Aromatherapy

AROMATHERAPY

Submitted by Patricia Avery, Caregiver Resource Center Program Coordinator

Fall is here and with it come the many scents of the season: pumpkin spice, apples, the crisp morning air after a frost, freshly raked leaves. Chances are, when we encounter one of these scents it immediately invokes memories of past experiences. Memories perhaps of our mom baking a pumpkin pie, or of bobbing for apples as a child, walking to the school bus on a chilly fall morning, or the fun of jumping into a pile of leaves. Scent is proven to be a strong evoker of memories. This is true for all of us, including those who have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Research has shown that using scent (aromatherapy) with individuals who have dementia can not only stimulate memory but also affect mood, sleep, and pain in a positive way.

Using scents can be a powerful tool for caregivers in dealing with the many facets of dementia. Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants. They capture the plant’s scent and flavor, or essence. Essential oils are a readily available and relatively inexpensive way to supplement other more traditional means of addressing mood problems such as anxiety and depression, insomnia, inflammation, headaches, and pain. Each oil has been found to provide specific benefits. See below for some common oils and their uses.

Lavender Oil

Lavender can help with stress, pain, and sleep. Before the discovery of antiseptics, lavender was also used as a cleaning agent in hospitals.

Frankincense Oil

Known as the “king of oils,” frankincense can help with inflammation, mood and sleep. Studies have shown that it can also improve asthma and might prevent gum disease. Frankincense oil has a woody, spicy scent and can be used as aromatherapy and can be found in skin creams.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is known to: Be an anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antimicrobial, Ease headaches, fight fatigue, lift mood, support digestion, and support memory. Peppermint tea can settle your stomach, too, if you have irritable bowel syndrome or gastric irritation.

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus is a great essential oil to have on hand during cold season. It soothes a stuffed-up nose by opening your nasal passages so you can breathe easier. (Peppermint oil can also help with this.) It can also relieve pain and fight against herpes simplex virus thanks to its antimicrobial and antiinflammatory properties.

Lemon Oil

Lemon oil is known to reduce anxiety and depression, reduce pain, ease nausea, and kill bacteria.

Lemongrass Oil

Lemongrass oil has a strong citrus scent and is known to help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression.

Orange Oil

Orange oil is known to kill bacteria, reduce anxiety, and reduce pain.

Rosemary Oil

You’ve probably reached for rosemary to add flavor to some of your recipes. But using rosemary oil also has some additional benefits like improving brain function, promoting hair growth, reducing pain and stress, lifting your mood, and reducing joint inflammation.

Bergamot Oil

What is bergamot? If you’re a fan of Earl Grey tea, then you have had bergamot. Bergamot oil is known to reduce anxiety, lift mood, and lower blood pressure. Essential oils have varying routes of delivery such as diffusion, topical application, and ingestion. It is important to research and understand the proper method of usage and contraindications for each before using an essential oil.

Commercially available candles can also provide wonderful scents that help stimulate memory, promote relaxation, and relieve stress/anxiety. Candles with names such as Sugar Cookie, Apple Pie, and Leaves can invoke memories and opens the door to reminisce. Many assisted living centers and nursing facilities are using aromatherapy to enhance traditional care (improve sleep, reduce anxiety, reduce pain, improve depression) and provide cognitive stimulation.

As an added benefit, care receivers are not the only ones who benefit from the therapeutic use of aromatherapy. Caregivers also experience the benefits. Is Mom having a challenging day and you both are feeling the stress? Take a few minutes, put on some soothing music and apply some lavender hand cream or lotion for Mom. Perhaps brew some Earl Grey tea, sip and enjoy. You may both benefit.

Source:

“11 Essential Oils: Their Benefits and How to Use Them.” Cleveland Clinic. December 14, 2021. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ essential-oils-101-do-they-work-how-do-youuse-them/.

“Essential Oils Benefits and Uses Chart.” Performance Health. 2022. https://www. performancehealth.com/articles/essentialoils-benefits-and-uses-chart.

“Health Benefits of Essential Oils.” Nourish by WebMD. Reviewed by Dan Brennan, November 17, 2020. https://www.webmd.com/diet/ health-benefits-essential-oils#1.