Aromatherapy in a Palliative Care Environment
Using Essential Oils to Care for Caregivers and a Dying Loved One
Aug 5, 2009
Caring for a dying loved one at home or in a hospice facility is one of the most traumatic and stressful situations, particularly if the patient is your child, no matter what age. The care itself is physically demanding: lifting, turning, and running around all take their toll on the caregivers’ bodies. The emotional stress involved with caring for a dying loved one and working with a team of professionals and other caregivers is also exhausting and difficult.
Essential Oils Help Caregiver and Patient
The main goals in using essential oils in a palliative care setting are to reduce stress, increase physical contact and increase feelings of well being and quality of life. Both the caregiver and the patient can benefit from the stress-relieving benefits of lavender essential oil diffused in the patient’s room. A soothing aromatherapy hand or foot massage can relieve anxiety in a caring, gentle way and perhaps bring about deeper, more relaxed sleep.
Aromatherapy and Palliative Care Studies
Studies have been undertaken to ascertain the benefits of the use of essential oils in palliative care situations. One such study that looked at the benefits to cancer patients who received aromatherapy massage in a palliative care setting found that “there was a statistically significant reduction in anxiety after each massage and the patients who received aromatherapy massage also noted improvements in their disposition, physical comfort and their quality of life” (Palliat Med 1999 Sep;13(5):409-17. An evaluation of aromatherapy massage in palliative care. Wilkinson S, Aldridge J, Salmon I, Cain E, Wilson B). Another study “measured the responses of 17 cancer hospice patients to humidified essential lavender oil”. Positive changes in blood pressure and pulse, pain, anxiety, depression, and sense of well-being were noted. (Louis, Margaret and Kowalski, Susan D. 2002, American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Essential Oils in a Hospice Facility
If the patient is in a hospice facility the facility administrator may want to know whether a qualified Aromatherapist has been consulted, what quality essential oils are being used, which essential oils will be used, and he or she may need to know how the oils will be used – dispersion, massage or any other method.
Diffusing Essential Oils
One of the best ways to use essential oils is in a diffuser, preferably a cold air one, and one that operates relatively quietly. Everyone will enjoy the benefits – the patient, staff, support workers and visitors alike. Choose an essential oil or essential oil blend based on the patient’s needs and start with only one or two drops, adding more slowly to see how the strength affects the patient.
Palliative Care Aromatherapy Massage
If massage is being used it must be very gentle and one must always avoid areas around tumor sites. Some people do not want to be touched but may enjoy contact with a gentle hand massage, or possibly a foot massage. A pleasing aroma, the patient’s choice of music and family and friends close by can help to reduce fear and make the process of the final journey a little more acceptable to all.
Essential Oils You Should Not Use
The following list contains the essential oils that should not be used in a palliative care setting:
- Cancer:anise, basil, fennel and nutmeg.
- Estrogen-dependent cancers: anise (aniseed), fennel, lemongrass, Melissa, citronella, bergamot, and eucalyptus.
- Cardiac disease: peppermint.
- Hepatic disease:anise (aniseed), basil, bay, cinnamon and clove.
- Renal disease: bay, cinnamon and clove.
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