Introduction:
Aromatherapy, considered an alternative medicine, proves beneficial in both inpatient and outpatient settings, addressing symptoms like pain, nausea, anxiety, stress, depression, and insomnia. It shows promise in preoperative anxiety, oncology, palliative care, hospice, and suicidal scenarios. While essential oils offer advantages, they can also pose risks, being toxic, flammable, causing dermatitis, and having the potential for oral toxicity and death. The shift from opioid-centric-pain management to exploring Eastern holistic approaches, including aromatherapy, highlights a broader trend in alternative medicine adoption.
What Is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy, a complementary medicine approach, involves using essential oils from aromatic herbs to treat and harmonize the mind, body, and spirit. It combines physiological effects with massage using specific oils. Essential oils primarily impact the sense of smell, influencing the brain through the olfactory system connected to the limbic system, which controls emotions, stress, and hormone balance. Different aromas trigger the release of neurotransmitters like enkephalins, endorphins, noradrenaline, and serotonin, affecting both spirit and body emotions.
Utilized alongside conventional treatments, aromatherapy employs two methods:
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Inhalation aromatherapy.
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Massage aromatherapy.
In aromatherapy massage, aromatic oils are absorbed through the skin, inducing therapeutic effects such as vasodilation, increased skin temperature, pain relief, body relaxation, reduced anxiety, and depression.
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Lavender, known for its therapeutic benefits, acts as a sedative, pain reliever, antidepressant, antiepileptic, and antiheadache agent.
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Rosemary offers antispasmodic, analgesic, antimicrobial, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, and fatigue-reducing effects.
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Chamomile’s health benefits encompass antianxiety, antispasmodic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, anti-peptic ulcer, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
How Does Aromatherapy Affect Old Age People?
Insomnia: Insomnia is difficulty falling and maintaining sleep that can result from poor or lack of sleep. Aromatherapy significantly improved sleep quality in inpatients and elderly individuals. Essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and rosemary may help improve sleep quality. Essential oils' calming and relaxing properties improve sleep, addressing insomnia or restlessness. Aroma massage therapy contributes to muscle relaxation, stress reduction, and improved sleep quality than aroma inhalation. The prolonged effect of aroma massage therapy is associated with slower absorption and release of essential oils, positioning it as a preferable option for improving sleep compared to inhalation therapy.
Anxiety and depression: treatment for depression and anxiety often involves a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Aromatherapy can be a complementary medicine that uses essential oils extracted from aromatic herbs to influence the body, mind, and soul. These essential oils can stimulate the sense of smell, triggering effects in the brain through the olfactory system connected to the emotional control center (limbic system). This stimulation leads to the release of various neurotransmitters, influencing emotions and stress levels.
Aromatherapy massage with lavender, chamomile, and rosemary oils on depression and anxiety in the elderly are attributed to olfactory system stimulation and resulting neurobiological changes. The limbic system, acting as the stress control center, is connected to the olfactory system. Neurotransmitters released by neurons, influenced by aromas, play a crucial role in maintaining a balance that prevents conditions like anxiety and depression.
Aromatherapy massage, specifically, has been shown to relieve self-reported symptoms of anxiety. The combination offers both mental and physical relaxation, influencing the autonomic nervous system and increasing the levels of serotonin and endorphins, which can potentially decrease anxiety, pain, and depression.
How Are Essential Oils Administered in Aromatherapy?
Essential oils are administered through inhalation or skin absorption in aromatherapy. Inhalation, involving methods like using an inhaler or inhaling vapors, allows oils to enter the body through the nasal mucosa and lungs, influencing the bloodstream and the patient’s mental state. Whether in water-based solutions or with a carrier oil for massages, skin application primarily has topical effects but can lead to bloodstream absorption with prolonged exposure. Both methods can be combined for comprehensive aromatherapy experiences.
What Are the Benefits of Aromatherapy?
Harnessing the power of aromatic plants and essential oils, aromatherapy has been utilized for centuries to enhance well-being, alleviate stress, improve sleep, and address various health issues. For the elderly, aromatherapy proves beneficial in managing ailments such as stress, arthritis, and respiratory problems. Particularly advantageous for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, aromatherapy triggers the olfactory nerve, influencing emotions, mood, and memory.
Utilizing methods like oil burners, baths, diffusers, or massages with essential oils such as rosemary, lavender, peppermint, and ylang-ylang, this non-drug stress management technique positively impacts health and overall well-being. Specific essential oils like rosemary aid dementia patients by reducing cortisol levels and improving memory, while peppermint promotes happiness, and ylang-ylang addresses high blood pressure and insomnia. Citrus oils effectively combat anxiety and depression, and oils with anti-viral and decongestant properties like eucalyptus, ravensara, and tea trees relieve colds and respiratory issues. Lavender, known for its mood-boosting and sleep-enhancing properties, further contributes to the holistic well-being of seniors.
What Are the Safer Ways to Use Essential Oils?
The quality of essential oils on the market varies significantly, ranging from pure extracts to diluted versions with cheaper ingredients. Due to the lack of regulation, labels may not accurately disclose the contents of the purchased bottle, emphasizing the importance of avoiding ingesting essential oils.
They can be used as:
Aromatherapy Accessories: Essential oils can be used in absorbent materials like necklaces, keychains, or bracelets to which essential oils can be applied, allowing for continuous inhalation throughout the day.
Body Oil: Create a mixture of essential oils with a carrier oil like olive, jojoba, or coconut oil for massage. Exercise caution, as undiluted essential oils can cause skin irritation.
Aroma Stick: Also known as essential oil inhalers, these portable, absorbent wicks soak up essential oils. They come with a cover to keep the scent contained until ready for use.
What Are the Factors to Consider for Aromatherapy in the Elderly?
While aromatherapy offers a myriad of health benefits for the elderly and their caregivers, it is crucial to consider the following:
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Before engaging in aromatherapy, one must consult a doctor, especially if they are on medications, as certain essential oils may interact with them.
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An individual must be cautious while using essential oils or aromatherapy, as they can have toxic effects when used in large amounts.
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Given the potency of some essential oils, it is necessary to always mix them with a carrier oil before applying them to the skin to prevent adverse reactions.
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When administering aromatherapy massage to the elderly, being gentle is important, considering their skin is thin and more prone to tearing.
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For elderly individuals, it is suggested to use half the recommended percentage of essential oils than for adults.
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After use, store essential oils securely to prevent confusion, as some elderly individuals may confuse them for their medications.
Conclusion:
Aromatherapy holds promise as a holistic approach to enhance the well-being of elderly individuals. While offering various health benefits, it is crucial to approach aromatherapy with caution, considering factors such as potential interactions with medications, toxicity risks in excessive quantities, and the need for gentle application due to thin and delicate skin. Moderate use, diluting essential oils appropriately, and practicing careful massage techniques as suggested by a healthcare professional, can be a valuable complement to the care of older individuals, promoting relaxation, alleviating certain ailments, and contributing to an improved overall well-being.
