
ambient scents of orange
or lavender while awaiting dental
procedures
} EO group had less anxiety and
better mood as compared to
exposure to music or controls even
with controlling for dental pain
} Inhaled
}
Lehrner, Marwinski, Lehr, et al, (2005) Ambient
odors of orange & lavender reduce anxiety &
improve mood in a dental office. Physiology &
Behavior, 86, 92-95.
Decreased Salivary Cortisol Levels
22 subjects inhaled EO’s for 5 minutes
Collected saliva immediately afterwards
} Lavender demonstrated parasympathetic
stimulating effects
} Rosemary demonstrated sympathetic
stimulating effects
} Significantly < salivary cortisol & > free
radical scavenging activity
}
}
}
Atsumi & Tonosaki, Smelling Lavender & Rosemary Increases
Free Radical Scavenging Activity & Decreases Cortisol Level In
Saliva, Psychiatry Research (2007) 150(1) 89-96
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Lavender
Lavender
Botanical name: Lavandula angustifolia
}
Common uses: anxiety, depression,
insomnia, burns, infections, wounds,
insect bites
Therapeutic properties: analgesic,
antibacterial, antiviral, antidepressant,
anti-inflammatory
Applications: Inhalant, compresses,
baths, massage, gargle
Mind and Spirit: stabilizes the mind and
heart; equilibrium
}
}
}
}
Bergamot
Bergamot
}
}
}
}
}
Botanical name: Citrus auranium
Common uses: Found in Earl Grey tea, anxiety,
depression, acne, bronchitis
Therapeutic properties: antispasmodic,
sedative, analgesic, antidepressant, tonic
Applications: compresses, diffuser, skin care,
bath, massage. Is phototoxic- apply in an area
not exposed to sun.
Mind and Spirit: relax and let go, strength
Frankincense
}
}
}
}
}
Botanical name: Boswellia carterii
Common uses: stress, meditation, antiinflammatory, wound care
Therapeutic properties: anti-inflammatory,
analgesic, antidepressant, antibacterial,
Applications: compresses, diffuser, skin care,
bath, massage.
Mind and Spirit: quiets the mind, heals the spirit,
meditative aid
Tea Tree
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Tea Tree
}
}
}
}
Peppermint
Botanical name: melaleuca alternifolia
Common uses: acne, cold sores, wounds,
sore throat, thrush, athletes foot, toe nail
fungus, psoriasis, dandruff, head lice
Therapeutic properties: Immunostimulant,
antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, wound
healing
Applications: (Patch test first- may use
undiluted if no allergy) gargle,
compress, inhalation.
Anxiety
Peppermint
}
}
}
}
}
Bergamot-citrus
bergamia
} Ylang ylang-cananga
odorata
} Lavender-lavandula
angustafolia
} Geranium-pelargonium
graveolens
} Roman chamomilechamaemelum nobile
} Diffusion, baths,
massage, topical
}
Botanical name: Mentha piperita
Common uses: headaches, muscle pain,
sinusitis, indigestion, mental fatigue,
nausea
Therapeutic properties: analgesic,
expectorant, antispasmodic
Applications: Inhalant, use with carrier oilskin irritant, baths, foot soaks, massage
Mind and Spirit: enhances concentration
Bergamot
Ylang ylang
Depression
Mental Fatigue
Basil- ocimum basilicum
Clary sage-salvia
sclaria
} German chamomilematricaria recutita
} Sandalwood-santalum
album
} Patchouli-pogostemon
patchouli
} Bath, massage, diffuse,
topical
}
}
}
Clary sage
sandalwood
}
Peppermint-mentha
piperita
Lemon-citrus limon
peppermint
}
}
}
Rosemary-rosmarinus
officinalis
Basil-ocimum basilicum
Diffusion, inhalation,
massage
rosemary
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Insomnia
Menopausal Symptoms
Lavender-lavandula
angustifolia
} Marjoram-origanum
majorana
} Mandarin-citrus
reticulata
} Sandalwood-santalum
album
} Diffuser works best for
intermittent awakening.
Bath, inhalation,
topical.
}
lavender
Clary sage
marjoram
fennel
Low immunity
Bereavement
} Angelica-angelica
Tea tree-melaleuca
alternifolia
} Lavender-lavandula
angustifolia
} German chamomilematricaria recutita
} Lemon-citrus limon
} Palmarosa-cymbopogen
martini var motia
} Diffusion, inhalation,
topical, baths, massage
}
tea tree
Geranium-pelargonium
graveolens
} Lavender-lavandula
angustifolia
} Fennel-foeniculum
vulgare
} AVOID clary sage and
fennel if estrogen
dependent cancer
} Spritz, massage,
diffusion
}
neroli
archangelica seed
} Neroli-citrus
aurantium var
amara flos
} Everlasting flowerhelichrysum
} Diffuse, topical
helichrysum
palmarosa
Meditation
} Frankincense
}
boswellia carterii
commiphora myrrha
frankincense
} Diffusion,
topical
Clary sage: enhances dreams
Eucalyptus: depletes negative energy
} Rose: love
} Sage: manifests strength
} Sandalwood: stills the mind
} Neroli: enhances creativity, calming
} Peppermint: decreases inferior feelings
} Patchouli: strengthens and grounds
}
}
} Myrrh}
Selected Essential Oils and
Emotional Properties
massage,
myrrh
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Self limiting treatment suggestions
Emotional Support
}
Insecurity
}
Irritability
}
}
Happiness &
peace
Anger
}
}
}
}
Frankincense, bergamot,
sandalwood, jasmine
Lavender, mandarin, R.
chamomile, sandalwood
Bergamot, frankincense,
lemon, ylang ylang
Patchouli, bergamot, rose
Stress Bath Fizzy
¼ cup baking soda
¼ cup ascorbic acid
} 3 drops of relaxing oil
} Mix together
} Toss a handful into the bath
} To mold and wrap: add 1-2 drops of oil,
compress into candy or soap mold
} Store in dry, cool place, shelf life 3-6
months
} Cold
sores-tea tree, palmarosa
(topical)
} Colds/flu-tea tree, ravensara,
eucalyptus, peppermint (inhalation,
bath)
} Sinusitis-eucalyptus, peppermint
(inhalation)
} Acne-lavender, tea tree, bergamot
(topical)
Relaxing Bath Salts
½ cup sea salts
¼ cup baking soda
} 4-5 drops of relaxing essential oil
} Mix the sea salt and baking soda
together.
} Add the essential oil.
} Stir until mixed.
} Will keep for approximately 6 months
}
}
}
}
Invigorating Foot Massage
2 teaspoons grapeseed oil
1 drop peppermint oil
} 1 drop rosemary oil
} 1 drop eucalyptus oil
} After mixing apply small amount and
massage into feet.
} Socks will help soften and absorb any
excess oil
References
}
}
}The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy,
2nd edition. Salvatore Battaglia, The Perfect
Potion Press, (Australia) 2004.
}Clinical Aromatherapy, Essential Oils in
Practice, 2nd ed, Dr. Jane Buckle, Churchill
Livingston, 2003
}Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, 3rd
edition. Shirley & Len Price, Elsevier, 2007.
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Contact Information
y
Diane Ames
y
diane.ames@aurora.org
8