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Case
Study
Aromatherapy and the Menopause
When undertaking the treatment of menopause for a
client who does not wish to go on hormone replacement
therapy (HRT), I have found that with the appropriate
dietary advice and aromatherapy treatment, she can go
through the menopausal years without severe discomfort.
There are probably as many diverse definitions of
essential oils (also known as ethereal oils) as there
are aromatherapy practitioners and teachers. My favorite
definition is that essential oils are volatile,
aromatic, usually distilled, plant essences with
medicinal and therapeutic effects on all living beings.
They can, if used in a therapeutic manner, work not only
on human beings, but also on animals, and in some cases
help other plants to protect themselves from microbes
and fungi. The main functions of essential oils within
the plant are to favor pollination, protect the plant
from bacterial aggression and attract friendly insects.
Depending on the plant, the site of oil production may
be mainly in either the leaves, the petals, the rind,
the bark or the root.
The menopause is the time when the ovaries cease to
produce oestrogens and progesterone, and there is a need
to replace their effects with adequate nutrition for
health and well-being.
Progesterone has the following effects on the female
body: increases libido, helps prevent cancer of the
uterus, protects against fibrocystic breast disease,
maintains the endometrium, ensures the normal
functioning of breast tissue to prevent breast cancer,
stimulates the osteoblasts, helps with the storage of
calcium in the bone necessary for building new bone,
strengthens skin elasticity. Progesterone is a natural
diuretic; it encourages the burning of fat and use of
stored energy. It is known to have a normalising effect
on the blood clotting process, looks after the foetus,
and is involved in the prevention of stress through
hormonal pathways.
We currently do not know of any essential oils with
plant progesterones or with progesterone-like actions.
However, progesterone is present in wild yams and is
part of the realm of phytotherapy.
Oestrogen has the following effects on the human
body: Decreases libido, increases the risks of uterine
cancers, encourages the growth of the endometrium, slows
down the reabsorption of old bone, encourages salt and
water retention in the body, thins skin, increases blood
clotting, encourages fat stores in certain parts of the
body, its excess produces depression and headaches.
Oestrogens are steroids. They encourage the development
of the ovum and of the fertilised egg.
There are oestrogen-like molecules described as
constituents of various essential oils, amongst them
sage (Salvia officinalis), clary sage (Salvia
sclarea), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var.
dulce).
How can aromatherapy help during the menopause? It is
known that smells can initiate physical and
psychological reactions by stimulating the release of
neurotransmitters in the brain. This accounts for the
findings that people who surround themselves with
enjoyable fragrances have enhanced self-esteem. When
correctly selected and blended, essential oils It can
enhance a woman's emotional equilibrium. Similarly, they
can alleviate the frequent mood swings and emotional
reactions are often associated with the menopause, such
as restlessness, tension, listlessnness, fearfulness,
anxiety and loss of self-esteem by inducing relaxation,
calmness and equilibrium.
Some examples of essential oil formulations that I
have used successfully for patients with premenopausal
and menopausal symptoms include essential oils of:
4 drops of roman chamomile (anthemis nobilis)
4 drops of spike lavender (lavandula latifolia)
4 drops of true lavender (lavandula angustifolia)
2 drops of clary sage (salvia sclarea)
This blend may be used either in the bath, at a
proportions of 5 drops diluted in a teaspoon of almond
oil for a full fath, or as a 3 percent dilation in sweet
almond oil, Rosa mosqueta oil or jojoba oil for a
massage oil. The effect of this formulation is to
improve circulation and increase diuresis, hence
diminishing irritability, memory and concentration
lapses, and other common symptoms due to lack of
oestrogens and progesterone that have a direct
relationshp with the onset of the menopause.
A very pleasant and relaxing blend for those days
when hot flashes make you feel awful is:
3 drops of bergamot (citrus bergamia)
2 drops of myrrh (commiphora myrrha)
2 drops of ylang ylang (canaga odorata forma
genuna)
4 drops of sweet fennel (foeniculum vulgaris var.
dulce)
4 drops of geranium (pelargonium odorantisimum)
Prepare a massage oil with this blend of essential
oils in a 3 percent dilution formulation in 30 ml Rosa
rubiginosa and 20 ml of jojoba.
The following is strengthening and comforting massage
oils and diffuser blend for those days when you feel
very stressed and unable to cope with the day’s events:
4 drops of essential oil of black spruce (picea
mariana)
4 drops of atlas cedarwood (cedrus atlantica)
5 drops of ylang ylang (canaan
odorata
forma genuine)
3 drops of sandalwood (santalum
album)
Add this to 4 ml hazelnut oil to which you previously
added 10 ml Rosa rubiginosa.
All of the above formulations should be used in an
alternating weekly pattern for up to seven days each.
These should be alternated with the client’s
personalised blend, which should be used by them at home
in between treatments.
The management of the menopause should also include
dietary supplements, such as wild yam, fresh fennel,
fresh celery and fresh spinach leaves in a large salad
to which pumpkin seeds and sesame seed have been added.
The Aromatic Thymes, Spring, 1997.
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Case
Study
Treating Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia (FM) is according to some sources of
information the most common of all rheumatic conditions
despite the fact that it has been recognized and
diagnosed as an ailment for only the past 10 years. It
manifests as a multitude of symptoms that cause much
distress and pain to the sufferers. So far, allopathic
medicine is only able to relieve the discomforts and
pains with analgesic and antidepressant drugs to ease
daily life.
My work with fibromyalgia began more than 4 years ago
at a request from the local Fibromyalgia Group of the
Rheumatic Association. Initially, the aim was to find
some way to ease the pain and to help with the sleeping
problems experienced by those who suffer from FM. The
first stage in programme was to create a self-help blend
of essential oils. For this, case histories were taken
from 20 FM sufferers. Information on their past and
current state of health and medications was collected
and then a blend of essential and base oils was
formulated the (subsequently called Fibromix) and
the group then tested its efficacy.
Half the group served as controls and the other half
used the blend. Next, the control group used the blend
and the original test group served as the control. Two
of the subjects did not complete their part of the test,
but sufficient positive information was gained to
encourage making another shorter, simpler trial. In this
second trial, seven FM sufferers took part in a 3-week
test. Each of them recorded on a numerical scale their
level of pain for I week without using the blend and
then continued the same style of recording whilst using
the oil blend for 2 weeks. The result showed lowered
pain experience in all but one of the test subjects.
Following this success, aromatherapists here in
Finland began to treat FM sufferers with aromatherapy
massage. This article reports on these treatments (case
studies) and shows efficacy of aromatherapy as a
possible treatment for FM.
The treatment offered by allopathic medicine to those
with FM aims to improve the quality of life by reducing
pain and improving sleep. Combining the available
information on FM and its treatments with my knowledge
and experience of essential oils, the aim was to give
the same relief as allopathic medicine offers by using
essential oils and aromatherapy massage. The results of
the treatments were very positive.
Three recent research works made here in Finland (Mikkelsson,
1998; Hyyppa et al., 1998; Rahinantti, 1998) as well as
other older reference sources on FM provide background
information about the currently known facts on the FM
symptoms and their possible causes.
The International Journal of Aromatherapy, Vol.
11, No. 1, 2001
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Aromatherapy
Case Study
The
Phoenix Gazette, Tuesday, December 24, 1996
British
Doctors fear 'superbug' can elude, thrive on antibiotics
. . . .
Associated Press London
London
doctors fear they may
The
bacterium infected two post-operative patients
at St. George's Hospital, and when treated with antibiotics
quickly adopted them as a vital part of its metabolism,
the patients' doctors wrote in a letter published Friday,
in the Lancet medical journal.
Essential
oils are the healing life-force of plants. They contain
virtually all of the plants healing nutrients, oxygenating
molecules, amino acid precursors, coenzyme A factors,
trace minerals, enzymes, vitamins, hormones and more.
That is why a growing number of health professionals
consider essential oils to be medicine. . . . A medicine
no know pathogen can survive.
Dr.
Jean Valent, a well known French medical researcher
points out that the essential oil from thyme literally
destroys the anthrax bacillus, the glanders bacillus,
staphylococcus, the diphtheria bacillus, meningococcus,
and Kock's bacillus, which is the bacterial responsible
for tuberculous lesions.
Dr.
Valnet adds that the works of Morel and Rochaix have
demonstrated the vapors of lemon oil alone will neutralize
the typus bacillus and staphylococcus in only five minutes
and the diphtheria bacillus in just twenty minutes.
Moreover,
infectious pathogens have yet to find a way to become
resistant to essential oils, as they do with antibiotics.
Dr. Valent states, "Infectious microbes do not appear
to become accustomed to the essential oils as they do
to the many forms of treatment using antibiotics. This
is very important. Antibiotics are certainly powerful
weapons, but they can be dangerous and are easily and
often misused. Indeed, quite apart from the abusive
use of antibiotics, the dramatic increase recently in
the resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to all types
of antibiotics, sometimes even the latest ones, is well
know. "(However, we are finding that the effects of
the same oils remain almost unchanged...."
Recent
testing in the U.S. has shown the essential oil of clove,
oregano and thyme to be even more powerful than penicillin,
the medical community's mainline defense for fighting
these "strange" diseases. The results of this study will
be soon published in a well known medical journal.
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Case
Study
Aromatherapy
Quarterly, Winter 1997 Article by Alan Baker, a clinical
aromatologist.
Ms.
A. had a long history of migraine. She was referred
to me after having tried most of the preparations available
in herbal shops, as well as allopathic medication. It
has been decided to try aromatic medicine.
I
started by finding out as much of her medical history
as possible in order to define the type of migraine
she was experiencing. It has been diagnosed as a non-digestive,
vascular migraine.
We
started with a look at her diet in order to identify
and eliminate those foods which may have been contributing
to or aggravating her migraines. With a new dietary
regime in place, the next step was to decide on the
best essential oil formula for Ms. A.
We
started with a 1% dilution of rosemary [officinalis,
ct. Cineole] with 2% ginger and 1% sweet marjoram. This
blend was applied to the neck and shoulders in a massage
cream base. The methods of use and application sequence
were taught to Ms. A's partner, and a further appointment
was made for one month's time.
After
a month, she appeared in the clinic and said that there
had been very little improvement. I decided to change
the formula slightly and also to increase the applications
to three massage applications per week, plus an additional
application on or about the time of an attack. I gave
Ms. A. a chart to fill in which monitored the frequency
of her migraines and plotted any progress graphically.
Such charts can be an invaluable way of demonstrating
improvements; so often the patient only remembers the
bad days and does not register the good ones. Again,
appointment was given for a month's time.
Ms.
A. had been consistent in filling in her chart. She
said she had noticed a few good days but nothing too
wonderful. At this meeting, I decided to keep to the
current oil formula and allow another month to see if
there would be any difference in the chart. One month
on, Ms. A. appeared again and her chart was much improved.
She said the chart had been a great value in enabling
her to observe the slight improvements which she had
previously been unable to see.
Six
months later, the frequency of migraine attacks has
been reduced to one per 14 days. This is acknowledged
as a great improvement. Part of the ongoing treatment
will be to monitor the essential oil formula and adjust
it when necessary to changing needs of Ms. A.
We
have now decided to decrease the frequency of massage
to one application per week and have found that the
improvement in Ms. A. has been maintained. The massage
formula is at the same dilution but I have replaced
the ginger with Eucalyptus smythii.
I
am sure that the massage itself has had as beneficial
an effect as the essential oil treatment.
The
good news is that Ms. A.'s quality of life has greatly
improved. She is still receiving allopathic treatment
and I am working closely with the consultant in this
field - a truly complimentary approach.
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Case
Study
Aromatherapy
Quarterly, Winter 1997 Article by Alan Baker, a clinical
aromatologist.
Mrs.
C. is a 34 year old and just married. She has no children
but is hoping to start a family in the near future.
For
the last 9 months she has had a continuing problem of
bowel disturbances. These have been investigated by
the normal orthodox methods within the hospital and
she has been giving a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS).
Mrs.
C. had been giving some digestive relaxants and
she
had a session with the hospital dietician; she came
to me to see if there was anything that could
be offered
in conjunction with conventional medicine.
I
was pleased to look at the case as it so typified the
kind we get at our clinic. The most noticeable feature
was that Mrs. C. was extremely stressed; that was blamed
on her working environment. Also she was not sleeping
or eating at regular times. She did admit to following
the dietary guidelines given - but only at the times
that suited her working environment!
Full
body aromatherapy massage treatment for relaxation was
given, using oils at 1% dilution. The blend consisted
of: geranium bourbon, ylang ylang and ginger.
I
also suggested she try a specific, very gentle abdominal
massage routine using peppermint, again in a 1% dilution,
together with coriander seed at 0.5%. She received this
treatment once a week.
Mrs.
C. also agreed to a consultation for taking specially
selected Bach Flower Remedies to counter her stress.
We looked at ways she could develop a more relaxed approach
to her work, and incorporated easy relaxation routines
into her day, such a as self-massaging appropriate shiatsu
points. This combined strategy worked well, It brought
a relatively swift turnaround, lowering Mrs. C.'s levels
of stress and alleviating the major IBS symptoms within
3 weeks.
Mrs.T.
is a 63 year old lady with arthritic knees and hip joints.
She was on so many allopathic drugs that her family
doctor did not want to introduce yet more medication
into her regime. So she was referred to our clinic by
the GP to try a complementary approach.
We
gave Mrs. T. a skin sensitivity test for essential oils
and offered her a nutrition treatment plan which included
removing from her diet those elements that were aggravating
her arthritis.
The
oils were selected primarily for their anti-inflammatory
properties an were blended in dilution in a calendula
cream carrier. They were: peppermint 1%, white birch
1%, yarrow 2% and green pepper 0.5%. She applied this
cream mornings and evenings to the affected joints,
and reported alleviation of symptoms within 10 days
of her combined dietary/essential oils routine.
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Case
Study
Aromatherapy
Quarterly, Summer 1997 Article by Alan Baker, a clinical
aromatologist.
Ms.
S. is a 20 years old and has had recurrent cystitis.
Conventional methods of treatment to remove the bacteria
have so far failed, so the clinic decided to try a complementary
approach. Ms. S. was in obvious pain and anxiety. The
frequency of urination was high and she had developed
an irritation in the vaginal mucosa. One of the first
steps was to assess the effects of her diet on the condition.
We decided to alter or delete certain foods. The main
priority was to boost her immune system. So her diet
had to consist mostly of nutrient-rich, very fresh,
unprocessed foods: steamed vegetables, salads, with
celery and parsley, natural whole grains, beans and
pulses and a major reduction of meats which stresses
the kidneys.
We
ensured she was drinking sufficient fluid 1.5-2 litres
water per day, plus herb teas like sage, rosehip and
golden rod infusion. We also instructed her to use a
bottle washing programmed [Shreeve] and to swab the
genital area with the infused waters from Calendula
officinalis [1 heaped teaspoon of flowers to a cup full
of boiling water. Infuse and allow to cool, the strain.
Apply after each visit to the toilet.] In addition,
to the area around the bladder Ms. S. was to apply formula
consisting of 1 drop Thymus satureiodies, 1 drop ginger,
1 drop manuka in 60 mls of calendula cream once per
day for 10 days [dermal application]. A heat pad was
placed over the application for ten minutes, at heat
setting number 2. She also took a course of acidophilus
tablets, one tablet threes times a day. We use the Bach
flower remedies on almost all our clients a d so we
did in Ms. S.'s case. I recommend them wholeheartedly
as the results so far have been very good.
Since
embarking on this course of treatments, and in a relatively
short time, the severity of Mrs. S.'s cystitis has come
under control and her general health has dramatically
improved.
A
60 year old lady, Mrs. K., came to us with severe rheumatoid
arthritis. She was having great difficulty walking with
inflamed knee joints and lower back.
We
started by assessing her diet and introduced some basic
changes to redress the acid/alkaline balance of the
body, eliminating those foods that were aggravating
and contributing to the inflammation. We increased her
liquid intake to one and a half litres a day. We also
devised a formula to be applied locally to her knees
and lower back. This was administered by Mrs. K. at
the clinic once a week. She had a heat pad put over
these areas, on a low setting, so as to increase the
absorption of the cream (do be careful with heat and
rheumatoid arthritis; in some cases this is not appropriate
to the condition).
The
cream prescription was: 1 drop Thymus vulgaris, 1 drop
coriander seed, 1 drop green pepper (milder and less
irritating than black pepper) in 100 mls base cream
consisting of 50% comfrey (Symphytum officinale) cream
and 50% calendula cream. A choice of Bach flower remedies
was also used. This treatment was aimed at enhancing
Mrs. K.'s quality of life rather than curing her condition.
Her movement has improved greatly and her dependency
on pain killers has been reduced form six aspirins to
one or two a day.
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Scentimental
Vignettes
Aromatherapy
Quarterly, Winter 1997.
By
the 1200s, the warlike lifestyle of the Middle Ages
had mellowed and in castle and cottage garden alike,
there grew plans for pleasure as well as those meant
to battle against illness. During the Crusades, through
contact with the pleasure-living courts of the East,
and interest in fragrance for its own sake was reawakened
in Europe. By the time Philip II of France came to power
late in the 12th century, perfumers were being granted
charters and when Charles the Wise took over, acres
of flowers were grown to produce fragrant materials.
Perfumes distilled from alcohol appeared in the 1300s.
With the increase in culture in Europe in the 13th and
14th centuries, the uses of perfume multiplied, and
by the 17th century almost everything was scented, from
gloves to ink.
Diane
de Poitiers, mistress of Francis I in the 1500s and
later of Henry II, was a patroness of perfume; Henry
III had his linens scented with sachets of violet-scented
orris-root powder, dried leaves of fragrant red roses,
sandalwood, benjamin, storax, calamus root, cloves,
ambergris, coriander and lavender. Cardinal Richelieu
perfumed his rooms by blowing with a bellows a scented
powder of roses, cypress root, marjoram, cloves, benjamin,
storax. Potpourris & Other Fragrant Delights by
Jacqueline Heriteau. Penguin Books Ltd.
Masters
of aromatics, the Egyptians had many uses for cedarwood:
in mummification, as incense, and to protect papyruses
from the assaults of insects. Cleopatra's cedarwood
ship, on which she received Antony, had perfumed sails;
incense burners ringed her throne, and she herself was
scented from head to toe. I return to her now because
she was the quintessential devotee of perfume. She anointed
her hands with kyphi, which contained oil of roses,
crocus, and violets; she scented her feet with aegyptium,
a lotion of almond oil, honey, cinnamon, orange blossoms,
and henna. The walls were an aviary of roses secured
by nets, and her regally perfumed presence arrived before
her, like a kind of calling card in the scent drenched
wind. As Shakespeare imagines the scene:
"From the barge/A strange invisible perfume hits the
sense/Of the adjacent wharfs."
Romans became famous for their spa-like grandeur, but
they actually borrowed the bath from the sybaritic Egyptians.
In the ancient world, royal architecture itself was
often aromatic. Builders of mosques used to mix rosewater
and musk into mortar; the noon sun would heat it and
bring out the perfumes. A Natural History of the Senses
by Diane Ackerman, Chapmans.
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