User:Chocolataupain/Aromatherapy

History
Edit Summary: Copied from Aromatherapy

'''Aromatherapy’s holistic approach focuses on benefiting the “whole person.” (1) For certain ailments, its use of smell and touch popularized it as an alternative therapy. (1)'''

The use of essential oils for therapeutic, spiritual, hygienic and ritualistic purposes goes back to ancient civilizations including the Indians, Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans who used them in cosmetics, perfumes and drugs. Oils were used for aesthetic pleasure and in the beauty industry. They were a luxury item and a means of payment. It was believed the essential oils increased the shelf life of wine and improved the taste of food. '''Essential oils were also used as aromatic fumigations for plague in hospitals and rid unsanitary streets' stench. '''

Oils are described by Dioscorides, along with beliefs of the time regarding their healing properties, in his De Materia Medica, written in the first century. Ayurveda, Indian traditional medicine, involved aromatic oils in treatment and healing practices. Distilled essential oils have been employed as medicines since the eleventh century, when Avicenna isolated essential oils using steam distillation.

In the era of modern medicine, the naming of this treatment first appeared in print in 1928 in a French book on the subject: Aromathérapie: Les Huiles Essentielles, Hormones Végétales by, a chemist. An English version was published in 1993.

In 1910, Gattefossé burned a hand very badly and later claimed he treated it effectively with lavender oil.

A French surgeon,, pioneered the medicinal uses of essential oils, which he used as antiseptics in the treatment of wounded soldiers during World War II.

'Within nursing, Florence Nightingale applied Lavandula angustifolia'' (lavender) essential oils as treatments to soldiers during the 1954 Crimean War. In the 1960s, biochemist and nurse Marguerite Maury pioneered several aromatherapy clinics in the UK, France, and Switzerland. '''

''' Depending on the region, aromatherapy is considered a medical specialty such as in France, an integrative and complementary practice, or as part of traditional medicine. '''

Theoretic Framework of Aromatherapy
'''Aromatherapy's holistic nature connects to three philosophies of thought. The Florence Nightingale Nursing care model emphasizes the environment's role as a natural healer and restorer. Aromatherapy applies to an environment's "ventilation and cleanliness, rest and relaxation" and environmental changes. Jean Watson's theory connects touch as part of transpersonal care between a nurse and a patient, noted in aromatherapy's physical applications. Martha Rogers' theory considers an "interrelationship between plants and people." '''

Methods of Use
'''Essential oils enter the body through the nose and olfactory system, where olfactory hairs bind aromatic molecules to receptors. (1) Neurons, connected to these receptors, transmit the molecules’ effect to the olfactory bulb and the limbic brain. (1) Inhalation through the “nasal route and respiratory interface” are the most effective for essential oil benefits. (3)'''

Inhalation Methods
'''A nebulizer is a type of diffuser that disperses essential oil molecules into the air. (1)'''

'''Ultrasonic diffusers or humidifiers blend water and essential oils at ultrasonic speeds to disperse into the air. (1)'''

'''Evaporative diffusers use heat to break essential oil and water elements into the air. (1)'''

'''Heat or candle diffusers heat essential oils to release into the air. (1)'''

Perfumery
'''Whether for therapeutic or aesthetic use, a blend combines a top, middle and base note. (1) Top notes will dissipate quickly; thus, citrus and green notes are the lightest scents. (1) Top notes fill twenty to thirty percent of the blend. (1) Middle notes, known as heart notes, provide are the main notes usually from leaves or herb scents. (1) Middle notes fill forty to sixty percent of the blend. (1) The base notes control the other notes’ volatility and create the sedative effect for the rest of the blend. (1) Base notes fill ten to twenty-five percent of the blend. (1) To balance all the scents, a diluting agent may be added. (1)'''

Other Common Uses
'''Applying an essential oil to a tissue and smelling it provides a therapeutic effect. (1)'''

'''Adding an essential oil to steaming water disperses those molecules with water into the air. (1)'''

'''Adding an essential oil to water into a spray bottle creates a perfume as a room spray. (1)'''

Medical Applications
'''Clinical aromatherapy is conducted by medical practitioners trained in evidence-based therapeutic uses of essential oils. (2) Clinicians assess patients’ experience with essential oils through the Likert scale, which measures no discomfort from zero to worst discomfort from ten. (2) In the US, State Boards of Nursing require nurses to complete specialized education on complementary therapies including aromatherapy, although it is not part of general OB/GYN education. (2) Issues of funding and access to specialized certifications may make clinical aromatherapy not available in certain areas. (2)'''

'''Health practitioners have used the SYMPTOM model (Mackereth and Maycock 2014) (3) to review aromatherapy in patient care. (3) S deals with the medical bases of symptoms. (3) Y deals with “Your patient’s experience” with a certain symptom. (3) M deals with “medical management” and how the patient has responded to medical interventions to deal with the symptoms. (3) P stands for the purpose of introducing aromatherapy into a patient’s treatment. (3) T stands for “technique/treatment delivery/route” for aromatherapy application methods. O stands for “options/advice” that inserts professional advice and protocols, such as prescriptions, into the proposed aromatherapy treatment. (3) M refers to “monitor/maintain symptom control” as a reporting mechanism of any side effects or overall outcomes of the aromatherapy treatment. (3)'''

Women's Health
'''In women’s health clinical aromatherapy, external evidence-based methods are inhalation, skin application, baths, and spritzers. (2) Skin applications with lotions or massages treat “any physical pain or discomfort.” (2) Body or foot baths are best for “insomnia, stress reduction and perineal healing,” but they should not be used during labor. (2) Spritzers are ideal for athletes or creating an immediate calming environment. (2) Clinical aromatherapy guidelines recommend specialized aromatherapy education, the use of concentrated but diluted essential oils, no ingestion of essential oils, and “only 1-2 drops per 5 ml carrier” for treatment. (2)'''

'''For obstetrics-gynecology practitioners, essential oil scents may appeal to women’s altered sense of smell during pregnancy. Based on studies with citrus or plant oils, low dilutions appear to be “effective, pleasant, and extremely safe” for pregnant women. Evidence-based essential oils include Bergamot (Citrus bergamia), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Lemon (Citrus limonum), Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara), and Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium). (2) Essential oils should not be used during the first trimester, with the exception of “lemon inhalation after 10 weeks” and room sprays “only with preterm labor.”  (2) Candidates for high-risk pregnancies or complications are not suited for clinical aromatherapy treatments. (2)'''

'''Surveys conducted from 2012-2014 reveal an average of 52% of pregnant women used complementary self-care therapies. (2) The study also found that pregnant women avoided informing health practitioners’ of their aromatherapy due to perceived judgment or lack of aromatherapy education from practitioners. (2) In a 2000 and 2007 study by Burns ''et. al.'' of twelve thousand women from the US, UK and Chile, over nine thousand women and children did not experience an aromatherapy issue or ailment after thirty years since pregnancy. (2) A 2000 to 2008 study of 8058 women in the UK found a “successful integration of complementary therapy for anxiety, pain, nausea and improved contractions,” the methods now in use in American and Chilean hospitals. (2)'''

'''For menstrual discomforts, essential oils use provides sedative and altered pain perception properties. (2 Marzouk et al 2013) In a 2016 survey of 18-44 aged US women, 67% used at least one alternative medicine with aromatherapy as the most popular. (2) For menopausal women, a 2014 survey of 10,000 women aged 59-64 indicated that 75% used alternative medicines after health practitioner consultations. (2) Aromatherapy in this study was used mostly for anxiety and hot flashes. (2)'''

Cancer Treatment
For cancer patients, aromatherapy tests showed mixed results in lowering anxiety and depression symptoms. In 2015, the Australian Government's Department of Health published the results of a review of alternative therapies that sought to determine if any were suitable for being covered by health insurance; aromatherapy was one of 17 therapies evaluated for which no clear evidence of effectiveness was found.

'''Some aromatherapy treatments for cancer patient care include aromasticks. Perforated aromasticks within a plastic tube allow the patient to inhale the aroma as a portable treatment. (3) These are most useful in “stressful procedures, such as scans, cannulation and radiotherapy.” (3) As a self-soothing technique, practitioners conduct sensory exercises with patients to “anchor an aromastick” to a pleasant experience in their life and create calm with each use. (3) These methods contribute to the HEARTS Process to evoke a relaxed state from a patient. (3) H is hands-on, E is empathy, A is aromas, R is relaxation, T is textures, and S is sound. (3) In combination or just with aromatherapy, the HEARTS Process promotes an interactive treatment as “a starting point for relaxation” with an aromatherapist’s holistic essential oil blend for the patient. (3)'''

Effectiveness
There is no good medical evidence that aromatherapy can prevent or cure any disease. '''Purported benefits of aromatherapy include psycho-emotional support by calming anxiety, relieving stress and promoting relaxation. (1) A humidifying diffuser can improve respiratory functions and have antiseptic uses. (1) Much of the mixed evidence has to do with sources’ differences in concentrations, equipment, delivery method, and frequency of use. (4)'''

'''In a 2019 study by the US Department of Veteran Affairs, it found pain in dysmenorrhea with a “preponderance of evidence suggesting benefit” with inhaled essential oils. (4) The study also found that inconsistent use of inhaled essential oils with promising benefits include “labor/childbirth, hypertension, hemodialysis, stress, perioperative care, and sleep quality.” (4) The study indicates little evidence of aromatherapy as ineffective for palliative care patients’ anxiety, due to insufficient information. Some literature have higher risks of bias due “quantitative measures, inadequate placebos, or because interventions were not well standardized.” (4)'''

Evidence for the efficacy of aromatherapy in treating medical conditions is poor, with a particular lack of studies employing rigorous methodology. A number of systematic reviews have studied the clinical effectiveness of aromatherapy in respect to pain management in labor, the treatment of post-operative nausea and vomiting, managing challenging behaviors in people who have dementia, and symptom relief in cancer. However, some studies have come to the conclusion that while it does improve the patient's mood, there is no conclusive evidence on how it works with pain management. Studies have been inconclusive because no straightforward evidence exists. All of these reviews report a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of aromatherapy.

'''A 2020 study of aromatherapy for dementia found no convincing evidence of aromatherapy’s benefit for dementia patients due to poor data quality and inconsistent reporting. (5)'''

Economic Market and Demand
'''A 2020 study of aromatherapy for dementia found no convincing evidence of aromatherapy’s benefit for dementia patients due to poor data quality and inconsistent reporting. (5)'''

Choice and Purchase
Aromatherapy products, and essential oils, in particular, may be regulated differently depending on their intended use. A product that is marketed with a therapeutic use is regulated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA); a product with a cosmetic use is not (unless information shows that "it is unsafe when consumers use it according to directions on the label, or in the customary or expected way, or if it is not labeled properly".) The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates any aromatherapy advertising claims.

There are no standards for determining the quality of essential oils in the United States; while the term "therapeutic grade" is in use, it does not have a regulatory meaning.

Analysis using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry has been used to identify bioactive compounds in essential oils. These techniques are able to measure the levels of components to a few parts per billion. This does not make it possible to determine whether each component is natural or whether a poor oil has been "improved" by the addition of synthetic aromachemicals, but the latter is often signaled by the minor impurities present. For example, linalool made in plants will be accompanied by a small amount of hydro-linalool, whilst synthetic linalool has traces of dihydro-linalool.

Safety Concerns
Aromatherapy carries a number of risks of adverse effects and with this in consideration, combined with the lack of evidence of its therapeutic benefit, makes the practice of questionable worth.

'''Aromatherapy poses some safety concerns depending on its application including adverse effects. (1)'''

'''Due to their potency, diluting essential oils are recommended. (1) A patch test with a diluted essential oil may indicate sensitivity or an adverse reaction. (1) Photosensitizing essential oils, such as citrus oils, cause sunburn to the skin if applied topically. (1) Some applications may cause adverse effects on children, pregnant people and the elderly. (1)'''

Many studies exploring the concerns that essential oils are highly concentrated and can irritate the skin when used in undiluted form often referred to as neat application. Therefore, they are normally diluted with a carrier oil for topical application, such as jojoba oil, olive oil, sweet almond oil or coconut oil. Phototoxic reactions may occur with many cold pressed citrus peel oils such as lemon or lime. Also, many essential oils have chemical components that are sensitisers (meaning that they will, after a number of uses, cause reactions on the skin, and more so in the rest of the body). Chemical composition of essential oils could be affected by herbicides if the original plants are cultivated versus wild-harvested. Some oils can be toxic to some domestic animals, with cats being particularly prone.

Most oils can be toxic to humans as well. A report of three cases documented gynecomastia in prepubertal boys who were exposed to topical lavender and tea tree oils. The Aromatherapy Trade Council of the UK issued a rebuttal. The Australian Tea Tree Association, a group that promotes the interests of Australian tea tree oil producers, exporters and manufacturers issued a letter that questioned the study and called on the New England Journal of Medicine for a retraction. Another article published by a different research group also documented three cases of gynecomastia in prepubertal boys who were exposed to topical lavender oil.

Essential oils can be extremely toxic when taken internally. Doses as low as 2 ml have been reported to cause clinically significant symptoms and severe poisoning can occur after ingestion of as little as 4 ml. A few reported cases of toxic reactions like liver damage and seizures have occurred after ingestion of sage, hyssop, thuja and cedar oils. Accidental ingestion may happen when oils are not kept out of reach of children. As with any bioactive substance, an essential oil that may be safe for the general public could still pose hazards for pregnant and lactating women.

Oils both ingested and applied to the skin can potentially have negative interactions with conventional medicine. For example, the topical use of methyl salicylate-heavy oils like wintergreen may cause bleeding in users taking the anticoagulant warfarin.

In late 2021 an aromatherapy spray was recalled after it was found to be contaminated with Burkholderia pseudomallei, the bacteria that causes melioidosis, which lead to four cases of the disease and two deaths.

'''Product sales training than clinical evidence-based aromatherapy education produces more incident reports from oversensitivity to respiratory ailments in infants. (2) Aromatherapy inhalation from patients with asthma or other respiratory concerns should occur with caution and should affect a present medication’s effectiveness. (3)(4)'''