Rheumatoid arthritis: can aromatherapy help?

40 Pages·2015·21.62 MB·English

In Essence
Journal of the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists
Rheumatoid arthritis:
can aromatherapy help?

Tackling malodours
with essential oils

Stepping out with
aromatic support

Making your own
products: getting it right
Volume 13 Number 4 Spring 2015
International Journal of
Clinical Aromatherapy
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2 In Essence Vol.1 3 No. 4 — Spring 2015
Editor’s letter
Editor
Pat Herbert
Editorial Board Spring 2015
Christine Stacey, Sue Jenkins
Scientific Adviser
Bob Harris
D
rawing out of winter into spring always comes as a
Guidance for authors delightful surprise or, as the author Ellis Peters put
it, “a perpetual astonishment”. Lighter days, a little
In Essence welcomes editorial
sunshine, and the colour and scent of spring flowers
contributions which can be short items
(news, letters, reviews) of 100–300 are enough to make everyone feel more positive.
words or feature articles or case studies
We hope you will find many positive notes throughout
of 1000–3000 words.
this edition of In Essence too, both in our articles and in our
Contributions can be sent by email to news and regular features.
the following address:
Our opening article in this edition (page 9) focuses on
[email protected] or typed clearly
on A4 paper, double–spaced, and sent Hannah Boot’s search for evidence that aromatherapy can help improve the well-
to the IFPA office (address below).
being of people with rheumatoid arthritis. In the first part of two-part feature
she explains how she carried out an extensive literature review. Through it, she
Technical details
discovered that, although there is evidence to indicate a role for aromatherapy in
Advertisement artwork: Please ensure helping to manage the emotional and physical problems associated with chronic
that all display advertisement artwork
disease, there is still much research to be done.
is supplied as CMYK PDFs or JPEGS at
300dpi. If you are unable to supply A problem that is little talked about or researched is tackled in the article on
artwork in these formats please note page 14 by members of the Complementary Health & Wellbeing Services team at
that the IFPA offers a design and layout
service (fee payable) – please contact The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester. They highlight the challenge,
the IFPA office for details. for patients, staff and carers, of persistant malodours in hospital wards and sug-
gest how essential oils, used in conjunction with good medical management and
Illustrations and Photographs: If
illustrations are to be used from nursing care, can help alleviate the problem.
previously published material, the The benefits of aromatherapy in a completely different setting are the sub-
author must seek permission to
reproduce from the original publishers ject of American nurse and clinical aromatherapist Pam Conrad’s article on page
and authors. Photographs to 20. She explains how she came to walk a section of the Camino de Santiago, the
accompany an article should be sent by
pilgrimage route leading to Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain, and the
email as a colour JPEG or TIFF file. If
scanning from an original image or essential oil kit she created to help her cope with the demanding physical and
photograph, please use the following
mental challenges of the enterprise.
settings: 300dpi, colour, 100% size.
If you make your own aromatherapy products, the development and mar-
The contents of this journal are the keting processes can be a challenge. But, says Ray Gransby of the Aromatherapy
copyright of the International
Trade Council, you can make it easier on yourself by making sure you are aware
Federation of Professional
Aromatherapists (IFPA) but do not of all the relevant regulations before you start (page 17).
necessarily represent its views.
Elsewhere in this edition we have reviews of two well-received new books on
The information provided by advertisers aromatherapy; a round-up of European gardens featuring medicinal plants; infor-
or included in inserts in In Essence is the mation on revised IFPA guidelines for Continuing Professional Development; and
sole responsibility of the advertisers
and, while accepted in good faith by news and views from both the Federation and the wider world of aromatherapy.
IFPA and the Editorial Board, is not We hope you enjoy this edition of your journal.
endorsed by, and does not necessarily
represent, IFPA opinion.
Contacts
Editorial
Pat Herbert Editor
Tel: [phone]
[email protected]
Advertising
Tel: [phone] Hannah Boot Pam Conrad, Dr Jacqui
[email protected] qualified as an from Indiana, Stringer, a
aromatherapist USA, is a member of the
Design and online edition just five years ago qualified nurse Complementary
Riverhead Publishing but, together and aromathera- Health &
[email protected] with a business pist. An Wellbeing
www.riverhead.co.uk partner, already runs a occasional contributor to In Services team at The Christie
thriving practice in Cardiff. In Essence, she brings us NHS Foundation Trust,
In Essence is published by the her article she shares what she American perspectives on Manchester, has a range of
International Federation of Professional
discovered about aromatherapy practice. In this research interests in the field
Aromatherapists (IFPA), IFPA House,
aromatherapy’s potential for edition she describes how of essential oils. In this issue
82 Ashby Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire
helping people with essential oils supported her Jacqui and her colleagues
LE10 1SN, United Kingdom.
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] rheumatoid arthritis when she during a demanding walk consider how aromatherapy
[email protected] carried out a comprehensive along on the pilgrimage route can help tackle malodours on
www.ifparoma.org literature review. to Santiago de Compostela. hospital wards.
In Essence Vol.1 3 No. 4 — Spring 2015 3
3 Editor’s letter
s
In Essence Welcome to our Spring issue
t
Journal of the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists
5 News
n
A round-up of news and views, including message from Acting IFPA Council Chair
canR ahreoummaatthoeirda apryt hhreitlpis?: e

Tackling malodours
with essential oils 8 Meeting members

Stepping out with
aromatic suppor t t
Making your own
products: getting it right Karen Sherwood highlights upcoming networking events
n
Volume 13 Number 4 Spring 2015
Cover photograph: Black Pepper (Piper 9 Rheumatoid arthritis: can aromatherapy help?
nigrum) fruits – K Hari Krishnan – http://
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black_ o
Pepper_(Piper_nigrum)_fruits.jpg
Hannah Boot undertakes a comprehensive literature review
C 14 Managing hospital malodours with essential oils
The Christie’s Complementary Health & Wellbeing Services team faces up to the challenge
17 Getting to grips with regulations
Do you make and sell your own products? Check the regulations, advises Ray Gransby
18 Research notes
20 Aromatherapy and the Camino de Santiago
Pam Conrad walks the pilgrim route with the help of essential oils
Choosing oils to help people with
23 News from the CNHC
rheumatoid arthritis – see page 9
Topical issues from the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council
23 News in brief
24 Continuing Professional Development: a new
approach
Identifying and recording CPD activities: new IFPA guidelines
Fresh, sharp citrus oils can help mask
27 Discover a new garden
unpleasant odours – see page 14
Visit a European medicinal garden on holiday this summer
30 Bookshelf
Christine Stacey and Anita James review new aromatherapy books
32 List of IFPA–accredited schools
34 Continuing Professional Development
Pam Conrad used a healing aromatic
37 Events
kit on a pilgrimage walk in Spain –
see page 20

4 In Essence Vol.1 3 No. 4 — Spring 2015
NEWS
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR IFPA Council
Acting Chair - Sue Charles
W
el- previously served on Council who [email protected]
come you may already know. The new
to co-opted Trustees are: Anita James, Secretary - Helen Athey
this Karen Sherwood, Christine Stacey, [email protected]
first 2015 edition Harriet Robinson and Sarah Cushing.
of In Essence and I would like to thank all Council Treasurer - Emily Song
all members of members for their hard work for the [email protected]
the IFPA Council IFPA and for their valued support to
wish you a very successful, happy and me as Chair. It is fabulous to have Education and Accreditation - Anita
healthy year. such a great team that is totally James: [email protected]
As many of you know, I have focused on moving the IFPA strongly
served on the Council for many years and successfully forward. International and Accreditation - Louise
and for several years I was the Con- With regard to In Essence the Carta: [email protected]
ference Chair, organising events such Council has listened to those of you
as the Annual General Meeting and who have asked us to bring back the Regional Groups and CPD - Karen
the Annual Conference. When Penny journal in printed, rather than in on- Sherwood: [email protected]
Price stepped down from the Chair’s line, format. We are currently looking
role and from Council, I was appoint- at the possibility of returning to the Membership - Sarah Cushing
ed Acting Chair of the IFPA Council. printed format for two editions per [email protected]
I am pleased to report that the year, in addition to the online version.
IFPA office staff have been working We also plan to continue with the Public Relations - Judy Howie
really hard to update our systems e-newsletters. So do watch this space [email protected]
and working practices and their ef- for further news on publications.
forts have greatly improved both our I hope to meet many of you at Research - Christine Stacey
office efficiency and our communica- the IFPA Annual General Meeting [email protected]
tion with members and schools. on 9 May 2015 (more details below)
As Penny Price reported in her and I would urge any member who Conference - Emily Song
last Chair’s letter we have had several would like to contribute to the work [email protected]
changes on Council over recent months of the IFPA to put themselves for-
and, in January, Julie Hurn, who served ward for nomination to Council. You can contact members of the IFPA
as Assistant to the Chair, also stepped Looking a little further ahead, I Council via their email addresses above.
down due to family commitments. I hope that as many members as pos-
will miss Julie very much and would sible will attend the 2015 IFPA confer-
Annual General
like to thank her for all she did to ence in Newcastle on 20 June (more
make my life much easier. We hope details on page 7). Both the location
Meeting in May
she will consider returning to Council and the venue were very popular with
when she has more time in her life. members when we held the confer-
Since the last few months have ence there in 2011 and we hope for The 2015 IFPA Annual General Meet-
been very busy for the remaining an equally successful event this year. ing (AGM) will be held on 9 May at the
Council members we have co-opted Meeting Centre, Hinckley LE10 0LQ.
some new Trustees to help us, includ- Sue Charles This is your chance to find out how the
ing some valuable people who have Acting Chair, IFPA Council IFPA Council has discharged its duties
over the past year and to ask any ques-
tions you may have about the future
CAM research conference and workshop development of the Federation.
The day starts at 9am, with time
The 2015 Complementary and Alterna- speaker will be Dr Peter Fisher, Clini- for networking before the AGM at
tive Medicine Strategy for Research and cal Director, Royal London Hospital for 10.30am. Following the meeting
Development (CAMSTRAND) confer- Integrated Medicine. there will be a refreshment break
ence will be held at London South Bank A pre-conference workshop on before the presentations. The Further
University on 10 June. Primarily for 9 June will feature keynote speaker Adventures of Smell Woman by Anita
individuals/research groups interested Professor George Lewith, Professor of James focuses on her work in schools
in CAM research development, it is also Health Services Research, University of while the second, by Judith Howie,
open to CAM practitioners interested Southampton. Full programme at www. explores Social Media for Aromathera-
in becoming researchers. The keynote lsbu.ac.uk/whats-on/camstrand-2015. pists. Full details at www.ifparoma.org
In Essence Vol.1 3 No. 4 — Spring 2015 5
The Institute of Gabriel Mojay, Principal
Tel: [phone]
Traditional Herbal Medicine
[email protected]
ITHMA
NEWS and Aromatherapy (established 1987) www.aromatherapy-studies.com
Special Advanced CPD Courses for 2015
Robert Tisserand seminar in London Working with GPs
International of questions Robert Tisserand will Many practitioners
educator, explore in this two-day Advanced find it difficult to
author and con- Certificate course and seminar. establish contact with
sultant Robert Gabriel Mojay of The Institute local GP practices but,
Tisserand will of Traditional Herbal Medicine and as CNHC-registered
lead a special Aromatherapy, who is organising hypnotherapist
seminar at the this major event, said: “This is a Heather Hutchison re-
University of unique opportunity to enrich your ports, it can be done
Westminster understanding of how aromather- if you set about it in the right way.
on June 13-14, apy works, based on contemporary She reports: “Each December I set
2015. The two-day event will focus scientific evidence, and deepen your out my qualifications and include infor-
on Essential oil chemistry and Phar- knowledge of several important fac- mation on my CPD so the GPs can see
Essential Oil Chemistry and Pharmacology Aromatic Medicine: Advanced Essential Oil
macology: the actions of aromatic ets of essential oils.” I’m committed to keeping my learning
The actions of aromatic compounds in the body Formulating for Common Clinical Conditions
compounds in the body. The course fee is £250 includ- up to date. I also include business cards
withW lehaadt ihnagp peessnes nwthiaeln o ailn e exspseenrtti aRl obeinrgt TVAisTs (eeraarnlydb i(rUd SraAte) ,of £2w30it hif world-claansds ian mstarrukcettoinrg- cblrioncihcuiarne. MAnadr kI a Wlweaybsb (Aus),
oailu ist habosro robfe tdh bey d theefi nboitdivy?e Hboowo k on Ebsosoenketdia bly O 13il ASparfiel 2ty015). Foaru ftuhlol r of thea cdldarsessisc m tey xlet totenr sA tou sat nraalmiaend oGiPl s–, oBtuh-sh Sense
do its constituent compounds exert information about the programme erwise it may never reach their desk.”
tShaetir- Sduiffne,r eJuntn eef f1ec3t-s?1 4W, h2a0t 1ar5e atht eR egeanndt’ sfo Ur bnoiov,k iLnog nddetoanils visitN wowvw 5.-8, 2015A &s a F reebsu 4lt-, 7H,e 2a0th1e6r ahta sR heagde nsetv’se rUaln GivP, London
factors determining the difference aromatherapy-studies.com/robert- referrals and has even worked with GPs
between a therapeutic outcome tisserand.html or telephone [phone] themselves.
and a toxic one? These are the kind 7383/0798 501 2565. Heather also recommends hav-
ing an open day and inviting both the
general public and local GPs. “Last year
I invited all my local GPs and one came
The use of aromasticks in a cancer centre
to meet me in person. Since then they
have sent a whole host of clients to me
A retrospective so it was really worthwhile.”
audit on the use Heather’s top tips are to keep up
of aromasticks at regular communication, send updates
The Royal Marsden about your CPD, and invite GPs to open
NHS Foundation days. “It takes time but is well worth
Trust, London was persisting,” she said.
Aromatherapy Study Day at Kew Gardens Aromatic Acupressure & Meridian Massage
recently published
Rine Cdoimscpolveemreinntga rayr omatic plants and their essential oils Integrating traditional massage & Oriental bodywork
Therapies in Clinical
with plant scientist & aromatherapist Dr Viv Anthony with exRpeorts teutso r-inpr aBctuitilognaerr Aialan Stuart
Practice.
Sat,A Jruonmea s6t,ic 2ks0 15 at Royal Botanic Kew Gdns, London Oct 10-11 & Oct 24-25, 2015 at Regent’s Univ, London
(personal aroma- Most of the world’s Rosa damascena
therapy inhaler essential oil is produced in Bulgaria’s
devices) are used by Valley of the Roses. If this is on your
the complementary list of must-see destinations you may
therapy team at like to know that a Rose Harvest and
Heart
The Royal Marsden Mentha x piperita, one of the most popular essential Aromatherapy Tour is being run 21-28
to improve patients’ oils used in the aromasticks audit May 2015.
Soul Mind
wellbeing and quality Highlights of the tour include the
of life by helping with cancer diagnoses and symptoms. The Rose Festival, taking part in the rose
symptom control. most common reasons for aromastick harvest, and seeing the distillation
The audit, which covered a Will use wVeirtea lt o alleviate nausea or to process. The trip also includes cultural
Spirit
28-month period from January encourage relaxation. Lavender (La- visits to places of interest. The cost is
2011-April 2013, aimed to consider the vandula angustifolia), lemon (Citrus li- €750 (includes accommodation, daily
reasons for aromastick use, the choice mon), frankincense (Boswellia carterii), breakfast and dinner and two lunch-
Harmonizing the Spirit: Five Element Aromatic Blending for Organic Skin Care
of essential oils used in them, and bergamot (Citrus bergamia), orange es, guided visits, and a programme
Athre odmemaotghraeprhaicps yo f& th Ees psaetnietnitsa tlo Oil Aswceuept o(Ciintrtu sM sinaesnssaisg) aend peppermint Creaotfe t aulnksi qwuiteh sIkFPinAc-aacrcere bdliteendd CsP fDr)o. m
whom they were given. (Mentha x piperita) were the essential Phliegahse q nuoatel itthya rt athwe mpraictee drioaelss not
with aromatherapist & acupuncturist Gabriel Mojay
A total of 514 aromasticks was oils used most often. See www.ncbi. include flights. For full details visit
with clinical aromatherapist Tanya Moulding
Ogivcetn 3 o-u4t, t2o0 p1a5ti einnt Ts woritohn at ova Orienty; Oof ct 1n0lm-1.n1i hin.g oAvt/plaunbtmae Gd/a25;486854 www.essentiallyholistic.co.uk
Oct 17-18 in Tampa Fl; Nov 13-15 in Tokyo Japan Nov 28-29, 2015 at Regent’s Univ, London
6 In Essence Vol.1 3 No. 4 — Spring 2015
NEWS
Yuzu oil helps to Join us in Newcastle for IFPA conference
reduce mothers’
This year’s IFPA
anxiety
Annual Conference
and Trade Show
In a controlled clinical trial Japanese will be held at the
researchers aimed to discover whether Marriott Gos-
inhaling yuzu essential oil could help forth Park Hotel,
relieve maternal anxiety when their Newcastle-upon-
sick child was having an infusion at a Tyne on 20 June
paediatric clinic. 2015. With expert
On arrival at the hospital in Osaka speakers and a
mothers were asked to complete an World Café session
anonymous questionnaire. If doctors this event offers a
confirmed that an infusion was needed great opportunity
for their child, the mothers who agreed to broaden your
to participate in the study were assigned knowledge of aromatherapy and set on 12 acres of parkland near the
to an aromatherapy (60 participants) or share experience. city centre, offers a range of leisure
a control group (61 participants). The IFPA Council is delighted that facilities including gym, pool, sauna
A diffuser was filled with yuzu oil clinical aromatherapist, educator and and beauty salon. More details at
before the participants entered the writer Lora Cantele from the USA will www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/hotel-
aromatherapy room and mothers were give two presentations. The first will information/travel/nclgf-newcastle-
shown how to use the aromatherapy focus on US aromatherapy and the marriott- hotel-gosforth-park.
diffuser while the child was receiving effect of multi-level marketing while The conference fee of £85 plus
an infusion in the same room. Fifteen the second will be Enhanced care for VAT includes refreshments on arrival
minutes later, the mothers completed developmentally disabled children. and in session breaks, and a three-
another questionnaire and their anxi- Also speaking at this event will course buffet lunch. The conference
ety level was measured. be clinical aromatherapist Harriet hotel is holding 38 rooms at a special
Both aromatherapy and control Robinson, a regular contributor to In conference rate (£90 single room;
groups were well balanced in terms Essence, who will take us on A virtual £110 for twin, including full break-
of demographic characteristics. Using walk around Kew Gardens - An aro- fast) until 8 May. To book, phone
analysis of variance, the researchers matherapist’s paradise. 0800 221 222 and quote the refer-
demonstrated a significant difference The World Café sessions for CPD ence A5M and International Federa-
in two-factor interactions between the discussion include: tion of Professional Aromatherapists,
two groups. Maternal state anxiety • Setting up and running a regional 20 June 2015 event.
was significantly lower in the aroma- group: Karen Sherwood The conference is open to any
therapy than in the control group. • Taster sessions: Harriet Robinson complementary therapist and to their
The researchers concluded that • Virtual book club: Anita James friends or family members so why
further study eg a multicentre ran- • Writing a book review: Sarah not make it a weekend break? The
domized controlled trial, is needed Cushing IFPA Council looks forward to wel-
to obtain objective evidence of • Volunteering on Council: Emily coming you to Newcastle for what
this beneficial effect of aroma- Song promises to be a stimulating and
therapy. See www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ The four-star conference hotel, enjoyable day.
pubmed/25453522
Integrative care Aromatherapy massage can reduce pain
The Research Council for Complemen- Iranian researchers recently investigat- massage with lavender and placebo
tary Medicine is to hold an autumn con- ed the effect of aromatherapy mas- oil in two consecutive menstrual cy-
ference on the theme Demonstrating sage on the severity of primary dys- cles. Pain levels were measured before
the value of integrative care. The event, menorrhea in a clinical trial involving and 30 minutes after the intervention.
which will be held at Middlesex Univer- 80 university students. Pain levels were The study results showed a significant
sity on 10 September 2015, will explore measured by visual analogue scale difference between VAS scores after
the evidence base for integration and (VAS) before the intervention. In the and before placebo massage. You can
new initiatives in integrative care provi- first days of menstruation each partici- access the full article at www.ncbi.nlm.
sion. More details at www.rccm.org.uk pant randomly received two types of nih.gov/pubmed/25709705.
In Essence Vol.1 3 No. 4 — Spring 2015 7
MEETING MEMBERS
Around the regions
Regional groups Chair Karen Sherwood highlights networking
opportunities at IFPA events
T
he first major event in the At my table I will talk about Set- occupation and a regional group can
IFPA’s 2015 calendar is the An- ting up and running a regional group provide the kind of interaction and
nual General Meeting, to be and also include ideas on ‘keeping support that many therapists find
held in Hinckley, Leicestershire your group alive’. This focus is in line extremely helpful.
on 9 May. This is your chance to talk with one of the IFPA Council’s cur- Social networking is, of course, a
to members of the IFPA Council and rent priorities - to build the number very effective, and increasingly popu-
to network with IFPA members from of regional groups and encourage lar way of establishing and maintain-
regional groups around the country. existing ones. ing contact with fellow professionals,
The next major date in the IFPA’s not just in the UK but around the
diary is the Annual Conference on Succession planning world. But that is a very different ex-
20 June 2015 in Newcastle-upon- The most successful regional groups perience from belonging to a regional
Tyne – see page 7 for more details. usually have a strong co-ordinator group where you can meet people
In addition to the presentations, this who has often been the driving force face to face, build relationships and
year’s conference also features a in setting the group up. But what a local network, and share news and
World Café which offers a chance to happens if that person moves away experience in person.
focus on a number of topics in short from the area or for personal reasons Groups provide a forum where
parallel sessions. cannot sustain their commitment to younger therapists can learn from
Designed to imitate a café envi- the group? Sadly, it can happen that, those with experience, and more
ronment and stimulate conversation without that driving force, the group mature practitioners can be inspired by
between participants, the World Café cannot continue. So it’s a good idea the enthusiasm and fresh ideas of the
format has proved a useful way of to have some kind of succession plan- newly qualified. With expert speakers,
promoting CPD discussion at previous ning in place to make sure that you or using skills and knowledge from
IFPA events. This year’s café will fea- have a member willing to carry on within the group, they can also provide
ture several tables, each focusing on the good work. a wide range of CPD opportunities to
a specific topic, and the idea is that develop your knowledge and skills. So,
participants move around the room Networking if you are not currently a member of a
to engage with the conversations at Working by yourself as an aromath- regional group do consider joining one
each table. erapy practitioner can be a solitary or setting one up.
GROUP NAME / LOCATION ORGANISER TELEPHONE EMAIL ADDRESS
Aberdeen Group Beverley Skinner 01779 821051 / 07726531498 [email protected]
AromaForum, Stockport, Cheshire Justine Jackson 0161 439 7453 / 07974 207033 [email protected]
Aroma Network, Watford, Herts Jayashree Kothari – [email protected]
Birmingham Group, Birmingham, W. Mids. Jane Cummins 0121 224 736 –
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 cs.pht.btinternet.com
Chinese Aromatherapists in UK X Song 07738704701 [email protected]
Fragrant Grapevine, Edinburgh Carolyn Hood 0131 447 4862 [email protected]
Glosaroma Group, Gloucester Lynn Latham 01989 566101 [email protected]
Hebden Bridge / Calderdale Group, West Yorkshire Clare Whitworth 07790761702 [email protected]
Hong Kong Group, Hong Kong Jenny Tsang [phone] [email protected]
Hong Kong Regional Group, Hong Kong Annie Lee [phone] [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 Regional Group, Shanghai Zheng Yu Ying – [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 Lianne Sara-Gray 07766 655279 [email protected]
TBA, Ballyhearne, Eire Noelene Cashin Cafolla (0353) 0949030950 –
8 In Essence Vol.1 3 No. 4 — Spring 2015
Rheumatoid arthritis:
can aromatherapy help?
Is there any evidence that aromatherapy can help improve the
well-being of people with rheumatoid arthritis? Hannah Boot
carried out an extensive literature review to find out
R
heumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an clinically useful, especially in chronic diseases, since aiming
autoimmune disease that causes for an improvement in this aspect of an individual’s life may
pain, inflammation, and swell- be more realistic than aiming to achieve improvements in
ing of the joints, resulting in the symptoms or functioning related to the disease.
stiffness. Over time, permanent damage
may be caused and the joints may cease HOW AROMATHERAPY CAN BE BENEFICIAL
to work effectively.
Other symptoms of RA include tired- Aromatherapy is a holistic therapy that treats the whole
ness and generally feeling unwell. The active stages of the person. Where it is possible within the scope of the
disease, known as flare-ups, are unpredictable. There is no therapy, it aims to treat the symptoms of a disease but it
known cure for RA although some treatments help to slow also works towards increasing well-being and enjoyment
down its progression. of life (Battaglia, 2003).
The limiting mobility and functioning, tiredness, the Kyle (2006) suggests that aromatherapy works on
general feeling of being unwell, and the unpredictability mood by encouraging the release of neurotransmitters
of the disease make RA difficult to live with. Coping with such as encephaline and endorphins. Encephaline and
this condition on a day-to-day basis can make those af- endorphins reduce pain and create a feeling of well-being.
fected feel depressed and despondent (NHS Choices, 2007). Battaglia (2003) suggests that the four aspects of aroma-
Statistics collected by Arthritis Care (2007) show how therapy that can be beneficial include the pharmacology
RA affects the economy. In the UK in 2000, for example, of the essential oils used, the relationship between the
the cost of prescribed drugs for arthritis was £341 million. therapist and the client, the role of olfaction (sense of
In 1999-2000 206 million working days were lost due to smell), and the massage itself.
arthritis - the equivalent of a loss of production of over Pharmacologically, essential oils possess chemicals
£18 billion. These statistics show the need for investigation with specific properties, such as analgesic, anti-inflamma-
into forms of management for RA. tory and sedative, that may have a positive effect on an
Well-being is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary individual. With regard to the development of a positive
(2005) as a state of being comfortable, happy or healthy - therapist/client relationship, complementary practitioners
some of the most important factors in people’s lives. The tend to spend more time with their clients than practitio-
World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as “a ners of conventional medicine are able to do.
state of complete physical, mental and social well-being Olfaction is important too and inhaling odours has
and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This been shown to recreate memories and associations. There-
definition shows the importance of positive well-being in fore odours have been used to alter mood, evoke feelings,
promoting physical, mental and social health (WHO, 2007). and decrease stress and blood pressure.
RA and well-being link together because, as stated by The type of massage I focused on in my study was Swed-
Brownfield (1998), patients living with a chronic illness, ish massage, involving the use of touch by a therapist on a
with symptoms such as pain, stiffness and general fatigue, client’s muscles. Generally, this involves kneading, gliding,
are very likely to find that these symptoms impact on their and friction strokes to the superficial tissues of the body. The
psychological functioning. In a study by Paterson (1996) strokes used depend upon the individual needs of the client
practitioners reported that an investigation of well-being is so no treatment is identical (Braun and Simonson, 2005). ➤
In Essence Vol.1 3 No. 4 — Spring 2015 9
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Lemongrass is an essential oil often recommended for rheumatoid arthritis because of its analgesic properties
Massage encourages a sense of emotional comfort Cooke and Ernst (2002), Kyle (2006), Evans (1995), Kim et
and, in physical terms, encourages blood and lymph circu- al (2005), Osborn et al (2001), Brownfield (1998), Paterson
lation, decreases muscular tension, relieves pain in muscles (1995), Henkel et al (2003) and Heun et al (1999). Identify-
and joints, stimulates the immune system and reduces high ing and evaluating research into aromatherapy’s effects on
blood pressure (Battaglia, 2003). Lidell (2000) suggests well-being may provide methodological considerations for
that a caring massage can create feelings of well-being this study.
and that the emotional aspect of a massage is extremely
important. Lavender baths
Therefore, combining aromatherapy and massage is Morris (2002) investigated the effects of lavender baths on
a useful tool in addressing the issue of decreased well- psychological well-being. Although this obviously did not
being in those suffering from a chronic disease such as involve the use of aromatherapy massage, aromatherapy
RA. Importantly, aromatherapy is one of the complemen- essential oils were used.
tary therapies that offers patients a choice in the form of The results found that adding lavender essential oil to
management they could use for their disease. This choice a bath helped to reduce pessimism and led to an increase
enables the individual to feel they have some control over in psychological well-being. These positive results may
their condition and gives them a feeling of empowerment have provided justification for research into whether
(Brownfield, 1998). Also, according to Battaglia (2003), aromatherapy massage can influence well-being: if bath-
aromatherapy can produce a variety of positive effects on ing could produce an increase in psychological well-being,
well-being through touch, olfaction and pharmacology. then massage, which is more therapeutic, should produce
at least the same or even higher levels.
LITERATURE REVIEW However Morris’s (2002) research did not involve
massage and therefore comparisons as to the effect
A literature review was conducted to find out whether massage may have could not be made reliably. This
aromatherapy, RA and well-being have been previously in- study did not state which aspect of the bathing regimen
vestigated. Any previous research might be able to provide produced the psychological benefits. Therefore these re-
methodological considerations for this study. sults could not be used to predict the effects of lavender
A review of secondary research was conducted from specifically since it may have been the bathing itself that
medical, healthcare and complementary and alternative affected the participants.
therapy journals available online and in hard copy, all ac-
cessed at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Eleven relevant Professional survey and review
studies were found from the manual and computerised Although Morris (2002) was able to show that aromath-
searches. These were Morris (2002), Long et al (2001), erapy essential oils could be used in the management of
10 In Essence Vol.1 3 No. 4 — Spring 2015