Exploring unusual essential oils Aromatherapy helps improve quality of life Good practice in ...

40 Pages·2015·16.52 MB·English

In Essence
Journal of the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists
Exploring unusual Good practice in
essential oils palliative care
Aromatherapy How aromatic
helps improve compounds work
quality of life on the body
Volume 14 Number 2 Autumn 2015
2211sstt AAnnnniivveerrssaarryy
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF
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2 In Essence Vol.1 4 No. 2 — Autumn 2015
Editor’s letter
Editor
Pat Herbert
Editorial Board Autumn 2015
Sue Charles, Sue Jenkins
Scientific Adviser
Bob Harris
I
n one of his sermons the Elizabethan poet and cleric John
Guidance for authors Donne commented that “in Heaven it is always autumn”
because God’s mercies are “ever in maturity”. So perhaps
In Essence welcomes editorial
we should look upon this sombre season not as one of
contributions which can be short items
(news, letters, reviews) of 100–300 sadness and endings but of ripeness and fruition. We hope
words or feature articles or case studies
you find much to enjoy in the mellow maturity of this au-
of 1000–3000 words.
tumn season and its vibrant colour and soft light.
Contributions can be sent by email to When In Essence changed to an online journal some two
the following address:
years ago we know that many of you, for a variety of reasons,
[email protected] or typed clearly
on A4 paper, double–spaced, and sent were not happy with the change. So we are delighted that the IFPA Council has
to the IFPA office (address below).
decided to return to a printed version and we hope you enjoy receiving your hard
copy journal once again.
Technical details
We open this edition with an article by Lora Cantele who helped set up a pilot
Advertisement artwork: Please ensure programme for children with life-limiting illnesses in a children’s home in Illinois,
that all display advertisement artwork
USA (page 9). She explains how she uses aromatherapy for the children’s physical,
is supplied as CMYK PDFs or JPEGS at
300dpi. If you are unable to supply mental, emotional and spiritual needs and to improve their quality of life.
artwork in these formats please note On page 17 Jacqueline Von Kaenel shares her experience of 12 years’ work-
that the IFPA offers a design and layout
service (fee payable) – please contact ing in palliative and end of life care and, for therapists new to this area of work,
the IFPA office for details. she highlights the major lessons she has learnt about working both with patients
and with their families.
Illustrations and Photographs: If
illustrations are to be used from Over our past two issues we have featured articles by Hannah Boot focusing
previously published material, the on whether aromatherapy can help people with rheumatoid arthritis. In the third
author must seek permission to
reproduce from the original publishers and concluding article she draws together what she learned from her research
and authors. Photographs to and highlights potential areas for future study.
accompany an article should be sent by
In your practice do you stick to a small selection of essential oils that you
email as a colour JPEG or TIFF file. If
scanning from an original image or know well? On page 20 Sue Jenkins challenges you to try some oils you may not
photograph, please use the following
have considered before and highlights their characteristics, properties, and uses.
settings: 300dpi, colour, 100% size.
On page 26 Ray Gransby, in his regular feature on legislation affecting
The contents of this journal are the aromatherapy, highlights a regulation that is often ignored by aromatherapists
copyright of the International
and explains why it is important. Ray’s articles in each edition since Winter 2013
Federation of Professional
Aromatherapists (IFPA) but do not are an excellent reference resource if you need to update yourself on regulations
necessarily represent its views.
affecting your practice.
The information provided by advertisers Also in this edition we have a report by Anita James on Robert Tisserand’s
or included in inserts in In Essence is the London seminar held earlier this year (page 24). The two-day event at the Univer-
sole responsibility of the advertisers
and, while accepted in good faith by sity of Westminster focused on essential oil chemistry and pharmacology, high-
IFPA and the Editorial Board, is not lighting the actions of aromatic compounds in the body.
endorsed by, and does not necessarily
represent, IFPA opinion.
Contacts
Editorial
Pat Herbert Editor
Tel: [phone]
[email protected]
Advertising
Tel: [phone] Jacqueline Von Lora Cantele, a Anita James is an
[email protected] Kaenel, formerly registered aromatherapist
a nurse, has been aromatherapist and holistic
Design and online edition an aromatherapy in the United practitioner who
Riverhead Publishing practitioner for States, works in runs an
[email protected] 12 years, both private established
www.riverhead.co.uk working extensively in practice and in paediatric practice and an IFPA-
palliative and end-of-life hospice and palliative care. accredited school in
In Essence is published by the care. In her article she shares In this issue she gives a Derbyshire. She has served
International Federation of Professional
her experience of working fascinating account of how several terms of office on the
Aromatherapists (IFPA), IFPA House,
with patients and their aromatherapy is helping to IFPA Council. In this edition
82 Ashby Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire
families in a palliative care improve the quality of life of she reports on what she
LE10 1SN, United Kingdom.
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] unit, highlighting seven children with life-limiting learned at Robert Tisserand’s
[email protected] points for effective practice illnesses in an Illinois stimulating seminar held in
www.ifparoma.org in this area of work. Children’s Home. London this summer.
In Essence Vol.1 4 No. 2 — Autumn 2015 3
3 Editor’s letter
s
Welcome to our Autumn issue
In Essence
t
Journal of the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists 5 News
n
Including message from IFPA Council Chair
e 8 Meeting members
Exploring unusual Good practice in Welcome to a new group established in the Isle of Man
essential oils palliative care
t
Aromatherapy How aromatic
helps improve compounds
quality of life work on the body n 9 Improving quality of life for children with life-
Volume 14 Number 2 Autumn 2015
Cover photograph: Helianthus annuus limiting illnesses
C. Deprez-Price - www.riverhead.co.uk
o
How Lora Cantele uses aromatherapy for a range of physical and psychological needs
13 Rheumatoid arthritis: Can aromatherapy help?
C
Hannah Boot analyses her case study results, highlighting areas for future research
16 Research notes
17 Lessons learned in palliative care
Jacqueline Von Kaenel shares her experience of working with aromatherapy in
palliative and end of life care
20 Extending your essential oil repertoire
Sue Jenkins challenges you to explore some more unusual oils
24 The therapeutic foundations of essential oils
Anita James reports on an inspiring and motivating seminar
Passion flower essential oil helps
children in extreme stress – see page 9 26 Getting to grips with regulations
Stay up to date with the rules, advises Ray Gransby
27 Information sources online
28 Memories of Veronica Sibley
Remembering a much-loved aromatherapist, teacher and friend
30 News in brief
30 News from the CNHC
Topical issues from the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council
31 Bookshelf
Anita James is inspired by a beautiful new book on hydrolats
32 List of IFPA–accredited schools
34 Continuing Professional Development
Robert Tisserand makes a welcome
37 Events
return to London – see page 24

4 In Essence Vol.1 4 No. 2 — Autumn 2015
NEWS
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR IFPA Council
Chair: Florance Notarius
A
warm five years, look at it with suspicion.
welcome And after ten years, throw it away and Secretary: Jane Rothery
to this start all over.”
Autumn On Council we certainly do not Treasurer: Sarah Beart
edition of In Es- plan to ‘throw it away’ and ‘start over’
sence which, by but it has been recognised for some Liz Bailey
popular request, time that some aspects of the IFPA’s or-
you are reading in ganisation and management need to Jeni Broughton
hard copy. Many members have con- be updated and made more effective.
tacted the IFPA Council over the past I would like to thank you for your Louise Carta
two years requesting the return of a support since I took over as Acting
printed edition and we are delighted Chair in September, and for your Dave Jackson
that we have finally been able to confidence in confirming me in the
make it happen. post at the 2015 AGM. It has been a Emily Song
I hope this summer has been a privilege to serve as Chair during this
good one for you all and that you time of transition. However, as I know Advisor to the Council: Sue Charles
found time to relax and enjoy some you appreciate, the role of Chair is a
sunny days. For all of us on Council demanding one and I regret that, for
the summer has been a busy time as personal and business reasons, I am New directions
we have been working hard on the unable at present to continue in this
reorganisation of our Federation. We role and to give it the commitment it As Sue Charles explains in her letter
have made some progress, such as requires. I am therefore handing over (opposite) she is currently unable to
re-introducing a printed In Essence, to our Vice Chair Florance Notarius continue in the demanding role of
and we will shortly be launching the who I know will continue the good IFPA Council Chair due to personal
new website. We are also currently work we have begun. and business commitments. Florance
working with, and learning from, a You will be receiving news of Notarius, previously Vice Chair, has
consultant with experience of working Federation developments, both in the taken on the role.
with charities on reorganisation and e-newsletter and in this journal, as Florance said: “On behalf of the
governance. they unfold over the coming months. IFPA Council, I would like to thank
We know there is considerable Rest assured that all Council’s decisions Sue for her tremendous contribution,
work ahead to fulfil the promises we will be made in the best interests of both to the Federation and to the
made at the Annual General Meeting the IFPA and its members and with Council, over many years. Her loyalty
(AGM) but all Council members feel the aim of consolidating the Federa- and commitment have been exem-
very positive and upbeat about the tion’s reputation and role in the world plary, especially her dedication to the
encouraging start we have made. In of aromatherapy, both at home and role of Conference Chair, and latterly,
an article in The New York Times in abroad. So do watch this space! to the role of Chair.
1958 Alfred W Perlman wrote: “After “We are pleased to report that
you've done a thing the same way for Sue Charles Sue will continue to be involved with
two years, look it over carefully. After Chair, IFPA Council the IFPA, serving as an Advisor to the
IFPA Council, and we plan to mark her
outstanding service to the Federation
with a Fellowship award at an IFPA
Lavender essential oil helps relieve
event in the near future.
“Since the 2015 Annual General
intensity of post-operative pain
Meeting in May, the Council has been
considering how best to protect the
A recent clinical trial aimed to evalu- every 15 minutes with supplemental IFPA’s role, and its representation in the
ate whether lavender aromatherapy oxygen; the control group received world of professional aromatherapy
could relieve sternotomy pain after only supplemental oxygen. The and complementary healthcare, in the
coronary artery bypass graft surgery. results indicated that aromatherapy years ahead. This will inevitably mean
Fifty patients who had undergone can be effective in postoperative pain changes to the IFPA’s structure and
surgery were randomly divided into reduction and is less expensive than management. I hope you will support
two equal groups. sedative drugs. Free access to the us as we work to bring the Federation
The case group received two full article at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ of the future to fruition, both nation-
drops of two per cent lavender oil pubmed/26261829 ally and internationally.”
In Essence Vol.1 4 No. 2 — Autumn 2015 5
NEWS
Call for practitioner case studies Farewell and
thank you
The Complementary & Natural treatments with clients that you
Healthcare Council (CNHC) is work- think could be of relevance to com-
ing with the Professional Standards missioners and employers. These The IFPA Council and many members
Authority to create an online hub might be treatments provided to who knew her were greatly saddened
of information for commissioners, clients with long-term conditions to hear of the recent death of Teddy
employers and referrers of services. where you are working alongside Fearnhamm after a long illness. Sue
It will showcase practitioners on ac- their existing treatment plan, Charles, a close friend, remembers:
credited registers who deliver health or where your work has had an “Teddy trained with Pierre Fran-
and care services. impact on people with conditions chomme and, for many years, ran
The CNHC is looking for exam- such as obesity, depression and the English Société l'Institut Pierre
ples from CNHC registrants that can anxiety, dementia or pain. Franchomme.
be presented as case studies in the The case study must demonstrate “She was a well-known and
following areas: outcomes measured through evalua- much valued and respected figure in
• You deliver your CNHC-registered tion, for example by use of Measure the aromatherapy world. Teddy was
therapy/discipline within NHS or Yourself Medical Outcome Profile also highly influential in the develop-
care services, GP practices, in edu- (MYMOP), Patient Reported Out- ment of the aromatherapy profes-
cational or social service settings, come Measures (PROMs) or similar. sion in the UK. A very lovely, polite
or receive referrals in these areas If you think your work might be and gracious lady, she always had a
• You work with clients in the con- suitable to be presented as a case radiant smile on her face, no matter
text of a voluntary or community study please email [email protected]. what was going on in her life.
service. For example, if you work or uk with the subject line ‘CNHC Case “Teddy will be sadly missed by
volunteer at a local hospice, mental Studies’, providing a brief overview her many friends and colleagues
health service (eg Mind), dementia of your service or individual case throughout the wider world of
or other local community service. study (removing any client names) aromatherapy. She will be especially
• You have case studies of individual and why you think it is relevant. missed by me because she was such
a good friend. Our thoughts and
hearts go out to her family at this
very sad and difficult time.”
Aromatherapy in cancer care
A summary of information for health US National Cancer Institute’s compre-
New MSc in Advanced
professionals about the use of aromath- hensive source of cancer information.
erapy and essential oils in the treat- The summary, which is regu- Complementary
ment of people with cancer is avail- larly reviewed and updated, does not
able online. It is published by the PDQ provide formal guidelines or recom- Medicine
Cancer Complementary and Alternative mendations for making health care
Medicine Editorial Board, USA. decisions. It reflects an independent The Complementary & Natural Health-
The PDQ Cancer Information Sum- review of the literature and does not care Council advise that practitioners
mary, which is intended as a resource represent a policy statement of the wishing to develop or enhance their re-
to inform and assist clinicians caring for US National Cancer Institute or the search skills may be interested in a new
cancer patients, provides comprehensive, National Institutes of Health. You can online Masters degree in Advanced
peer-reviewed, evidence-based informa- access the full text free at www.ncbi. Complementary Medicine (research
tion. PDQ (Physician Data Query) is the nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26389313 and practice) developed by the North-
ern College of Acupuncture, York.
The part-time programme, which
Essential oils for menopause is quality-assured by Middlesex
University, is open to complemen-
A recent study looked at the use aromatherapy oils, and Chinese tary therapists with a first degree or
of self-prescribed complementary medicines. equivalent (support will be given to
and alternative medicine (CAM) The results showed that aroma- practitioners without a first degree to
for menopause-related symptoms. therapy oils were more likely to be assess equivalence).
The study, carried out at the Fac- used by menopausal women experi- The next programme for this new
ulty of Health, University of Tech- encing night sweats and by women MSc starts in September 2015. To find
nology Sydney, Australia, looked with hysterectomy experiencing out more visit www.chinese-medicine.
at use of vitamins/minerals, yoga/ anxiety. See www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ co.uk and search on ‘Practitioner
meditation, herbal medicines, pubmed/26365446 courses’.
6 In Essence Vol.1 4 No. 2 — Autumn 2015
NEWS
Potential of essential Essential oil courses at
oils as therapeutic The Royal Marsden Hospital
agents
The Royal The day is divided into two
Marsden sessions, the first focusing on ad-
Many studies have shown that es- Hospital has vanced blending theory, illustrated
sential oils exhibit a large spectrum of recently an- with case examples, the second on
biological activities in vitro and they nounced its practical formulation development.
could have potential for alternative 2016 pro- Different blending and treatment
treatments, say researchers at the Uni- gramme of strategies, along with formulation
versità degli Studi di Sassari in Italy. courses on concepts, will be used to maximise
They recently studied the chemi- essential oils therapeutic effectiveness. Although
cal composition, cytotoxicity, anti- for com- the course focuses particularly on
microbial and antifungal activity of plementary challenges encountered in cancer
36 essential oils, first analysing their therapists. It will be led by Rhian- and palliative care, the key con-
phytochemical and cytotoxic charac- non Lewis of Essential Oil Resource cepts can be extended to aroma-
teristics, then evaluating the antimi- Consultants, well known for their therapists working in all clinical
crobial activity of the less-toxic oils Advanced Clinical Aromatherapy environments.
on Gram-positive, Gram-negative teaching programme. A comprehen- Due to the programme’s in-
and fungi strains. sive booklet outlining all the course tensity and structure this event is
The results showed low cytotox- content is included and certificates of strictly limited to 20 delegates Cost:
icity in seven essential oils and good attendance will be issued. £160 per delegate. Details at: www.
activity against Gram-negative and • 25 January Essential Oils Update royalmarsden.nhs.uk/essmasterclass
Candida spp. strains. day: For aromatherapists who have 27-28 January Essential Oils Two-
The researchers say that, based on previously attended the two-day Day Introductory Course: This
their results, essential oils could be pro- Introductory Course in Essential course, which aims to improve
posed as a novel group of therapeutic Oils. (You are not eligible to at- aromatic interventions for people
agents. They conclude that further tend this event unless you have with cancer, is for aromatherapists
experiments are necessary to confirm completed the two-day course in a already working with essential oils
their pharmacological effectiveness, previous year.) The day will focus in a cancer care environment. Due
and to determine potential toxic ef- on changes therapists have imple- to the course structure, it is not
fects and the mechanism of their activ- mented in their practice as a result possible to book a single day. Cost:
ity in in vivo models. See www.ncbi. of attending the two-day course. £230 per delegate (£200 early bird
nlm. nih.gov/pubmed/26214364 There will also be opportunities rate if booked by 30 September
to network and share knowledge 2015). Details at: www.royal-
and to learn about new develop- marsden.nhs.uk/essintro
ments in this field of treatment. • 29 January Essential Oils for Rest,
Mentoring and Cost: £125 per delegate (£100 early Recovery and Repair in Cancer and
bird rate if you book before 30 Palliative Care: This class is de-
clinical supervision
September 2015). Details at: www. signed for aromatherapists work-
royalmarsden.nhs.uk/essupdate ing in cancer care, palliative care
At the IFPA 2015 Annual General • 26 January Essential Oils Mas- and other clinical settings who are
Meeting in May several members ter Class - Advanced formulation looking to improve efficiency when
expressed their willingness to offer skills for cancer care: maximising working with patients who have
mentoring and clinical supervision to therapeutic effectiveness in clinical sleep disturbance and/or fatigue
aromatherapy students and newly aromatherapy. This masterclass will related to their personal journey
qualified therapists. Following on take a practical, problem-solving with a potentially life-limiting dis-
from this the IFPA Council would like approach to using clinical aromath- ease, its treatment and its impact
to compile a register of experienced erapy interventions for key chal- on the body and mind. Cost: £125
therapists, to appear on the website, lenges faced by cancer patients. It per delegate (£100 early bird rate
in the newsletter and in In Essence. aims to extend therapists’ existing if booked by 30 September 2015).
If you are able to offer your time experience, knowledge and skills so Details at: www.royalmarsden.nhs.
to help provide this service (support that they can confidently combine uk/essrest
can be given by email, telephone or research findings and essential oil To book any of the courses listed
face-to-face) and would like to be chemistry with a holistic approach above go to www.royalmarsden.nhs.
included in the register, please email in order to formulate safe, person- uk/studydays, phone [phone] or
[email protected] alised and effective remedies. email [email protected].
In Essence Vol.1 4 No. 2 — Autumn 2015 7
MEETING MEMBERS
Around the regions
A new IFPA group in the Isle of Man has made a
very successful and positive start
T
he IFPA Council is always “Most importantly, we expressed
delighted to hear about new a desire to have fun together in a
regional groups starting up so learning capacity, to counterbalance
we are very pleased to be able the serious work we end up being
to bring you news of a group recently involved with on occasions.
established in the Isle of Man. Group “The outcome of our formation
co-ordinator Liz Bailey takes up the is that our guest asked to join with
story and explains the impetus for the us for all future meetings as she too
new group (pictured): was looking for therapist support,
“We are fortunate to have four requirements and allowed regional CPD and a sense of breaking profes-
registered IFPA aromatherapists on this meetings to qualify for two CPD points sional isolation. Other therapists have
small island. The Isle of Man has a land- per gathering, it prompted us to step now heard of us and have joined in
mass measuring only 33 by 15 miles. forward and register the group. on our subsequent meeting in July,
“However, its position in the mid- “And what a positive experience and a presentation in August on the
dle of the Irish Sea can be challenging it has been! We had our first regional Bach Flower remedies. We seem to
for those of us who are in need of group meeting on 24 May this year have struck a chord with this island’s
Continuing Professional Development and we invited a guest speaker. Our therapist community!
(CPD) and further training. A combi- speaker was a registered five element “I have no doubt that Regional
nation of bad weather, which can limit acupuncturist who spoke about her Groups are a tremendous way for the
travel, and the cost of getting on and work and approach to treatment. IFPA to become more integrated with
off the island has made accumulating its membership and to give a vibrancy
CPD points stressful. Wealth of experience to its existence. It has enabled us here
“So, over the last year we have “We shared experiences and gained on the Isle of Man to feel more in
been meeting on a regular basis as insight regarding a holistic approach contact with ongoing learning and
a source of therapist support and to to the client, on an emotional, physi- a part of something bigger than just
meet the need to counter the sense of cal and energetic level. We identified ourselves.”
isolation which can happen to any of the volume of knowledge that we If you would like to know more
us when we are working alone. When have within the group and the possi- about the new Isle of Man group con-
the IFPA took another look at its CPD bilities for CPD as a result of sharing it. tact Liz Bailey via [email protected].
GROUP NAME / LOCATION ORGANISER TELEPHONE EMAIL ADDRESS
Aberdeen Group Beverley Skinner 01779 821051/07726 531498 [email protected]
AromaForum, Stockport, Cheshire Justine Jackson 0161 439 7453/07974 207033 [email protected]
Aroma Network, Watford, Herts Jayashree Kothari - [email protected]
Bucks, Beds & Northants Regional Group Helen Nagle-Smith 01908 312221/07966 248859 [email protected]
Complementary Therapies Network, Northern Ireland Helen McIntyre 02838 38310065 [email protected]
Central Regional IFPA Group, Midlands Cheryl Smith 0121 378 4487 [email protected]
Chinese Aromatherapists in UK X Song 07738 704701 [email protected]
Fragrant Grapevine, Edinburgh Carolyn Hood 0131 447 4862 [email protected]
Hebden Bridge/Calderdale Group, West Yorkshire Clare Whitworth 07790 761702 [email protected]
Hong Kong Regional Group, Hong Kong Annie Lee [phone] [email protected]
Isle of Man, Regional Group Elizabeth Bailey 07624 380380 [email protected]
Japan Group, Japan Miki Hayashi - [email protected]
One Tree, Buckinghamshire Liz O'Neill 07946 638151 [email protected]
Sakura Kai, Tokyo Miki Hayashi [phone] 5128 [email protected]
Saturday Aromatherapy Club, Hinckley, Leicestershire Penny Price 01455 251020 [email protected]
Shanghai Group, Shanghai Jia Lui 86189 3008 9105 [email protected]
South London Aromatherapy Network Louise Abbott-Little 07957 192265 [email protected]
Sussex Regional Group, Burgess Hill Wendy McCallum 01444 443876 [email protected]
West London Aromatherapy Network, Twickenham Yvonne Humphries 07719 096314 [email protected]
West Yorkshire Aromatherapy Group, Bradford Liane Sara-Gray 07766 655279 [email protected]
TBA, Ballyhearne, Eire Noelene Cashin Cafolla [phone] 0950
8 In Essence Vol.1 4 No. 2 — Autumn 2015
Improving quality of
life for children with
life-limiting illnesses
Five years ago Lora Cantele helped set up a programme
providing complementary therapies to children with life-
limiting illnesses. She explains how she uses aromatherapy
for a range of physical and psychological needs
H
ospice care in the United • Marklund Children's Home had the family/state approval
States has expanded over the for pilot study admission
years to include the use of
massage, pet therapy, Reiki, Diagnosis
and music therapy. Aromatherapy is The diagnosis of each child varied. Severe Hypoxic Ischemic
used more widely in hospices in the UK Encephalopathy (HIE) was common to most of the children
than in the USA. in the programme. Other diagnosed conditions included:
The focus of aromatherapy in hos- birth trauma/anoxia, brain malformations, chronic airway
pice care is to provide pain management obstruction with co-morbidities, congenital hydrocephalus,
and comfort for those with terminal illnesses. It is not used lumbar spina bifida, sub-acute sclerosing panencephalitis,
so often for those who are dealing with life-limiting ill- lethal chromosomal abnormalities, and Cerebro-Oculo-
nesses in palliative care. Facio-Skeletal Syndrome (COFS).
Aromatherapy plays an important role in helping
relaxation, alleviating stress and anxiety, and giving Aims of the programme
emotional support. Used in a palliative setting, it provides The main goal of the programme was to increase the qual-
relaxation and comfort and improves quality of life. ity of life for the children in the study by using new and
Hope's Circle of Friends has developed a pilot pro- existing tools to document measurable outcomes. Other
gramme to provide complementary therapies to children aims were to:
with life-limiting illnesses at the Marklund Children's • provide an increase in staff education and satisfaction
Home, in Bloomingdale, Illinois. and to enhance retention of employees
In 2010, Hope's Circle of Friends contacted me to • show the cost-effectiveness of palliative care and sus-
enhance their existing programme at the Marklund Chil- tainability of the programme
dren’s Home with the use of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy • decrease the use of medication
is used in a holistic manner to provide comfort and relief • make the programme replicable in other settings
for a variety of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual • stimulate parent involvement and support
needs of the children and to improve quality of life. • provide a research report/articles to be published on
pertinent study aspects
Qualification criteria The aromatherapy goals were to reduce agitation
In order to qualify for the study, the participants in the and pain, improve physical issues where possible, and to
programme had to meet the following criteria: improve the emotional state of the children.
• The child had to be significantly medically-fragile
• Aged between three and 15 years Determining when to use aromatherapy
• Possess at least two significant symptoms that cause Each child's case was reviewed and assessed individually.
‘distress’ (ie pain, seizures, contractures, gastrointestinal Considerations included: medication changes, doctor visits,
maladies, chronic/acute wound care needs, respiratory hospital stays, changes in physical therapy, child's emo-
distress/frequent infections) tional state, current challenges, current successes, medical
In Essence Vol.1 4 No. 2 — Autumn 2015 9
Photograph: E.nielsen - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Passiflora_incarnata_flower_and_bud.jpg
Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) essential oil was used primarily for children exhibiting extreme stress
interventions, Complementary and Alternative Medicine tional state, sleep patterns, challenges and successes were
(CAM) interventions, the child's ability to meet individual- also discussed.
ised goals in Physical Therapy (PT), and motor skills.
Aromatherapy was used to ease issues where it was Introducing aromatherapy
reported to have been successful in previous studies ie The existing programme included a weekly massage, using
relieving stress, physical issues and wound care. It was also an unscented massage lotion. Some children received a
considered when the staff was at a loss and willing to try back massage, while for others it was their hands and arms,
anything that had the potential to help. depending on the child and his/her condition. Aromath-
erapy was initially introduced through massage.
Interdisciplinary team Each child had a blend created specifically for their
The Interdisciplinary Team comprised Marklund staff needs. Eight drops of the blend were used in 50ml un-
nurses, physical therapist, paediatric neurologist, massage scented massage lotion. The massage therapist reported
therapist, facility administrator, specialists (as necessary), that the massages were 50 per cent more effective when
and professionals from Hope’s Friends including pro- essential oils were added to the unscented massage lotion.
gramme principal, hospice and palliative care nurses, medi- Due to the increased effectiveness of the addition of the
cal advisor, social worker, aromatherapist and chaplain. essential oils, the children received daily aromatherapy
The Interdisciplinary Team would meet two to three hand massages at school and aromatherapy lotion was ap-
times monthly to discuss each child’s case and progress. The plied again after bath.
paediatric Neurologist came in every two to three months
to do a spasticity test on the children and the DisDAT (Dis- The children
ability Distress Assessment) tool was used to assess distress. Each child had his/her own essential oil blend or synergy,
Through caregiver descriptions, a unique communica- to be used in different preparations as appropriate.
tion level could be assessed, further defining ‘distress’ or Each had a massage lotion for their weekly massage, a
‘contentment’. The DisDAT tool (www.disdat.co.uk) was lotion at school for hand massages, a lotion for after-bath
particularly successful because it was designed primarily use, and an inhaler (kept in a pouch on the back of their
for those who are nonverbal and cognitively impaired. wheelchair) for easy access to be used when needed.
While it is not a scoring tool, it assisted the team in noting Many of the children had a guarded posture due to
the instinctive assessments of those who know the chil- their condition. Muscle contractures were common among
dren best. Once distress was identified, the team could the children as they would hold their arms tight to their
intervene with clinical decisions (medication, massage or chests with fists tucked under their chins and their heads
aromatherapy) to improve the child’s condition. down. Essential oils were blended and diluted in lotion
Additional information regarding the child’s emo- and massaged onto the arms and hands of the children
10 In Essence Vol.1 4 No. 2 — Autumn 2015