Essential Oils for the Holistic Provider Becky Wolff, RN, MSN, MA Certified Clinical Aromatherapy Practitioner/Instructor Robin Arends, DNP, CNP, FNP-BC Certified Clinical Aromatherapy Practitioner
Objectives Discuss difference between commercial and therapeutic grade essential oils Discuss the therapeutic uses of common essential oils. Discuss precautions of common essential oils
HISTORY OF AROMATHERAPY Earliest use Neanderthal skeleton dating back 60,000 years found with 8 species of herbs Dr. Gattefosse first used the word aromatherapy Earliest records date back to paintings in caves in France around 18,000 BC. Florence Nightingale used lavender oil on foreheads of injured soldiers to help them relax. At the end of the Crimean War used tincture of myrrh possibly for a carminative
ESSENTIAL OILS An oil obtained from aromatic plants by steam distillation or cold expression Contains the true essence of the plant Highly volatile Highly concentrated 100 times more potent that the plant Anti-septic; some are anti-bacterial and antiviral Highly complex substances-chemo types
Essential oils affect the body, mind, and spirit Chemical properties of the oil Limbic system PNI (psychoneuroimmunology)
Commercial and Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils Not pure if use words like fragrance oil, nature identical oil, perfume oil Know how the oil was extracted, steam, coldexpressed, solvent Oils need to be in dark colored glass Orifice reducer not rubber stopper Prices are not equal neroli, jasmine and rose oil are very expensive The botanical name should be on the label (French) Country of origin should be on the label Watch out for retail suppliers vs. oil supplliers
GAS CHROMATOGRAPH
National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) An educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing public awareness of the benefits of true aromatherapy Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
Clinical Aromatherapy Definition: the use of essential oils for specific outcomes which are measurable
IT IS THE CHEMISTRY OF AN ESSENTIAL OIL THAT DETERMINES ITS THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES
CHEMICALS IN EO S ALCOHOLS: antibiotic, tonic, diuretic, antiviral ALDEHYDES: anti-inflammatory, sedative, antiviral, skin irritant ESTERS: sedative, antispasmodic, some antifungal KETONES: good for skin and tissue, mucolytic, potentially neurotoxic PHENOLS: antibacterial, stimulant, immunostimulant, skin irritant
DILUTION AND DOSAGES Essential oils must be diluted with a carrier oil which also has therapeutic properties. As a general rule do not exceed a dose of greater than 4 % and/or combine more than 4 oils in one mixture. 1 drop of EO in 5 mls of carrier oil 1% 2 drops 2% 4 drops 4%
ADMINISTERING ESSENTIAL OILS Inhalation: diffusers, vaporizers, Q-tip, tissue, bath Topical: compress, massage, gargle *Inhalation is the quickest way to administer an essential oil
Essential Oils
LAVENDER Lavandula angustifolia Chemistry: Clinical Applications: up to 50% esters up to 45% alcohols 1. Enhances sense of well-being 2. Sedative/calming action 3. All skin problems 4. Analgesic 5. Antispasmodic: respiratory and GI 6. Antiseptic, anti-viral, antibiotic (effective against MRSA) 7. Effective against mites *Safe to use with children
LAVENDAR SPIKE Lavandula latifolia Chemistry: Clinical Applications: up to 30% oxide up to 15% ketone up to 30% alcohol approx. 2% esters 1. Stimulant (anti-depressant) 2. Powerful mucolytic 3. Post-stroke paralysis and muscle spasticity 4. Analgesic for sprains, stiff joints and muscular pains 5. Antispasmodic 6. Insect repellent 7. Antiviral
LAVANDIN Lavandula x Intermedia Chemistry: There are 4 chemotypes: Super, Grosso, Reydovan, and Abrialis Super is higher in esters. Grosso is higher in alcohols. Reydovan is higher in camphor. Abrialis has a good mixture of everything. Clinical Applications: Super: relaxant, antispasmodic, relaxant Grosso: useful for infections Reydovan: mucolytic, expectorant Abrialis: infections, antispasmodic and relaxant
MANDARIN Citrus Reticulata Chemistry: up to 90% terpenes up to 6% alcohol up to 1% aldehydes up to 1% ester Clinical Applications: 1. Insomnia, nervous tension, restlessness 2. Digestive problems, dyspepsia 3. Acne, stretch marks 4. Fluid retention, obesity 5. Antiemetic *Safe to use with children
TEA TREE Melaleuca alternifolia Chemistry: Three different chemotypes. Chemotype Terpineol up to 15% oxide up to 50% alcohol up to 5% sesquiterpenols up to 40% terpenes Clinical Applications: 1. Bacterial infections including abscesses, acne 2. Fungal infection 3. Most skin infections 4. Vaginal infections 5. Insect bites, poison ivy 6. Effective against MRSA 7. Respiratory infections, mouth infections
FRANKINCENSE Boswellia cateri Chemistry: terpenes 43% alcohols 10% esters up to 61% Clinical applications: 1. Meditation, introspection and prayer 2. Coughs, asthma 3. Analgesic myrcene 4. Healing of scars, ulcers, wounds 5. Immunostimulant 6. Mild emmenogogue 7. Effective against s. aureus, e.coli 8. Bereavement 9. Anti-inflammatory
SWEET MARJORAM Origanum majorana Chemistry: up to 40% terpenes up to 50% alcohols up to 12 % esters Clinical Applications: 1. Tranquilizing action, good for insomnia 2. Excellent for muscle pain, neuralgia, rheumatism, arthritis 3. Antibacterial 4. Antifungal 5. Emmenagogue 6. Strengthens peristalsis, eases cramps 7. Male anaphrodisiac for inappropriate sexual response
GERANIUM Pelargonium graveolens Chemistry: up to 70% alcohols up to 8% ketones up to 15% esters Clinical Applications: 1. Important female hormonal regulator PMS, menopause, any menstrual problems 2. Nervous tension, stress related conditions, depression 3. Moderately antibacterial 4. Good for skin, bruises, cuts, ulcers, broken capillaries 5. Moderately antifungal 6. Astringent 7. Antispasmodic
MYRRH Commiphora myrrha Chemistry: Furanoeudesa up to 34% Furanodiene up to 19.7% Lindestrene up to 12% Clinical Applications: 1. Healthy skin 2. Antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti- parasitic 3. Expectorant 4. Antispasmodic properties 5. Immune stimulant 6. Digestive aid
Precautions/Safe use of Essential Oils Keep all essential oils out of reach of children and pets. Avoid the use of essential oils you know nothing about on your clients. Know the safety data on each essential oil. Use caution when treating a female client who suspects she is pregnant or has been trying to become pregnant. Keep essential oils away from the eyes. Rinse with carrier oil or milk. Essential oils are highly flammable substances. Store in cool place. Make sure your treatment room has good ventilation. Do not use essential oils internally. Store in colored glass not plastic bottles. Do not mix up carrier oil and EO s in advance (rancidity) Ensure bottles are labeled with botanical name, amt. of oil, concentration, chemotype, name of supplier.
Dilution of Essential Oils Essential oils must be diluted with a carrier oil which also has therapeutic properties. Four oils that can be used undiluted: Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Tea Tree (Melaleucca alternifolia) Pettigrain (Citrus aurantium var. amarafol) German chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Possible Adverse Effects Contact dermatitis Skin patch test Phototoxicity Furonocoumarin free Psychological associations with odors Limbic system
400 comprehensive essential oil profiles and almost 4000 references.
ESSENTIAL OILS TO BE AVOIDED WITH ESTROGEN BASED CANCERS Clary Sage (Salvia sclaria) Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) Aniseed (Pipernella anisum) Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Matter is most spiritual in the perfume of the plant. When the spirit most closely approaches the physical earth, then we have the perception of fragrance. -Rudolf Steiner
Contact Information Becky Wolff Becky.Wolff@usd.edu Robin Arends rfarends@hotmail.com