| Aromatherapy is both an art and a science, widely | | | | and obstetrics sector for a number of years, The |
| used by many, but never since the advent of | | | | John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford has operated an |
| modern medicines in the 20th century has it, or other | | | | aromatherapy service since 1990 and a survey of |
| holistic therapies, been accepted by many in the | | | | 8,000 patients over 8 years concluded that over |
| medical profession. The reason given being the lack | | | | 50% of women who used aromatherapy treatments |
| of proof that it works. The lack of funds available to | | | | during labor found it effective in the reduction of fear |
| carry out clinical trials on the scale required will of | | | | and anxiety. |
| course ensure proof will not be forthcoming. But | | | | Aromatherapy plays a role in many other |
| does such skepticism really matter? | | | | environments. Working with the deaf and deaf-blind; |
| More and more aromatherapists are qualifying each | | | | with autism; attention deficit hyperactive disorder; |
| year and they are treating a growing number of their | | | | and with addictions and allergies, and also with care |
| clients for ailments ranging from skin complaints such | | | | of the elderly and mental health sufferers. |
| as cellulite to eczema, sports injuries, stress etc etc. | | | | How long have we known about the powers of |
| There are a growing number of colleges offering | | | | Essential Oils? |
| aromatherapy courses and these range from an | | | | The evidence is all around us, aromatherapy is |
| introduction as part of a beauty course to a full 3 | | | | working and there are thousands of individual case |
| year degree covering detailed studies of 100 hundred | | | | studies to prove it, with thousands of years of |
| or so essential oils, their chemical and biological make | | | | history behind it. The ancient Egyptians were using |
| up and reactions with the human body. | | | | essential oils for both medicinal and cosmetic |
| A survey in The Times revealed that 75% of people | | | | purposes hundreds of years before the birth of |
| would like to see aromatherapy available on the NHS. | | | | Christ., The ancient Greeks were fond of aromatic |
| The big question for the policy makers is how to | | | | baths and they discovered the spiritual power of |
| integrate aromatherapy and conventional healthcare. | | | | flowers and their ability to help sleep, relax, refresh |
| However the growth is happening at grass roots | | | | and revitalize, The Romans and Chinese have used |
| level in some hospitals where more and more nurses | | | | plant extracts to treat all sorts of ailments. More |
| and midwives are becoming aromatherapists, using | | | | recently, in the 19th century, French soldiers injured in |
| their own initiative. Also, many hospitals and other | | | | battle, were treated in their hospitals with essential |
| areas of care are encouraging aromatherapy | | | | oils. It is also well documented that during the time of |
| treatments and a significant number are using | | | | diseases such as yellow fever the workers in the |
| essential oils in controlled research projects. | | | | perfume area of Grasse, in southern France who |
| Undoubtedly confidence is growing. | | | | harvested flowers such as Lavender remained |
| What examples are there of Aromatherapy in the | | | | immune to the diseases. |
| NHS? | | | | But it was not until the 1930"s that the term |
| For example, over 70% of cancer centres offer | | | | "Aromatherapy" was first used by the Frenchman |
| aromatherapy in palliative care for cancer patients | | | | Gattefosse. He accidentally discovered the healing |
| using appropriate massage techniques. Hammersmith, | | | | power of Lavender. Having burnt his hand he plunged |
| Royal Marsden and Charing Cross are amongst them. | | | | it into a nearby container, thinking it was water. It |
| The Neil Cliffe Cancer Centre has a comprehensive | | | | wasn't, it was Lavender and the burn healed quickly |
| aromatherapy support service in place using essential | | | | and without scarring. Since then many have |
| oils and offers aromatherapy education for home use | | | | promoted the use of Aromatherapy, but it is in the |
| to its patients. | | | | home, with use by trained therapists or anyone |
| The adult leukemia unit at the Christie Hoispital, | | | | learning more about the essential oils and trying to |
| Manchester has two aromatherapists offering | | | | experiment, that will see increased usage. |
| support to patients, predominantly to improve the | | | | Perhaps some of the proprietary supermarket brands |
| quality of life in a highly stressful environment. There | | | | have gone over the top and do not do justice to the |
| are increasing examples of an aromatherapist being | | | | term aromatherapy in naming the shampoos and |
| employed by hospice trusts. At Oakhaven Hospice in | | | | bubble baths as "aromatherapy" products, but there |
| Lymington, essential oils are used to promote | | | | is nothing in law to stop them. Furthermore, I am not |
| improved quality of life and to provide help with such | | | | a great advocate of pure essential oils being freely |
| conditions as nausea, anxiety, depression, aching and | | | | available to anyone in a supermarket as they are |
| stiff joints, as well as pain. | | | | potentially dangerous products if abused or even |
| For a number of years now aromatherapy massage | | | | used incorrectly. |
| has been a key treatment strategy at the Royal | | | | How can I find out more about aromatherapy? |
| Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, in areas such as the | | | | Lastly, for those of you wishing to learn more about |
| management of chronic pain in sufferers of multiple | | | | aromatherapy and perhaps even get a qualification at |
| sclerosis. Sufferers obtain symptomatic relief of pain | | | | varying levels there are colleges throughout the |
| and other benefits include improved sleep, relaxation, | | | | country running courses under the umbrella of bodies |
| improved joint mobility and a sense of wellbeing. | | | | such as ITEC, VTCT, NVQ, BTEC etc as well as a |
| Aromatherapy has been practiced in the midwifery | | | | number of correspondence courses. |