A therapy ready to evolve

From nausea to pain relief, aromatherapy is now being used to target physical symptoms

AROMATHERAPY, THE complementary therapy most often associated with enhancing wellbeing and reducing stress is now being used to treat specific physical symptoms.

For instance, in palliative care settings, aromatherapy is being introduced to help treat nausea, breathlessness and fatigue. Essential oils are also called on to reduce noxious odours from wounds and for pain relief.

Aromatherapy consultant and editor of an international journal of aromatherapy, Rhiannon Harris spoke recently about these new clinical applications at the annual palliative care conference organised by Our Lady's Hospice in Harold's Cross, Dublin.

"In Ireland and Britain, the use of touch, fragrance, relaxation, music and art in palliative care is more evolved than in France, where I live," she says.

"And, while the main thrust of aromatherapy continues to be to improve the quality of life of patients, we are seeing more direct clinical interventions using aromatherapy in palliative care settings," she says.

Speaking specifically about the use of aromatherapy for pain relief, Harris says aromatherapy can help with the "multi-faceted, highly individual experience of pain" and that certain essential oils can be used as analgesics.

"Aromatherapy can also be used to help distract patients from pain," she says. "The reduction of anxiety and pain is one of the most positive uses of aromatherapy in palliative care as it can help patients rest and sleep better and, therefore, cope better with their pain."

While aromatherapy is often used in conjunction with gentle body massage, Harris says there are new moves to give patients more direct contact with fragrances by direct application of a gel (with specific diluted essential oils added) on the inside of the nose or through the use of small individualised inhalers.

"These inhalers can also help with breathlessness and, combined with relaxation, taught breathing techniques or hypnosis, can be used by the patients themselves as a cue for relaxation," she explains.

"Depending on what essential oils are used in the inhalers, they can also be used to help patients relieve nausea or maintain alertness when required."

According to Harris, the use of aromatherapy with inhalers is also a very cost-effective therapy because, once the essential oils are chosen, the patient can continue to use the inhalers when necessary.

"Aromatherapy inhalers have revolutionised the use of aromatherapy in cancer care," says Harris. "At a cost of less than €1 per inhaler, they last for several months."

Other clinical applications of aromatherapy in palliative care settings include treating infections, reducing bad smells, in particular, those from external ulcers. "Essential oils can reduce or eradicate malodours from fungating lesions within three to four days," says Harris.

Some research has also been carried out on the potential for aromatherapy in infection control. "Specific concentrations of certain essential oils have been found to reduce the colonisation of MRSA and Clostridium Difficile by using them as a vapour or directly on the wound," says Harris. "You can help disinfect an area through air-borne contact with essential oils and aromatherapy is currently being studied for its future use in anti-infection."

Harris also teaches advanced clinical aromatherapy and is an advocate of further education for aromatherapists who have worked mainly on the holistic health benefits of aromatherapy.

"The challenges for aromatherapy now are to produce more research into these new clinical areas and to educate aromatherapists about these clinical applications," she says.

"We have to always remember that essential oils are not harmless. They are capable of doing good and doing harm. They can cause skin irritations and there are possible drug interactions. So, apart from higher levels of aromatherapy education, we also need improved access to quality essential oils."

And, what is her future vision for aromatherapy in clinical settings? "I would like to see more aromatherapists employed as an integral part of care teams, particularly in cancer care and palliative care," she says.

A first step to integration
Ann Marie McGrath is an aromatherapist working at Our Lady's Hospice in Harold's Cross, Dublin.

"I work mainly within holistic aromatherapy, giving support on an emotional level. Some of the reasons patients are referred to me are anxiety, depression or pain."

McGrath says patients choose aromatherapy sessions from a range of therapies at Our Lady's Hospice. The other complementary therapies on offer are massage and reflexology. Patients also have access to music therapy and art therapy.

"The choice itself is important and those who choose aromatherapy then help select the essential oils that are used in their treatment," she explains.

"Patients generally are positive about the aromas, describing them as pleasant, refreshing, uplifting or clearing.

"Some people prefer not to have 'smelly' oils, in which case I will use a vegetable base oil in my massage treatments.

McGrath says she has studied some of the clinical applications of aromatherapy. "Having access to courses which teach these clinical applications is the first step to integrating them into our practice," she adds.