MedWorm: Aromatherapy

Complementary medicine - does it work?

Telegraph Health — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:24:36 +0100

Many degree courses in aromatherapy and acupuncture are being scrapped. Bad news for those of us who benefit from alternative therapies, says Anna Tyzack. (Source: Telegraph Health)

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Effect of an integrated support programme on the concerns and wellbeing of women with breast cancer: A national service evaluation.

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:56:11 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that women with breast cancer find the Haven integrated support programme valuable for addressing their main concerns and improving their feeling of wellbeing. PMID: 22196567 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice)

New Insights into Aromatherapy for Obesity: The Future

Journal of Pakistan Medical Students — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This article has been peer reviewed. Article Submitted on: 10th December 2011 Article Accepted on: 15th December 2011 Funding Sources: None declared Correspondence to Muhammad Naeem, medical student Address: Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan Email Address: dowgrad2012@yahoo.com Editorial The Godzilla of obesity pandemic has resulted in the sudden increment of cardiometabolic disorders in nations where fast food consumption is rampant, and thus proves to be a predicament in current era of advanced medicine. In United States, 32% of adults are obese and since obesity is associated with significant health burden, it is thought that it will gulp upto 19.6% of gross domestic product (GDP) by the year 2016.[1] According to World Health Organization ...

Help Me Go to Sleep

About Sleep Disorders — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

If you are struggling to get the rest that you need, you may arrive at one demand: help me go to sleep! Fortunately, there are many options available to help you get to sleep. First, you may wish to explore ways to help you sleep. As part of this, you may discover what is wrong with your sleep, including the potential for various sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome. Sometimes trouble sleeping may relate to behavioral choices that can be corrected with better sleep guidelines, including keeping a regular schedule and avoiding naps. For those who continue to struggle to sleep, you may be interested in learning about home remedies such as aromatherapy or over-the-counter supplements like melatonin. If you find yourself needing extra assistance, it may be t...

Alternative Treatment Options to Cure Insomnia

About Sleep Disorders — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

If you have difficulty falling or staying asleep or you find that your sleep is simply not refreshing, you are familiar with the symptoms of insomnia. When this becomes persistent and bothersome, you may be interested in learning about your treatment options. For some, sleeping pills are acceptable, but for others it is desirable to seek alternative treatment options to cure your insomnia. Many benefit from simple behavioral changes that are outlined in guidelines for better sleep. You might find that keeping a regular sleep schedule, avoiding naps, and limiting your caffeine and nicotine before bed is helpful. In addition, maintaining an appropriate sleep environment and reducing the time you spend awake there through a treatment called stimulus control can make a difference. When you f...

Natural Remedies for Dealing with Stress

Psych Central — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:27:35 +0100

Many Americans today are under huge amounts of stress. With the decline of the economy, many find themselves dealing with financial stress. There are also those everyday stressors that come along with the normal hustle and bustle of life. Stress-related doctor visits are on the rise. There are several medical options for dealing with stress. While medications can be helpful, many individuals want to avoid taking them every day or dealing with possible side effects. There are several natural remedies to consider when dealing with stress. Eating a Healthy Diet Eating right is not only good for your body physically, but it is also good for emotional health. When we eat better, we feel better. Some suggest a natural body cleanse or detox to jumpstart this process. Avoiding excessive fats, ca...

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Fashion icon Donna Karan launches Urban Zen Integrative Therapy program at UCLA

UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:50:00 +0100

The objective of the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy program is to train and then to provide integrative therapists in hospitals, outpatient care, support groups and private practices who can blend the best of Eastern and Western healing techniques." The UCLA Center for East–West Medicine currently offers traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, acupressure and herbal medicine, on an outpatient basis. UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center teaches the practice of mindfulness — the moment-by-moment process of actively and openly observing one's physical, mental and emotional experiences. The Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program at the UCLA Health System is designed to take these advances to the next level. "During this ...

The use of aromatherapy to improve self-esteem

Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:37:05 +0100

The objectives of this study were to verify if inhaling rose and ylang-ylang essential oils has any effect on one's perception of self-esteem, and compare their efficiency. The study was approved by the University of São Paulo Hospital Research Ethics Committee. Participants were 43 workers from the Sanitation Department and from the Materials and Sterilization Center, and the study took place from May to July 2009. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: two that received the essential oils and a third that received placebo (rose essence). The self-esteem evaluation was performed using a scale validated in Brazil, which was applied before using the aromas, as well as 30 and 60 days after the use. Results showed that the sample consisted of 88.6% individuals with medium an...

Does postoperative ‘M’ technique® massage with or without mandarin oil reduce infants’ distress after major craniofacial surgery?

Journal of Advanced Nursing — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. Results do not support a benefit of ‘M’ technique® massage with or without mandarin oil in these young postoperative patients. Several reasons may account for this: massage given too soon after general anaesthesia, young patients’ fear of strangers touching them, patients not used to massage. (Source: Journal of Advanced Nursing)

The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in pregnancy: Data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).

Complementary Therapies in Medicine — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:06:11 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: CAM use in pregnancy, where a wide range of CAMs has been assessed, has not been widely reported. Studies that have been conducted report varying results to this study (26.7%) by between 13.3% and 87% of pregnant women. Survey results will be affected by a number of factors namely the inclusion/exclusion of vitamins and minerals, the timing of data collection, the country of source, the number of women surveyed, and the different selection criteria of either recruiting women to the study or of categorising and identifying a CAM treatment or product. PMID: 22036522 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Complementary Therapies in Medicine)

Can Aromatherapy Produce Harmful Indoor Air Pollutants?

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0100

Spas that offer massage therapy using fragrant essential oils, called aromatherapy, may have elevated levels of potentially harmful indoor air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ultrafine particles, according to an article in Environmental Engineering Science, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Fragrant essential oils, derived from plants, may release various VOCs into the air... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Can aromatherapy produce harmful indoor air pollutants?

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News) Spas that offer massage therapy using fragrant essential oils, called aromatherapy, may have elevated levels of potentially harmful indoor air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds and ultrafine particles, according to an article in Environmental Engineering Science, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert Inc. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Acupuncture, Acupressure And Aromatherapy Efficient In Tackling Pain

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Many patients suffering from chronic pain try alternative and complementary treatments as these are often viewed as natural and therefore risk-free. Prof. Edzard Ernst (Exeter, UK) warned at the EFIC Congress 'Pain in Europe VII' that patients are being bombarded with misinformation on the subject but that in fact very few alternative pain treatments are supported by well-founded evidence. However, evidence was presented during the Congress that therapies, such as acupuncture, acupressure and aromatherapy are efficient in tackling pain... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Self-aromatherapy massage of the abdomen for the reduction of menstrual pain and anxiety during menstruation in nurses: A placebo-controlled clinical trial

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of self-aromatherapy massage on menstrual pain and anxiety.Participants and methods: The subjects were 63 female nurses who rated their menstrual pain >5 on a 10-point visual analogue scale. Subjects were non-randomly allocated into three groups: an experimental group (N=26) who performed self-aromatherapy massage, a placebo group (N=18), and a no-treatment control group (N=19). Eleven participants dropped out of the study either because of nausea (experimental group, N=1) or because they took medication during the trial (placebo group, N=3; control group, N=4). The final analysis included 25 in the experimental group, 15 in the placebo group, and 15 in the no-treatment control group. Menstrual pain and anxiety levels w...

Aromatherapy Massage on the Abdomen for Alleviating Menstrual Pain in High School Girls: A Preliminary Controlled Clinical Study

Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:26:01 +0100

This study investigated the alleviating effects of aromatherapy massage and acetaminophen on menstrual pain in Korean high school girls. Subjects were divided into two groups: the aromatherapy massage (treatment) group (n=32) and the acetaminophen (control) group (n=23). Aromatherapy massage was performed on subjects in the treatment group. The abdomen was massaged once using clary sage, marjoram, cinnamon, ginger, and geranium in a base of almond oil. The level of menstrual pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale at baseline and twenty-four hours afterward. The reduction of menstrual pain was significantly higher in the aromatherapy group than in the acetaminophen group. Using multiple regression, aromatherapy massage was found to be more highly associated with reduction in the le...

Effectiveness of environment-based interventions for people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

The American Journal of Occupational Therapy — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Padilla R Abstract A systematic review of evidence for the efficacy of environment-based interventions on the affect, behavior, and performance of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias was conducted as part of the American Occupational Therapy Association's Evidence-Based Literature Review Project. Thirty-three reports met inclusion criteria. Results suggest that ambient music, aromatherapy, and Snoezelen are modestly effective in reducingagitation but do not consistently have long-term effects. Visually complex environments that give the illusion of barriers deter people from wandering to unsafe places but do not reduce the urge to wander. Evidence that bright light therapy can aid in regulating mood and the sleep-wake cycle and thus help people remain awa...

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Toxic profile of bergamot essential oil on survival and proliferation of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.

Food and Chemical Toxicology — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Berliocchi L, Ciociaro A, Russo R, Cassiano MG, Blandini F, Rotiroti D, Morrone LA, Corasaniti MT Abstract Cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food and confectionary industries make increasing use of plant extracts in their products. Despite the widespread use of products containing plant extracts, the mechanisms of their effects are not fully characterized. Bergamot essential oil (BEO; Citrus bergamia, Risso) is a well-known plant extract used in aromatherapy and it has analgesic, anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects in rodents. To elicit neuroprotection, BEO recruits Akt prosurvival pathways. However, Akt stimulates cell proliferation, which may also pose risks for health in case of prolonged use. To study the potential effects of BEO on survival and proliferation of dividing ce...

The Effect of Lavender Aromatherapy on Autonomic Nervous System in Midlife Women with Insomnia

Clinical and Developmental Immunology — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 12:13:31 +0100

The objective of this study is to determine the effects of 12 weeks of lavender aromatherapy on self-reported sleep and heart rate variability (HRV) in the midlife women with insomnia. Sixty-seven women aged 45–55 years, with a CPSQI (Chinese version of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) greater than 5, were recruited from communities in Taiwan. The experimental group (n=34) received lavender inhalation, 20 min each time, twice per week, for 12 weeks, with a total of 24 times. The control group (n=33) received health education program for sleep hygiene with no intervention. The study of HRV was analyzed by time- and frequency-domain methods. Significant decrease in mean heart rate (HR) and increases in SDNN (standard deviation of the normal-to-normal (NN) intervals), RMSDD (squa...

Aromatherapy for pain management in labour

NeLM - Complementary Medicine — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Source: Cochrane Library Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine Background Many women would like to avoid pharmacological or invasive methods of pain management in labour and this may contribute towards the popularity of complementary methods of pain management. This review examined currently available evidence supporting the use of aromatherapy for pain management in labour. Objectives To examine the effects of aromatherapy for pain management in labour on maternal and perinatal morbidity. Search strategy We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 October 2010), The Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field's Trials Register (October 2010), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue...

Aromatherapy for pain management in labour.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:00:03 +0100

Authors: Smith CA, Collins CT, Crowther CA Many women would like to avoid pharmacological or invasive methods of pain management in labour and this may contribute towards the popularity of complementary methods of pain management. This review examined currently available evidence supporting the use of aromatherapy for pain management in labour. PMID: 21735438 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews)

It makes scents.

Nursing Standard — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Jaloba A Abstract Aromatherapy, and the claims made for it, is the subject of the second article in our six-part series on alternative and complementary therapies. PMID: 21888100 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Nursing Standard)

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Changes in Attitudes of Japanese Doctors toward Complementary and Alternative Medicine—Comparison of Surveys in 1999 and 2005 in Kyoto

Experimental Diabetes Research — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:03:30 +0100

In conclusion, the numbers of doctors who practice CAM therapies, possess CAM knowledge and desire to practice such therapies have increased over the last 6 years in Japan. (Source: Experimental Diabetes Research)

The Herb of Immortality

Al Sears, MD Natural Remedies — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:33:44 +0100

You probably know sage as a cooking spice. But it’s too good just to keep in your kitchen and break out only for your Thanksgiving turkey. Your ancient ancestors prized sage. They thought people who drank sage tea never got old. They called sage the “herb of immortality.” In ancient Rome, if you wanted to pick sage you had to have a ceremony. The ancient Aztecs also revered it, and used the leaves to make face paint that marked rank in their society. (Source: Al Sears, MD Natural Remedies)

Evaluation of Effects of Lavender and Peppermint Aromatherapy Using Sensitive Salivary Endocrinological Stress Markers

Stress and Health — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

AbstractBy measuring the sensitive salivary endocrinological stress markers cortisol and chromogranin A (CgA), we investigated effects on stress of lavender and peppermint aromas. Groups of volunteers were each exposed to an airborne organic essential oil: either lavender or peppermint or, for control, odourless jojoba. Saliva samples were collected immediately before and after the 10‐min exposure and 5 and 10 min later. Salivary cortisol and CgA levels were evaluated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. After exposure, in the peppermint aroma group, salivary cortisol statistically significantly decreased and salivary CgA statistically significantly increased. No similar changes were found in either the lavender aroma or the control group. These findings suggest that peppermint arom...

It Takes Me Someplace Else…

Al Sears, MD Natural Remedies — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 20:50:00 +0100

Peppermint is a real medical curiosity to me. It’s wonderfully effective and it’s almost immediately effective. I don’t completely understand it. How can you take an herb, and it has its effect in one to five seconds? It means there’s something else going on other than the normal explanations of chemistry and physiology. Part of it might be the aromatherapy effect, because it’s very aromatic. You can crush the leaf in your fingers and inhale it, and feel better in an instant. Break it up and breathe it in and you get that “aaaahhhhhhhhhh” feeling. Like you just came back from taking a shower, or a walk on a spring day. It takes you someplace else… (Source: Al Sears, MD Natural Remedies)

Lavender essence for post-cesarean pain.

Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences: PJBS — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 04:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, aromatherapy by using lavender essence is a successful and safe complementary therapy in reducing pain after CS. PMID: 22235509 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences: PJBS)

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Effects of lavender olfactory input on cosmetic procedures

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology — Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Although essential oil of lavender did not have an effect on the subjects’ perception of pain during a facial injection, subjects showed significant increases in parasympathetic activity when exposed to the lavender aroma. Lavender aromatherapy has the potential to ease anxiety in patients undergoing minimally invasive facial cosmetic procedures. (Source: Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology)

Offering aromatherapy hand/foot massage to people who have suffered a brain injury

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Background: Aromatherapy massage is used for brain injury survivors in a number of healthcare settings , yet published research is virtually non-existent. Studies with other clinical groups suggest that foot massage may have short-term benefits , but this is yet to be established with brain injury clients. (Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine)

Aromatherapy: Is it worthwhile?

MayoClinic.com Full Feed — Sat, 28 May 2011 01:45:01 +0100

Aromatherapy — A Mayo Clinic specialist discusses the therapeutic use of essential oils. (Source: MayoClinic.com Full Feed)

Biotransformation of myrcene by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Chemistry Central Journal — Mon, 23 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

The objective of this research was to study biotransformation of myrcene by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The culture preparation was done using such variables as different microbial methods and incubation periods to obtain maximum cells of P. aeruginosa for myrcene biotransformation. Results: It was found that myrcene was converted to dihydrolinalool and 2,6-dimethyloctane in high percentages. The biotransformation products were identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet (UV) analysis, gas chromatography (GC), and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Comparison of the different incubation times showed that 3 days was more effective, the major products being 2,6-dimethyloctane (90.0%) and alpha-terpineol (7.7%) and comprising 97.7%. In contrast, the main ...

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The use of aromatherapy in alleviating anxiety

Acta Paulista de Enfermagem — Fri, 06 May 2011 21:04:02 +0100

CONCLUSION: Although not statistically significant, there was greater efficacy of Lavender EO in reducing anxiety.OBJETIVOS: Verificar cómo el uso de los aceites esenciales (OE) de Lavanda y Geranio alteran la percepción de ansiedad y comparar su eficacia. MÉTODOS: La muestra estuvo compuesta por estudiantes del pregrado en Enfermería que fueron randomizados en tres grupos: dos que recibieron OE (en un gel de base polimérica) y el otro placebo (que recibió esencia de Rosa). La evaluación de la ansiedad fue realizada por medio de una escala ya validada, aplicada antes, al final de 30 y de 60 días de uso de los geles aromáticos. RESULTADOS: El grupo que utilizó Lavanda tuvo una reducción de -11,80 en promedio de los escores, sin embargo no significativo estadísticamente. CONCLUSI...

Nurses' Perceptions and Experiences With End-of-Life Communication and Care.

Oncology Nursing Forum — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Missed opportunities may reflect nurses' attitudes. However, lack of patient and family member acceptance was the most important barrier to discussion of hospice.Implications for Nursing: Strategies to enable nurses to have a stronger voice during this critical time for their patients are needed and, when developed, supported in practice to ensure that they are used. PMID: 21531673 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Oncology Nursing Forum)

Aromasticks in cancer care: An innovation not to be Sniffed at.

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 09:30:09 +0100

Authors: Stringer J, Donald G To evaluate the effects of a new aromatherapy intervention introduced within an acute cancer care setting in the UK. PMID: 21457903 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice)

Aromatherapy Benefits Autonomic Nervous System Regulation for Elementary School Faculty in Taiwan

Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:54:13 +0100

In this study, fifty-four elementary school teachers were recruited to evaluate aromatherapy performance on stress reduction. Bergamot essential oil was used for aromatherapy spray for 10 minutes. Blood pressure and autonomic nervous system parameters were recorded 5 minutes before and after the application of the aroma spray. Results showed that there were significant decreases in blood pressure, heart rate, LF power percentage, and LF/HF while there were increases in heart rate variability and HF power percentage (P<.001∗∗∗) after application of the aromatherapy spray. Further analysis was investigated by dividing subjects into three background variables (position variables, age variables, gender variables) and anxiety degree groups. All parameters were signif...

A systematic review of insomnia and complementary medicine

Sleep Medicine Reviews — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 23:18:58 +0100

Summary: In concert with growing public interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), these therapies and products have been increasingly studied over the past two decades for the treatment of sleep disorders. While systematic reviews have been conducted on acupuncture and valerian in the treatment of insomnia, to date no comprehensive review has been conducted on all major CAM treatments. We sought to address this via a rigorous systematic review of hypnotic CAM interventions, including herbal and nutritional medicine, acupuncture, acupressure, yoga, tai chi, massage, aromatherapy and homoeopathy. The electronic databases MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, PsycINFO, and The Cochrane Library were accessed during late 2009 for CAM randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the treatment of c...

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Essential oil composition of schinus molle l. fruits: an ornamental species used as condiment

Journal of Food Biochemistry — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, Schinus molle L. fruits have been found to be a potential source of volatile components and some of there are of great economical importance. From a practical standpoint, the essential oils of S. molle fruits could have numerous applications in the food industry, cosmetics and aromatherapy because of their richness in limonene, which is characterized by its nice perfume and biological properties. (Source: Journal of Food Biochemistry)

GPs commission controversial complementary therapies

HSJ — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 09:42:00 +0100

Having been given the purse strings to the NHS commissioning budget, a host of GPs opted to commission complementary therapies, including acupuncture and aromatherapy. (Source: HSJ)

The ToT Study: Helping with Touch or Talk (ToT): a pilot randomised controlled trial to examine the clinical effectiveness of aromatherapy massage versus cognitive behaviour therapy for emotional distress in patients in cancer/palliative care

Psycho-Oncology — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Recruitment was feasible; the interventions acceptable and engagement with treatment was high. Improvements with both interventions were observed. The beneficial effects on depression with CBT appeared to be sustained. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: Psycho-Oncology)

Aromatherapy: Current and Emerging Applications

Alternative and Complementary Therapies — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 21:06:09 +0100

Alternative and Complementary Therapies Feb 2011, Vol. 17, No. 1: 26-31. (Source: Alternative and Complementary Therapies)

A Systematic Review on the Anxiolytic Effects of Aromatherapy in People with Anxiety Symptoms

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 04:01:31 +0100

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine)

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Use of complementary and alternative medicine at Norwegian and Danish hospitals

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The extent of CAM being offered has increased substantially in Norway during the first decade of the 21st century. This might indicate a shift in attitude regarding CAM within the conventional health care system. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)

The use of complementary and alternative medicine by pregnant women: A literature review.

Midwifery — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: many women use complementary and alternative medicine when they are pregnant. Further research is needed to gain a greater understanding of the true prevalence and expectant women's motivation for the use of complementary and alternative medicine. Health-care professionals are encouraged to ask women about their use of these treatments and seek out relevant information. PMID: 21247674 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Midwifery)

Non-pharmacological approach to pain relief during labor as hard-light care technology: a systematic review

Texto e Contexto - Enfermagem — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 21:44:57 +0100

This study is composed of 12 randomized eligible clinical tests published between 1980 and 2009 which evaluated immersion baths, massages, and aromatherapy. Results show that the immersion bath should be initiated after 3 cm of dilation in order not to prolong the strains of delivery and harm neo-natal results. Massage is efficient in alleviating anxiety, pain, and stress, being most effective in reducing pain when utilized in the beginning of the latent phase. Aromatherapy diminishes anxiety and fear. It is necessary to establish parameters for the application of each method in order that maternal and neonatal results are positive and contribute to the woman's satisfaction.Se trata de una revisión sistemática con el objetivo de evaluar los resultados maternos y neonatales de la utilizac...

Midwives' support for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A literature review.

Women Birth — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: There is considerable support by midwives for the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by expectant women. Despite this enthusiasm, currently there are few educational opportunities and only limited research evidence regarding CAM use in midwifery practice. These shortfalls need to be addressed by the profession. Midwives are encouraged to have an open dialogue with childbearing women, to document use and to base any advice on the best available evidence. PMID: 21236745 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Women Birth)

Inhalation aromatherapy in children and adolescents undergoing stem cell infusion: results of a placebo‐controlled double‐blind trial

Psycho-Oncology — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Although this trial did not report a benefit of inhalation aromatherapy for reducing anxiety, nausea, or pain when added to standard supportive care, it provides the first experimental rather than descriptive report on testing a single therapeutic essential oil among children and adolescents undergoing stem cell infusion. Future research may consider exploring the cutaneous application of essential oil through massage or other psychoeducational counseling interventions among parents with elevated anxiety and patients with greater information seeking coping styles during SCT. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: Psycho-Oncology)

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Healing advantages of lavender essential oil during episiotomy recovery: A clinical trial.

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 22:00:35 +0100

This study suggests application of lavender essential oil instead of Povidone-iodine for episiotomy wound care. PMID: 21168115 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice)

Art Therapy and Alzheimer's Disease

About Alzheimers Disease — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

I've often been amazed at how often my patients with Alzheimer's disease are better able to express themselves through art and music than with words. While I've written before about how art and music therapy, exercise and aromatherapy have all been used to help with agitation in dementia, new research is adding to our knowledge about the benefits of art therapy in particular. According to Cordula Dick-Muehlke, PhD, executive director of the Alzheimer's Family Services Center in Huntington Beach, California, art allows people with Alzheimer's disease to use their preserved cognitive skills. By tapping into what a person can still feel successful at, art helps people express essential features of themselves. Since memory of special days like getting married or spending Christmas day with th...

Spa Spy: Hartwell Spa, Aylesbury, Bucks

Telegraph Health — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 11:10:35 +0100

Our sleuth investigates the curative claims of wellbeing retreats worldwide. (Source: Telegraph Health)

Limonene, a natural cyclic terpene, is an agonistic ligand for adenosine A(2A) receptors.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research communications — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Park HM, Lee JH, Yaoyao J, Jun HJ, Lee SJ Limonene is a major aromatic compound in essential oils extracted from citrus rind. The application of limonene, especially in aromatherapy, has expanded significantly, but its potential effects on cellular metabolism have been elusive. We found that limonene directly binds to the adenosine A(2A) receptor, which may induce sedative effects. Results from an in vitro radioligand binding assay showed that limonene exhibits selective affinity to A(2A) receptors. In addition, limonene increased cytosolic cAMP concentration and induced activation of protein kinase A and phosphorylation of cAMP-response element-binding protein in Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with the human adenosine A(2A) receptor gene. Limonene also increased cyto...

Mentha piperita (peppermint).

Dermatitis — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Herro E, Jacob SE PEPPERMINT (Mentha piperita) is a popular herb that can be used in numerous forms (ie, oil, leaf, leaf extract, and leaf water). Peppermint oil has the most uses, and use data on the oil are considered relevant to the leaf extract formulations as well. This herbal preparation is used in cosmeceuticals, personal hygiene products, foods, and pharmaceutical products for both its flavoring and fragrance properties. Peppermint oil possesses a fresh sharp menthol odor and a pungent taste followed by a cooling sensation. It also has a variety of therapeutic properties and is used in aromatherapy, bath preparations, mouthwashes, toothpastes, and topical preparations. Topical preparations of peppermint oil have been used to calm pruritus and relieve irritation and inf...

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Acute effects of bergamot oil on anxiety‐related behaviour and corticosterone level in rats

Phytotherapy Research — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:25:42 +0100

In conclusion, both BEO and diazepam exhibited anxiolytic‐like behaviours and attenuated HPA axis activity by reducing the corticosterone response to stress. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: Phytotherapy Research)

Aromatherapy Essential Oils and Materials

Disabled World — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 22:46:28 +0100

Explanation of materials and oils used in Aromatherapy. (Source: Disabled World)

Therapy day to cultivate garden cash

Scotsman.com News - Health — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100

AROMATHERAPY, massages and animal oracle reading will all be on offer as part of a complementary therapy event to raise funds for a local sensory garden in West Lothian. (Source: Scotsman.com News - Health)

The Scent of Sleep

WSJ.com: Health — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:33:24 +0100

A wide array of lavender aromatherapy products claim they will help you relax and get a good night's sleep. Aches & Claims looks at the scientific evidence on the effects of lavender on sleep. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)

Integrating complementary and alternative medicine: Use of myrrh in wound management

Journal of Vascular Nursing — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:00:32 +0100

More than 38% of adult Americans use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Many nurses and other healthcare providers have integrated CAM into their practice. Aromatherapy, a type of CAM, uses essential plant oils that emit strong, pleasant aromas to promote relaxation, healing and an overall sense of well-being. Aromatherapy has been used for centuries in cosmetics, fragrances, embalming, mummification, spiritual relaxation and healing. Several different techniques for the application of essential oils in aromatherapy include inhalation, vaporization, massage, bathing and compresses. (Source: Journal of Vascular Nursing)

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Comforting Sick Children

WSJ.com: Health — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:45:06 +0100

Parents and doctors are turning to nondrug treatments such as meditation and aromatherapy to help children cope with disease symptoms and drug side effects. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)

Complementary and alternative medicine use in England: results from a national survey

International Journal of Clinical Practice — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Complementary and alternative medicine use in England remains substantial, even amongst those taking prescription drugs. These data serve as a valuable reminder to medical practitioners to ask patients about CAM use and should be routinely collected to facilitate prioritisation of the research agenda in CAM. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)

Aromatherapy for treatment of hypertension: a systematic review

Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion The existing trial evidence does not show convincingly that aromatherapy is effective for hypertension. Future studies should be of high quality with a particular emphasis on designing an adequate control intervention. (Source: Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice)

Take Back Control of Your Pet’s Health

Al Sears, MD Natural Remedies — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:03:26 +0100

Pets are not living longer, healthier lives. Surprised? It’s true. Our pets are simply taking longer to die from chronic disease and poor health. And for many animals that process starts very early in life. The reasons are simple. Part of the reason is that we believe the blatant lie that processed pet food equals good nutrition, and we load our pets up with toxins. The result is the chronic diseases we see today in increasingly younger animals. Illness starts with signs we mistake as “seasonal” or normal. Maybe your pet gets “hot spots” and rashes during the summer. Or has chronically smelly ears and runny eyes. Or has teeth covered in tarter and breath that could stop an elephant in its tracks. These are not signs of good health! When you understand what good health really is a...

The summer issue of U+ magazine is out now

Terrence Higgins Trust — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:51:02 +0100

The latest issue of U+, THT’s lifestyle magazine for gay men living with HIV, is now out. Alongside all the regular features on how to keep well when it comes to diet, fitness and treatment options, issue 5 focuses on gearing men up for the summer season. From picking out gay friendly destinations, to sorting out travel insurance, U+ has lots of tips and advice to make sure you have a holiday to remember. The magazine also looks in depth at the pros and cons for men who are thinking about whether to tell people about their HIV status. Chris Sandford from the Mortimer Market Centre looks as some of the barriers to this. And two HIV positive men, Mark and Marcel, tell us how they made the decision about disclosing, and the impact that it had on their lives. Alongside regular features on di...

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Biosynthesis and Therapeutic Properties of Lavandula Essential Oil Constituents

Planta Medica — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 05:38:51 +0100

This article provides a review of recent developments related to the biosynthesis and medicinal properties of lavender essential oils.[...]© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New YorkGet connected:Table of contents | Abstract | Full text (Source: Planta Medica)

Effects of Various Fragrant Ingredients on Desmopressin-induced Fluid Retention in Mice.

Yakugaku Zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100

In this study, the effects of four types of fragrant ingredients (d-limonene, piperitone, alpha-pinene, and cinnamaldehyde) were examined in a mouse model of fluid retention. The mice were loaded with water after treatment with desmopressin (an antidiuretic hormone). In addition, zingerone, a pungent component of ginger which is considered to be effective in the treatment of edema, was examined. Moreover, their effects were compared with those of furosemide, a representative diuretic. Among the five types of fragrant ingredients examined, all except for cinnamaldehyde increased the urine volume in the fluid retention mouse model when administered at a dose of 100 mg/kg. In particular, d-limonene and zingerone significantly increased the urine volume. Thus the effects of these two ingredien...

Aromatherapy May Make Good Scents, But Does It Work?

NCCAM Featured Content — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 21:11:00 +0100

An investigation on how aromatherapy affects health failed to show any improvement in immune status, wound healing, or pain control among people exposed to two scents. But results of the randomized controlled trial, published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology, did show that lemon (considered to be a stimulant) appeared to enhance mood, while lavender (thought to be a relaxant) had no effect on mood. (Source: NCCAM Featured Content)

The Role of Aromatherapy in Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing — Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common complaint following surgery. Complications related to PONV can cause prolonged post anesthesia care unit (PACU) stays, unanticipated hospital admissions, surgical complications and psychological discomfort. A nursing PACU evidenced- based practice committee investigated the use of aromatherapy as a complimentary treatment for PONV. Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is currently being used by PACU nurses at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) as an aromatherapy treatment for PONV without the evidence to support its use. Aromatherapy is not part of the standard PONV guidelines. An evidenced-based review was conducted regarding the use of aromatherapy in PONV. The search produced meta-analyses and randomized control trials (RCT's).The Clin...

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Aromatherapy to ease labour pains

Nursing in Practice — Fri, 21 May 2010 13:42:46 +0100

Women in labour are being offered relaxation and massage with essential oils by midwives trained in aromatherapy at North Bristol NHS Trust (Source: Nursing in Practice)

Anxiolytic Effect of Aromatherapy Massage in Patients with Breast Cancer

Medscape Hematology-Oncology Headlines — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:43:22 +0100

Can aromatherapy massage influence psychologic and immunologic parameters in breast cancer patients? Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM (Source: Medscape Hematology-Oncology Headlines)

Does Aromatherapy Offer Health Benefits? Unlikely

U.S. News - Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:44:00 +0100

Studies of whether soothing odors affect people’s experience of pain reveal that they don’t. (Source: U.S. News - Health)

How to Get Rid of Head Lice Naturally

NaturalNews.com — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) Head lice are easily transmitted by head-to head contact or by sharing combs, brushes or caps. Infestations are common in school children but this is not an indication of poor hygiene or dirty hair. Lice lay their eggs along the base of the hair shaft, close to the scalp. Conventional cures include the application of strong smelling insecticides or shampoos which can be harmful to health, especially in the case of small children. Go the natural route in preventing and treating head lice infestations.Preventing Head LiceDo not think a problem with lice will not affect you or your family. Inspect your child's head regularly for lice and nits, paying particular attention to the hairline, neck and areas above the ears. If there is an outbreak at your child's school, be even more ...

Advertising: Stress Relief Online, Aromatherapy by Mail

NYT > Health — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:17:03 +0100

The online program, called Upliv, offers stress analysis, weekly sessions that teach relaxation strategies and toiletries with scents. (Source: NYT > Health)

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Evaluating a complementary therapies clinic: Outcomes and relationships.

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Further research is necessary to confirm improvements in client quality of life and to establish causes. More research is needed to examine the client-therapist relationship and treatment outcome. PMID: 20129407 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice)

Neuropharmacology of the essential oil of bergamot.

Fitoterapia — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, the data yielded so far contribute to our understanding of the mode of action of this phytocomplex on nerve tissue under normal and pathological experimental conditions and provide a rational basis for the practical use of BEO in complementary medicine. The opening of a wide venue for future research and translation into clinical settings is also envisaged. The essential oil of bergamot, likewise other essential oils, is used in aromatherapy, a widely diffused complementary medicine to minimize symptoms of stress-induced anxiety and mild mood disorders and cancer pain though the rational basis for such applications awaits to be discovered. In vivo and in vitro results indicate that BEO is able to interfere with basic mechanisms finely tuning synaptic plasticity under physiol...

Dr. Hyla Cass releases new audio course to enhance women's health

NaturalNews.com — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) On the heels of her popular book, 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health, Dr. Hyla Cass, M.D. has just launched her new 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health Audio Course, featuring 9 audio CDs, her "8 Weeks" book and an accompanying workbook.It's all about teaching women how to restore their energy, enhance their well-being and reclaim their health using all-natural, doctor-approved health strategies.In this new audio course, Dr. Hyla Cass guides you step-by-step through things you need to know to transform your health starting right now. Here's a sampling of what you'll learn in this remarkable new audio course:• The 10 most important areas of women's health - how to score yourself across these 10 areas to discover where you can make the most improvements in the shortest time.• Step-by-st...

Interventions for hemiplegic shoulder pain: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

Disability and Rehabilitation — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:08:02 +0100

Conclusions. Although five interventions were used for managing hemiplegic shoulder pain, their effects were limited in the context of trials. PMID: 20055567 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Disability and Rehabilitation)

Help! I've fallen for a much younger man

Guardian Unlimited Science — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:55:02 +0100

The Guardian's Evolutionary Agony Aunt Carole Jahme shines the cold light of evolutionary psychology on readers' problemsHe's young and fitFrom Nicola, age 37I began a bit of fun with a much younger man a while ago, and six months later we are both as keen as ever. Although I don't necessarily feel I'm looking for a partner for life, he's probably one of the most amazing boyfriends I've ever had. The thing that makes him most special to me is that he places feelings and being caring higher than anything else, and I have spent many years struggling with my background of an over-intellectual, under-emotionally-functional family and gone through a slow painful process of re-learning emotionally. I don't know if I am more rattled about our ages than I want to be (I am 37, he is 22). Would I b...

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Aromatherapy for the Holidays

Psychology Today — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Use your nose to reduce holiday stress. (Source: Psychology Today)

Effects of inhaled Linalool in anxiety, social interaction and aggressive behavior in mice

Phytomedicine — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Aromatherapy uses essential oils (EOs) for several medical purposes, including relaxation. The association between the use of aromas and a decrease in anxiety could be a valuable instrument in managing anxiety in an ever increasing anxiogenic daily life style. Linalool is a monoterpene commonly found as the major volatile component of EOs in several aromatic plant species. Adding to previously reported sedative effects of inhaled linalool, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inhaled linalool on anxiety, aggressiveness and social interaction in mice. Additionally, we investigated the effects of inhaled linalool on the acquisition phase of a step-down memory task in mice. Inhaled linalool showed anxiolytic properties in the light/dark test, increased social inte...

Can Smells Induce Sleep?

About Sleep Disorders — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

When one is facing the desperation of another sleepless night, it may be natural to wonder if treating insomnia is possible with the use of aromatherapy. The human brain is an extraordinary thing, and it is not uncommon for us to strongly link memories with our senses, including smells. For example, a whiff of a familiar perfume may bring your grandmother promptly to mind. Any number of other scents may cause memories and feelings to envelop you. Are there certain scents that can likewise induce sleep? Find out more. Follow me on Twitter to receive notice of all the latest updates to this site.Can Smells Induce Sleep? originally appeared on About.com Sleep Disorders on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 13:15:57.Permalink | Comment | Email this (Source: About Sleep Disorders)

The use of aromatherapy to treat behavioural problems in dementia

Neurological Conditions Specialist Library — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:31:29 +0100

A structured abstract written by CRD reviewers. The abstract was published on 28 October 2009 from an original article published in 2008. (Source: Neurological Conditions Specialist Library)

Phytotherapy in neonatology: A systematic literature review

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:39 +0100

Conclusion: Indication, study design and study power of these publications were quite heterogeneous. Data about aromatherapy are most promising. Phytotherapy is used very commonly and parents ask for it frequently, studies are necessary to fulfill the academic and economic demands of this part of CAM. This Literature review shows that there is a lack of sufficient data. (Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine)

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It's Time to Be SAD

Psychology Today Depression Center — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:07:48 +0100

There's no mistaking that our lovely planet has now wobbled its seasonal wobble and tilted those of us in the northern hemisphere away from the sun until the winter solstice passes, and we wobble back again.All that to say, it is DANG DARK OUTSIDE!For most people, the shortening of days is an annoying but normal part of winter, and they light a little candle and just deal. But for some of us, the lack of light leads to decreased serotonin production, a slowing of bodily functions and a steady descent into a state of depression. This condition is called Seasonal Affective Disorder, bittersweetly acronymed SAD.The Psychology Today website states:Seasonal affective disorder (also called SAD) is a type of depression that follows the seasons. The most common type of SAD is called winter depress...

Reprint of: aromatherapy and massage for antenatal anxiety: its effect on the fetus.

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bastard J, Tiran D Antenatal anxiety has been linked to maternal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis changes which can affect fetal development and may have lasting effects on the child's psychological development. Treatments for anxiety have hitherto focused on psychotherapy techniques or antidepressant drugs but these do not always effect long-term improvement. Aromatherapy and massage have successfully been used to produce significantly greater improvement in reduction of anxiety. Midwives may highlight anxiety in some of the mothers in their care and can incorporate the holistic approach of aromatherapy and massage into their practice. However, further research is required to establish the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of aromatherapy and massage in the antenatal period....

Alternative methods of conservative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis.

Ortopedia, Traumatologia, Rehabilitacja — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Zarzycka M, Rożek K, Zarzycki M Summary Scoliosis is a deformity of the spine known since Hippocrates times. The value of certain methods of conservative treatment remains controversial. Some of them have only a psychological value both for the physician and his or her caregivers. Based on current literature and the Scoliosis Research Society Report of Alternative Methods of Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis, we describe the effectiveness of various alternative methods, such as exercise, Dobosiewicz technique, Karski method, SEAS 02, acupuncture, Alexander technique, aromatherapy, ayurveda, ASCO treatment, biofeedback, chiropractic, Yoga, Feldenkrais method, Pilates method, massage therapy, rolfing, magnet therapy, surface electrical stimulation, PNF, Copes system, and b...

Natural remedies for acne

NaturalNews.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) Acne sucks. But you don't need antibiotics or harsh chemicals to treat it. In addition to altering your diet so that you consume fewer acne-producing foods (dairy products and fried foods, mostly), there are some effective natural remedies that are also useful for clearing up your skin.Below, we've compiled a few of these recommendations from some of the top authors in natural health. Enjoy this short collection, and feel free to share it with others (please give appropriate credit to the original author as well as this NaturalNews page, thank you).Natural remedies for acneBrazilian school kids have acne. There's far less acne in Kenya, Zambia, Malaysia, and rural Japan than is common in Western societies. But if there was any doubt left about the diet-acne connection it shou...

Effectiveness of the Essential Oils Lavender and Ginger in Promoting Children's Comfort in a Perianesthesia Setting

Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This randomized, controlled, blinded study examined the effectiveness of an aromatherapy intervention on the reduction of children's distress in a perianesthesia setting. The sample included children with and without developmental disabilities (n = 94). Subjects in the intervention group received an aromatherapy intervention of lavender and ginger essential oils. The control group received a placebo intervention of jojoba oil. Distress was measured at two times: before induction and in the PACU, using the Faces, Legs, Arms, Cry and Consolability (FLACC) scale. The mean distress level was lower for the children in the essential oil group, but the effect was not statistically significant (P = .055). Parents' responses to survey questions about satisfaction with aromatherapy did not differ be...

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Effectiveness of the Essential Oils Lavender and Ginger in Promoting Children's Comfort in a Perianesthesia Setting.

Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Nord D, Belew J This randomized, controlled, blinded study examined the effectiveness of an aromatherapy intervention on the reduction of children's distress in a perianesthesia setting. The sample included children with and without developmental disabilities (n = 94). Subjects in the intervention group received an aromatherapy intervention of lavender and ginger essential oils. The control group received a placebo intervention of jojoba oil. Distress was measured at two times: before induction and in the PACU, using the Faces, Legs, Arms, Cry and Consolability (FLACC) scale. The mean distress level was lower for the children in the essential oil group, but the effect was not statistically significant (P = .055). Parents' responses to survey questions about satisfaction with a...

Complementary and alternative medicine use by otolaryngology patients: a paradigm for practitioners in all surgical specialties

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:03:53 +0100

The objective is to study the prevalence and pattern of CAM use among adult and paediatric ENT patients in a UK teaching hospital. A cross-sectional study was done by sending anonymous questionnaire to all outpatient and elective inpatients over a 3-month period. Response rate was 73% (1,789/2,440). Prominent demographics: female, married, over-50 s. Sixty percent had used CAM, 35% in last year. Most common herbs: cod liver oil (n = 481), garlic (n = 255), cranberry (n = 224); non-herbal: massage (n = 287), acupuncture (n = 233), aromatherapy (n = 170). Most commonly cited reasons for using CAM: general health, enhanced immunity and prevention/treatment of common illnesses like the common cold, asthma and bodily aches and...

Dr. Oz Challenges Status Quo of Healing

ABC News: Health — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:01:29 +0100

Renowned surgeon on the healing power of song, aromatherapy, meditation & more. (Source: ABC News: Health)

Dr. Oz on Complementary Medicine: 'Challenge the Status Quo'

ABC News: Health — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:25:42 +0100

Renowned surgeon on the healing power of song, aromatherapy, meditation & more. (Source: ABC News: Health)

In Vitro Fertilization Less Successful With Alternative Fertility Treatments

ScienceDaily Headlines — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 06:00:00 +0100

The common belief is that it won't hurt to try alternative fertility treatments before reverting to in vitro fertilization (IVF). But a new study finds that the success of IVF treatment is 30 percent lower among women who have used alternative medicine. The researchers included over 700 IVF users over a 12-month period. Women who had first tried a combination of alternative treatments, such as reflexology, acupuncture, or herbal and aromatherapy, had significantly lower pregnancy rates after IVF treatment. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

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Efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine therapies in relieving cancer pain: a systematic review

NeLM - Pain control — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Source: DARE Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine CRD Summary: The review concluded there was some evidence of short term benefit for the relief of cancer pain with hypnosis, imagery, support groups, acupuncture and healing touch but, due to the paucity of rigorous trials, no interventions can be recommended. The reliability of the authors' cautious conclusions is uncertain due to lack of reporting of review methods and poor quality evidence. [The CAM therapies in the included studies included acupuncture, music, psychological support, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), hypnosis, relaxation and guided imagery, HESA-A herbal remedy, Ai-Tong-Ping capsules, massage, aromatherapy and healing touch/Reiki. ] CRD Commentary: Inclusion criteria were clearly defined for ...

In vitro fertilization less successful with alternative fertility treatments

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:00:00 +0100

(Faculty of 1000: Biology and Medicine) The common belief is that it won't hurt to try alternative fertility treatments before reverting to in vitro fertilization (IVF). But a new study from Denmark finds that the success of IVF treatment is 30 percent lower among women who have used alternative medicine. The researchers included over 700 IVF users over a 12-month period. Women who had first tried a combination of alternative treatments, such as reflexology, acupuncture, or herbal and aromatherapy, had significantly lower pregnancy rates after IVF treatment. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Aromatherapy midwife struck off

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:23:32 +0100

A midwife is struck off after giving a pregnant woman in labour aromatherapy oils which she mistakenly drank. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

Neuroregulation of Human Nasal Mucosa

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Multiple subsets of nociceptive, parasympathetic, and sympathetic nerves innervate human nasal mucosa. These play carefully coordinated roles in regulating glandular, vascular, and other processes. These functions are vital for cleaning and humidifying ambient air before it is inhaled into the lungs. The recent identification of distinct classes of nociceptive nerves with unique patterns of transient receptor potential sensory receptor ion channel proteins may account for the polymodal, chemo- and mechanicosensitivity of many trigeminal neurons. Modulation of these families of proteins, excitatory and inhibitory autoreceptors, and combinations of neurotransmitters introduces a new level of complexity and subtlety to nasal innervation. These findings may provide a rational basis for respons...

Terrence Higgins Trust opens a new HIV and sexual health centre in Nottingham

Terrence Higgins Trust — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:05:54 +0100

On 30 July sexual health and HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) will officially open its new centre in Nottingham. The charity has been based in the city since February 2008 from its old site in Lace Market. THT’s new centre on 23 Barker Gate, which is funded by NHS Nottingham City, NHS Nottinghamshire County, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council will offer a wider range of services to support people living with HIV and help prevent the rising rates of sexual ill-health. New services include a weekly clinic offering rapid HIV testing and screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This free and confidential service will run every Friday from 4-7pm. The HIV test involves taking a finger-prick blood test which is analysed straight away, with the result...

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What Is Aromatherapy? The Theory Behind Aromatherapy

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:00:00 +0100

Aromatherapy is a type of alternative medicine that uses essential oils and other aromatic plant compounds which are aimed at improving a person's health or mood. Many consider this type of treatment as unscientific and wishful thinking - however, scientific evidence of its effectiveness is growing. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

The use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients attending a general otolaryngology clinic: can we afford to ignore it?

American Journal of Otolaryngology — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Despite concerns over CAM efficacy, safety, and cost effectiveness, use of CAM is popular among patients attending an ENT clinic. Their use is not generally related to their presenting illness. Otolaryngologists should be aware of current trends in CAM use when managing patients, including possible interactions with other medication. (Source: American Journal of Otolaryngology)

Clinical indications and perceived effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine in departments of obstetrics in Germany: A questionnaire study

European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: CAM methods were widely offered despite the lack of evidence of effectiveness or information on adverse consequences. In Germany, including CAM in the mandatory national quality assurance measures and perinatal surveys would provide valuable information; CAM use elsewhere merits further study. (Source: European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology)

Aromatherapy in nursing practice.

Australian Nursing Journal — Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Potts J PMID: 19588723 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Australian Nursing Journal)

Agricultural Aromatherapy: Lavender Oil As Natural Herbicide

ScienceDaily Headlines — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:00:00 +0100

Could essential oils extracted from lavender be used as a natural herbicide to prevent weed growth among crops? Research carried out in Italy suggests the answer may be yes. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

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8 Weeks to Vibrant Health - A Breakthrough Guide to Women's Health by Dr. Hyla Cass M.D. (book promo)

NaturalNews.com — Wed, 20 May 2009 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) I've met many doctors over the years who claim to be experts on women's health. Most are well informed about conventional pharmaceutical medicine, but they remain hopelessly uninformed about natural medicine. Rarely do I meet any physician who has commanding knowledge over both realms, and even when I do, virtually none of them truly grasp the key challenges in women's health.Today, I'd like to introduce you to one of the rare exceptions in our world of medicine... a remarkable and accomplished woman whom I have come to respect as the most well-informed doctor on women's health I've ever met. Her name is Dr. Hyla Cass, M.D., and she's the co-author of a newly-updated book called 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health.This book, which we're publishing in-house in cooperation with Dr. Hyla ...

Clinical inquiries. Do nonmedicated topicals relieve childhood eczema?

The Journal of Family Practice — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Yates JE, Phifer JB, Flake D Emollients are effective first-line treatment to decrease symptoms of eczema and reduce the need to use steroids in children. Tar preparations work, but compliance may be limited. Gamma-linoleic acid preparations, borage oil, and evening primrose oil show efficacy in small studies. MAS063DP cream (Atopiclair) is effective. Chamomile and bathing in acidic hot spring water may be effective, but these treatments have not been adequately evaluated. Wet wrap dressings may be effective but increase the risk of skin infections. Hamamelis distillate creams and massage with essential oils/aromatherapy are ineffective. PMID: 19442393 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: The Journal of Family Practice)

Spoonful of snake oil helps medicine go down

IOL: Health — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:50:35 +0100

If you think aromatherapy is about as beneficial to your health as stubbing your toe, you might be prompted to think again. (Source: IOL: Health)

Lifestyle Tips for Dealing with Depression

Psych Central — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:18:24 +0100

If you are affected by depression, you are not “just” sad or upset; you have a condition that involves intense feelings of persistent sadness, helplessness and hopelessness, together with physical problems such as sleeplessness, loss of energy, and physical aches and pains. Depression is an illness and you need support to help fight it. Treatments can involve a variety of different approaches including antidepressants and psychological therapies. But there are also many self-help techniques you can use to complement professional treatment. Options include attending a self-help group, making changes to your diet, improving your sleep habits and learning relaxation techniques. Research on acupuncture, herbal medicines (including St. John’s Wort), and aromatherapy suggests t...

'The opposite of science'

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:01:00 +0100

BSc courses in homeopathy are closing. Is it a victory for campaigners, or just the end of the Blair/Bush era?Can a blog force a university to close a degree course? David Colquhoun, the University College London pharmacology professor behind the "Improbable science" blog would like to think so. Since 2003, Colquhoun has used his blog, along with freedom of information requests, to draw attention to universities running courses in complementary and alternative medicine (Cam). He argues that the treatments are unproven, degree courses unscientific, and universities wrong to award students bachelor's or master's of science qualifications."It's particularly offensive that they're called BSc," he says. "You have to address the question: 'Is it worth lying to patients to get that placebo effect...

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Anxiolytic Effect of Aromatherapy Massage in Patients with Breast Cancer

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100

We examined how aromatherapy massage influenced psychologic and immunologic parameters in 12 breast cancer patients in an open semi-comparative trial. We compared the results 1 month before aromatherapy massage as a waiting control period with those during aromatherapy massage treatment and 1 month after the completion of aromatherapy sessions. The patients received a 30 min aromatherapy massage twice a week for 4 weeks (eight times in total). The results showed that anxiety was reduced in one 30 min aromatherapy massage in State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) test and also reduced in eight sequential aromatherapy massage sessions in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) test. Our results further suggested that aromatherapy massage ameliorated the immunologic state. Further inve...

A Review on the Effects of Aromatherapy for Patients with Depressive Symptoms

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:58:23 +0100

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine , Vol. 0, No. 0: 1-9. (Source: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine)

Massage therapy for cancer palliation and supportive care: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials

Supportive Care in Cancer — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:47:18 +0100

Conclusion The evidence is, therefore, encouraging but not compelling. The subject seems to warrant further investigations which avoid the limitations of previous studies. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Review ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00520-008-0569-zAuthors E. Ernst, Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth 25 Victoria Park Road Exeter EX2 4NT UK Journal Supportive Care in CancerOnline ISSN 1433-7339Print ISSN 0941-4355 (Source: Supportive Care in Cancer)

Emergency Department Waiting Room Stress: Can Music or Aromatherapy Improve Anxiety Scores?

Pediatric Emergency Care — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:43:31 +0100

Page: 836DOI: 10.1097/PEC.0b013e31818ea04cAuthors: Holm, Lydia MD; Fitzmaurice, Laura MD (Source: Pediatric Emergency Care)

What methods don't work to reduce stress

L.A. Times - Health — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:48:34 +0100

Aromatherapy and drinking may offer some relief, but they don't help the immune system deal with pressure. Clinical studies have convinced many medical experts on stress that some techniques do reduce stress, and other techniques -- such as yoga, massage and helping others -- probably work, as well, they surmise. Yoga, for example, emphasizes breathing, massage activates the relaxing properties of the parasympathetic nervous system, and helping others gets people's minds off their troubles and lifts mood. But researchers don't have enough data to be sure. (Source: L.A. Times - Health)

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Aromatherapy-trained Nurses Find that Scents Make Sense

NurseZone.com Featured Stories — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:20:59 +0100

Many doctors and nurses are finding that aromatherapy treatments do have a legitimate role in modern medicine. At Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital in Texas, for instance, nurses have learned to tap the healing art of aromatherapy to lower patients’ stress levels and their own. (Source: NurseZone.com Featured Stories)

Aromatherapy in nursing and mental health care

Contemporary Nurse — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Contemporary Nurse 30(1): 69-75 Abstract There is well documented evidence for the increasing and widespread use of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of symptoms of both physical and mental disorders within Western populations. This paper aims to provide a focused review of recent literature on the use of one of these therapies, namely aromatherapy, in nursing and mental health care of people suffering from anxiety and depressive disorders. The evidence base for the efficacy of aromatherapy used to treat these conditions remains poor with a particular paucity of methodologically rigorous studies. However, there are some promising results which suggest that further research is warranted to investigate the potential of essential oils in treating anxiety, depression and ...

Aromatherapy Massage Affects Menopausal Symptoms in Korean Climacteric Women: A Pilot-Controlled Clinical Trial

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100

This study investigated the effects of aromatherapy massage on menopausal symptoms in Korean climacteric women. Kupperman's menopausal index was used to compare an experimental group of 25 climacteric women with a wait-listed control group of 27 climacteric women. Aromatherapy was applied topically to subjects in the experimental group in the form of massage on the abdomen, back and arms using lavender, rose geranium, rose and jasmine in almond and primrose oils once a week for 8 weeks (eight times in total). The experimental group reported a significantly lower total menopausal index than wait-listed controls (P < 0.05). There were also significant intergroup differences in subcategories such as vasomotor, melancholia, arthralgia and myalgia (all P < 0.05). These findings suggest th...

Massage for symptom relief in patients with cancer: systematic review.

Journal of Advanced Nursing — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 07:49:05 +0100

CONCLUSION: Further well-designed large trials with longer follow-up periods are needed to be able to draw firm conclusions about the efficacy and effectiveness of massage for cancer patients. PMID: 18727744 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Journal of Advanced Nursing)

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Complementary therapy use by persons with multiple sclerosis: Benefits and research priorities.

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:19:06 +0100

Authors: Esmonde L, Long AF People with multiple sclerosis (MS) are commonly actively involved in self-care, with many accessing complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to help in symptom management. To provide increased insight into benefits from CAM use and service user ideas over research priorities, a two-part study, involving a questionnaire and interactive workshop, was undertaken with attendees at a national Congress of the MS Trust in the UK. The six most used therapies were reflexology, massage, yoga, relaxation and meditation, acupuncture and aromatherapy. Each was rated by a quarter to two-fifths as 'extremely helpful'. Insight into the nature of the therapeutic benefit was provided in user comments. Despite the self-selected nature of the sample, the findings point to ...

Focus group interviews: How aromatherapists feel about changing their practice through undertaking a randomised controlled trial?

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:18:58 +0100

Authors: Kyle G, Marks-Maran D In 2003/2007 a randomised controlled trial (RCT) was undertaken into the efficacy of aromatherapy in reducing levels of anxiety amongst palliative care patients. In the study patients were randomised into one of three treatment groups. The participating aromatherapists treated patients according to a strict research protocol. As the trial commenced, the therapists indicated a concern about a potential loss of their holistic principles while undertaking the trial. These genuine concerns formed the impetus to undertake a qualitative study to illuminate the aromatherapists' experience of changing their practice. Findings and discussions are through the themes that emerged. It appears that participating in a RCT does impact on aromatherapists' holistic practi...

Differences Between the Physiologic and Psychologic Effects of Aromatherapy Body Treatment

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:42:11 +0100

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine , Vol. 0, No. 0: 1-7. Abstract Background: The wide use of herbal plants and essential oils for the prevention and treatment of diseases dates back to ancient times. However, the scientific basis for the beneficial effects of such plants and oils has not been precisely ... (Source: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine)

Aromatherapy: six classes for a cosmetics addict

Telegraph Health — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:01:00 +0100

Evelyn Evans learns to blend her own essential oils. (Source: Telegraph Health)

Choose Nature Instead of Prozac for PMS and PMDD

NaturalNews.com — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) Thanks to a recent question in the Ask Tony Isaacs Curezone forum, I discovered that it appears to be common to prescribe the dangerous drug Prozac for PMS -- at least in the United States, that is. Not only that, but it is evidently often prescribed not by the Psychiatrists who successfully lobbied the FDA for approval over the objections of the WHO (World Health Organization), but by ordinary ob/gyn doctors who are making diagnosis of a specially created condition the psychiatrists came up with to justify prescribing it: Pre Menstrual Distress Disorder, or PMDD.The initial question asked in the forum was :"Went to the ob/gyn yesterday. I am well into premenopause and he diagnosed me with PMDD. No doubt my PMS is getting worse as I get older. He wants me to start on Prozac f...

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Table of Contents for Volume: 12 Issue: 2

Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 05:00:00 +0100

This article describes Web sites that provide information about good oral health practices, prevention, treatment options, clinical trials, special populations, and curriculum resources for teachers. Article: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association http://www.alsa.org Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), most commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy. The ALS Association's national Web site provides comprehensive information on a wide variety of topics pertinent to ALS patients, caregivers, family members, and health care professionals. This well-organized, easy-to-navigate site is an excellent resource for anyone seeking to learn about ALS. Article: Cen...

Scientific basis behind traditional practice of application of "shoe-smell" in controlling epileptic seizures in the eastern countries.

Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Scientific basis behind traditional practice of application of "shoe-smell" in controlling epileptic seizures in the eastern countries. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2008 Mar 17; Authors: Jaseja H Epilepsy has been known for thousands of years and has been subjected to various forms of conventional and non-conventional therapies including a non-pharmacological conservative treatment known as aromatherapy, ever since. One commonly practiced form of aromatherapy that persists as an immediate first-aid measure even today in some parts of developing countries in the East is the application of "shoe-smell" during an epileptic attack. The questionable remedial role has intrigued neuro-scientists at least in these parts of the world. This brief paper attempts to provide an insight to the bas...

Aromatherapy Sniffs Down the Garden Path

MedPage Today Primary Care — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:47:29 +0100

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Aromatherapy was no better than distilled water in relieving pain, boosting immune function, or altering stress hormone responses, researchers here said. (Source: MedPage Today Primary Care)

Aromatherapy May Improve Mood But Will Not Make You Better

Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine News From Medical News Today — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:00:00 +0100

A recent US study on a small group of people found that aromatherapy oils had no physiological effect although they may improve mood for some people.The study is the work of researchers at Ohio State University and appears in the April issue of the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology. (Source: Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine News From Medical News Today)

Doubts cast over aromatherapy in new study

News-Medical News Feed — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 06:50:00 +0100

According to new research while aromatherapy has a positive effect on mood it does not offer any other health benefits. (Source: News-Medical News Feed)

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Aromatherapy and pain relief?

News-Medical News Feed — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:02:00 +0100

Aromatherapy Doesn't Fix Body, Study Says

WDSU.com - Health — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:44:13 +0100

Researchers try but can't find the body reacting to pleasant smells during stressful times. (Source: WDSU.com - Health)

Aromatherapy May Make You Feel Good, But It Won't Make You Well

Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine News From Medical News Today — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 08:00:00 +0100

One of the most comprehensive investigations done to date on aromatherapy failed to show any improvement in either immune status, wound healing or pain control among people exposed to two often touted scents.While one of two popular aromas touted by alternative medicine practitioners lemon did appear to enhance moods positively among study subjects, the other lavender had no effect on reported mood, based on three psychological tests. (Source: Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine News From Medical News Today)

Aromatherapy May Make You Feel Good, But It Won't Make You Well, Study Shows

ScienceDaily Headlines — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 07:50:57 +0100

One of the most comprehensive investigations done to date on aromatherapy failed to show any improvement in either immune status, wound healing or pain control among people exposed to two often-touted scents. While one of two popular aromas touted by alternative medicine practitioners -- lemon -- did appear to enhance moods positively among study subjects, the other -- lavender -- had no effect on reported mood, based on three psychological tests. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Postoperative Nausea and Aromatherapy.

Clinical Nurse Specialist — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 08:49:01 +0100

Page: 108DOI: 10.1097/01.NUR.0000311789.38981.daAuthors: Eads, Robin BSN, RN (Source: Clinical Nurse Specialist)

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Massage in patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy reduces serum cortisol and prolactin

Psycho-Oncology — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrated that in isolated haematological oncology patients, a significant reduction in cortisol could be safely achieved through massage, with associated improvement in psychological well-being. The implications are discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: Psycho-Oncology)

Regulatory body set up for therapies such as homeopathy and aromatherapy

NeLM Headline News — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0100

The Prince of Wales’s Foundation for Integrated Health, commissioned by the Department of Health, has established a body to regulate a range of complementary therapies such as homeopathy and aromatherapy - the Natural HealthCare Council. Therefore, those who practice these therapies will now be able to register with the new governing body; however, membership will be voluntary, but consumers seeking treatment will be reassured by the knowledge that practitioners who have registered with the body will have certain qualifications and experience. (Source: NeLM Headline News)

Regulation plans for homeopathy

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 20:53:43 +0100

A new body is set to regulate a range of complementary therapies such as homeopathy and aromatherapy. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

Britain to govern alternative medicine

United Press International - Health Business — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 19:39:15 +0100

A new council backed by the prince of Wales will regulate British practitioners of aromatherapy, homeopathy and other alternative therapies. (Source: United Press International - Health Business)

Holistic Foundations of Aromatherapy for Nursing.

Holistic Nursing Practice — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 01:26:41 +0100

Page: 3DOI: 10.1097/01.HNP.0000306321.03590.32Authors: Smith, Marlaine C. PhD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN; Kyle, Laraine MS, RN, CMT, CAT (Source: Holistic Nursing Practice)

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Effect of flavour components in lemon essential oil on physical or psychological stress

Stress and Health — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:00:00 +0100

This study was designed to assess the effects of flavour components in lemon essential oil on physical and psychological stress. In this evaluation, acute cold stress and communication box techniques were used to apply stress after intraperitoneal administration of essential oil components such as limonene, [ggr]-terpinene and citral. Serum corticosterone and monoamines in brain tissues were then determined. In the present study, it found the presence of perillic acid, a limonene metabolite, at concentrations of 1.5-2.5 [mgr]g/mL in serum and 0.4-0.6 [mgr]g/g in brain tissue collected 3 h after administration. The research also showed that the lemon components R-limonene, citral and [ggr]-terpinene inhibited elevation of serum corticosterone levels and cerebral monoamine levels. S-limonene...

The use of aromatherapy to treat behavioural problems in dementia

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 04:00:00 +0100

Behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD) are common and distressing to both patients and carers. The use of antipsychotics to treat BPSD is associated with a high burden of side-effects and alternative strategies are required. Aromatherapy is an option that has been recommended for use in dementia. We aimed to review the evidence supporting the use of aromatherapy in BPSD.We searched Medline, Cochrane and EMBASE for randomised controlled trials of aromatherapy in patients with dementia.Eleven prospective randomised studies of aromatherapy in BPSD were identified. The aromatherapy oils tested, method of administration and outcome measures used varied widely across the studies. Most of the studies included very small numbers of patients and were designed in such a way that m...

Aromatherapy Massages With Music Dramatically Reduced Stress Levels In Nurses

ScienceDaily Headlines — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:00:00 +0100

Stress levels among emergency department nurses fell from 54 percent in summer and 65 percent in winter to just 8 percent after 15-minute aromatherapy massages with music. Researchers believe the initiative could reduce anxiety and increase job satisfaction in a wide range of stressful workplace roles. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Giving Emergency Nurses Aromatherapy Massages With Music Dramatically Reduced Stress Levels

Anxiety News From Medical News Today — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 20:00:00 +0100

Nurses working in an accident and emergency department reported that their anxiety levels fell dramatically when they were given aromatherapy massages while listening to music, according to research in the September issue of the UK-based Journal of Clinical Nursing. Two 12-week alternative therapy sessions were provided over the course of a year. 86 nurses participated in the study, with 39 taking part in both the summer and winter sessions. [click link for full article] (Source: Anxiety News From Medical News Today)

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Fragrant Fix Soothes Work Stress

WebMD Health — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 05:00:00 +0100

New research from Australia shows that emergency room nurses -- who certainly have a high-stress job -- calmed down when they got brief aromatherapy massage sessions at work. (Source: WebMD Health)

Giving emergency nurses aromatherapy massages with music dramatically reduced stress levels

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100

Is there any evidence to support the use of the food supplement Lemon Balm as an anxiolyic?

NLH Question Answering Service — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 07:52:31 +0100

The 2006 SIGN guideline on dementia [1] has a section on aromatherapy. Although not as a food supplement it reports:"Few RCTs exploring the use of aromatherapy in people with dementia were identified. (Source: NLH Question Answering Service)

Expectancies, not aroma, explain impact of lavender aromatherapy on psychophysiological indices of relaxation in young healthy women.

British Journal of Health Psychology — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100

ConclusionsThe findings imply that the previous associations of lavender aroma with assisted relaxation may have been influenced by expectancy biases, and that the relevant expectancies are easily manipulable. PMID: 17845737 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: British Journal of Health Psychology)

The effect of aromatherapy massage with music on the stress and anxiety levels of emergency nurses: comparison between summer and winter

Journal of Clinical Nursing — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 09:52:56 +0100

Journal of Clinical Nursing Volume 16, Issue 9, Page 1695-1703, Sep 2007. cooke m, holzhauser k, jones m, davis c & finucane j (2007) Journal of Clinical Nursing 16, 1695–1703The effect of aromatherapy massage with music on the stress and anxiety levels of emergency nurses: comparison between summer and winterAims and objectives... (Source: Journal of Clinical Nursing)

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New Herbs at a Glance: Bitter Orange

NCCAM Featured Content — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:20:47 +0100

The bitter orange tree is native to eastern Africa and tropical Asia. Today, it is grown throughout the Mediterranean region and elsewhere, including California and Florida. Bitter orange oil is used in foods, cosmetics, and aromatherapy products. This fact sheet provides basic information about bitter orange--common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. (Source: NCCAM Featured Content)

Relaxation effects of lavender aromatherapy improve coronary flow velocity reserve in healthy men evaluated by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography.

International Journal of Cardiology — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Lavender aromatherapy reduced serum cortisol and improved CFVR in healthy men. These findings suggest that lavender aromatherapy has relaxation effects and may have beneficial acute effects on coronary circulation. PMID: 17689755 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: International Journal of Cardiology)

£523,000 a day on alternative medicine

Scotsman.com News - Health — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 23:05:05 +0100

PEOPLE in Britain will spend up to £191 million on complementary medicines such as herbal remedies and aromatherapy this year, a report revealed yesterday. (Source: Scotsman.com News - Health)

The effect of gender and ethnicity on children's attitudes and preferences for essential oils: a pilot study.

Explore — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Fitzgerald M, Culbert T, Finkelstein M, Green M, Johnson A, Chen S CONTEXT: Aromatherapy is frequently recommended for children but children's preferences for specific essential oils are not well documented. OBJECTIVE: To measure preferences of school aged children for essential oils based on gender and ethnicity. DESIGN: Descriptive study measuring children's responses to and preferences for selected essential oils. SETTING: Pediatric integrative medicine clinic in a Midwestern children's hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy school-age children of Latino (N = 39) and non-Latino Caucasian (NLC) (N = 48) ethnicity, 41.7% of the NLC group and 59.0% of the Latino Group were males. INTERVENTION: Participants smelled single essential oils, answered three forced choice questions and one ...