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History
What is it?
Scientific Eval
Dangers
References
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of Aromatherapy in the treatment of Pain
The analgesic effect of essential oils are
thought to be a result of several factors including
- A complex mixture of chemicals affecting
the memory and behavior site of the brain.
- Analgesic components of specific essential
oils that may effect dopamine, seratonin, and norepinephrine in the brain.
- Stimulation of endogenous opioid systems.
- Interaction of touch with sensory fibers in
the skin which may affect the transmission of referred pain.
Several studies have been done to
evaluate the effectiveness of using essential oils in the treatment of pain.
Although they are not absolutely conclusive, they do show a definitive benefit
as a complementary therapy in treating patients with pain. Citations for these
studies can be located in the references section of
this web site.
- LAVENDER AND THE TREATMENT
OF PAIN
Lavender and Pain in a
Critical Care Unit. A randomised study
by Woolfson and Hewitt published in Nursing Times looked at the effects of the
essential oil Lavender combined with massage on 100 patients in a critical
care unit. 30 patients were randomly to three groups. One group receive
massage plus lavender, one received massage alone and the third
"rested" without any massage or lavender. Data was obtained using
questionnaires to document pain and wakefulness and by measuring heart rate,
blood pressure, and respiratory rate. The results of this study showed a 50%
reduction in pain with lavender oil as well as a significant effect on heart
rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. This study provides no statistics
or analysis, however, the results were as follows.
|
Massage + oil |
Massage only |
Rest
only |
|
% decrease in heart
rate/ decrease in bpm |
91% / 11-15 |
58% / 6-10 |
41% / 0-5 |
|
% decrease in Blood
Pressure /decrease in mmHg |
50% / 11-15 |
41% / 0-5 |
16% / 6-10 |
|
decrease in Resp. rate
/decrease in breaths per minute |
75% / 6-10 |
41% / 0-5 |
16% / 0-5 |
|
% Wakefulness |
50% |
33% |
25% |
|
% decrease in Pain
levels |
50% |
41% |
16% |
Lavender and Arthritis .
Another study by Ann Brownfield, BSc, RGN studied the effects of aromatherapy
with massage on patients with rheumatoid arthritis using a randomized
controlled design. Patients received a 10 minute upper neck and shoulder
massage with or without lavender oil on two consecutive evenings. The results
of this study did not show any significant reduction in pain levels with
aromatherapy, however, those patients receiving massage with lavender oil did
have a reduction in their use of analgesic medications. Many patients also
reported that they slept better or were able to roll over in bed. This study
emphasizes the fact that the perception of pain by the patient plays an
important role in the pain and this perception can be affected by touch and
smell.
Lavender and the ability to cope
with critical care. A randomized
controlled study of 122 patients in a critical care unit by Dunn and colleagues
compared the anxiety levels in patients who received massage with lavender,
massage without lavender, or neither. Their results did not address treatment of
pain directly but did show that the aromatherapy group felt "less anxious
and more positive" demonstrating that the patient’s perception of their
ability to cope may have an effect on their perception of pain.
Chamomile and pain in cancer.
Chamomile is thought to have relaxing and analgesic effects. A randomized
study by Wilkinson looked at the effects of massage with or without chamomile
on 51 patients with cancer. The results of this study showed a reduction in
tension, anxiety, and pain that was statistically significant.
Marigold oil in the
treatment of hyprekeratotic Plantar Lesions. The
essential oil from African Marigold was tested in a double-blinded placebo
trial on the hyperketatotic plantar lesions of 30 patients. The placebo group
received tincture with no active ingredients, and the other two groups
received marigold paste with or without a protective pad. The results were
generated by a "pain diary" completed by each subject. The results
of this study showed that both of the treatment groups receiving active
marigold had reduced pain level and a shorter duration of pain.
- AROMATHERAPY AND
CHILDREN'S PAIN
Chamomile and lavender in
children's pain. A study of 20
hospitalized children with HIV looked at the effects of aromatherapy on
comfort and relief of phsyical pain. The essential oil used included those
recognized for their analgesic and nervine properties including chamomile and
lavender. The authors report that "All the children responded well to
these blends which helped to decrease the need for analgesic drugs from
acetaminophen to morphine. Some children said their pain had been relieved
completely". They found that the therapy eased discomfort from
intermittent muscle spasm, chronic chest pain unresponsive to regular
analgesia, and painful peripheral neuropathy. This study provided no formal
statistics or analysis.
Effects of peppermint
oil on headache. A randomized, double-blinded, crossover study
looked at the effects of peppermint on headache in humans. Pain was induced
using pressure, thermal stimuli, or ischemic stimuli and the intensity of
pain, neurophysiology, performance related activity, and mood states were
monitored. The results of this study revealed that peppermint, when applied
topically, produced a significant analgesic effect and long-lasting cooling
effect on the skin.
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