Aromatherapy Applications for Women’s Health

Anita Sowder, BSN RNC Tina Feir, BSN RN

Objectives

Review and introduce the history of medicinal plants and their use in healthcare.

Demonstrate the physiology and efficacy of essential oil use.

Explore the clinical use of essential oils in women’s health.

Define the cautions associated with the improper use of essential oils and fragrance oils.

The Earliest of Recorded History

5800 B.C. Iraq – 1975 skeleton found surrounded by plant extracts.

5500 B.C. Mesopotamia – Sumerians a matriarchal society of women healers left clay tablets with prescriptions, plant names, dosages, and preparations. Some pots found that suggested that they may have distilled oils.

Ancient Society

Between 2000-3000 B.C. Egypt manuscript Papyrus Ebers manuscript found Thebes. Indication for use in fragrant oils for healing embalming purifying and massage after bathing.

2800 B.C. China – 2 written texts The Great Herbal and the yellow emperor’s classic of internal medicine. In those were information on aromatic herbs.

Ancient Greece

500 B.C. Hippocrates – the way to health is to have an aromatic bath and a scented massage every day.

300 B.C. Theophrastus wrote inquiry into plants which describes the use of aromatics.

The Middle Ages

500-1500 A.D. Middle Ages – Plants were used to combat the European plague. Thieves Oil

525 A.D. Gregory the Great banned all Materail Medica believing aromatics were pagan and would heighten sexual pleasure.

Jewish women in the pre Christian era spiked wine with myrrh and frankincense to ease the pain of those being tortured.

13th Century Europe the crusaders brought exotic oils from the Middle East to Europe.

15th-19th Century

There were scholarly writings and evidence for using herbs and essential oils to treat many medical conditions.

Community and Native American Healers were skilled in using herbals.

1770 British parliament passed an act to protect men from the guiles of perfumed women who might trick them into matrimony as the witchcraft of scents could manipulate their mind.

19th Century - Perfume was a prosperous industry. The Materia Medica was published in 1882 which contained 22 official essences including chamomile, cinnamon, juniper, lavender, lemon, peppermint, and rosemary.

The 20th Century

The 20th century brought rise to more scientific research publication and use of herbals and essential oils. Doctors were routinely using in practice taking it from a community practice to a medical one.

Aromatherapy was even incorporated into physician prescriptions.

Modern Drug Development

Synthetic Copies of perfumes and aromatics began to appear and modern drug development dawned.

Willow bark became aspirin, foxglove became digitalis.

Despite research, essential oils and herbal medicine lost out to the profits of the synthetic drugs.

1930 partnership of Rockefeller in the US and Faben in Germany, the petrochemical pharmaceutical industry became a major economic and political force.

Following the Flexner report on the nation’s medical schools in 1910, paid for by the Carnegie Foundation, almost all homeopathic and naturopathic medical schools in the US were eradicated.

Herbal medicines, including the use of aromatics, were excluded from medical school curriculum.

Drug companies became the major underwriters of all medical colleges in the US.

Drug companies also became the major funders of American Medical Association and therefore 90% of all medical research.

Right now…

Healthcare expense

Move to the natural approach

Internet, pintrest, FaceBook,

Fear

Distrust

Application and use

Inhalation – sachet, inhaler

Baths

Rubs

Massage oils

Room sprays

Shea butter

Salve

Carrier oils

Essential oils are not very soluble in water.

It takes as much as 100lbs of raw material to produce 1 oz. of essential oil.

Oils are extremely concentrated and too potent to put directly on skin.

Diluting and essential oil in another vegetable based oil will make most oils safe for topical use

Vinegar

Witch-hazel or alcohol for room spray.

Olfaction

The message of an aroma is transmitted along axons of the receptor cells that join to parts of the olfactory nerve in the cerebrum.

The olfactory bulb is actually an appendage of the brain.

There is an immediate response to the smell on both a biochemical and an emotional level.

How does it work?

Even when administration is topical, some of the molecules will pervade the air and enter the nostrils passing directly to the brain to be perceived as an aroma.

The absorption of essential oil molecules through inhalation and the effect of fragrances on cerebral activity is not dependent on aroma perception.

Some of the molecules from the essential oil will travel to the lungs and into the alveoli.

Where does it go

The oil is absorbed into the body via the skin and Mucous membranes, or travels to the bloodstream from the alveoli in the lungs.

Because essential oils are fat-soluble they are easily absorbed into the cell membranes which are rich in lipids.

Here they may lodge into the membranes of leucocytes where they help regulate immune function.

Other parts of the oil will enter the bloodstream. Because the brain is so lipid rich, they are quicly and readily absorbed there and begin to affect the CNS.

Eventually some of the essential oil reaches the liver, muscle fibers and adipose tissue where it may be stored for slow release as this area has a slower blood flow.

excretion

As with any drugs, essential oils will be metabolized, detoxified, and eventually excreted.

Essential olis are excreted mainly by the kidneys and can be found in the urine.

Other constituents are expelled by respiration.

Others are utilized as cell energy.

Constituents with smaller molecules bind to plasma albumin and are excreted more slowly.

Absorption

Skin is a barrier

EO be applied either “neat” or diluted with vegetable oil.

Vegetable oil retards evaporation of constituents and allows for slow continuous absorption.

Molecule size will effect absorption through skin layers.

Plasma levels peak within 10 minutes for most constituents.

Inhalation

Lungs have high absorption surface area.

High blood flow in the lungs increases absorption into blood stream.

More rapidly deliver a dose than dermal application.

Close proximity to brain increase rapid effect.

Chemistry Basics

The study of essential oils is heavily based in chemistry.

How medical botany research becomes medicine.

Safety

Recommended

Loving Scents

Mountain Rose

Simplers

Not Recommended

Aura cacia

DoTerra

Young Living

Skin Sensitivities

Photo toxicity may happen if there is a reaction between the oil, skin and ultraviolet light. May be a slight pigmentation up to full-thickness burns (Common with lime, bitter orange, and lemongrass).

Risk of skin irritation is greatly reduced when the oil is mixed with a carrier oil.

Overuse and Sensitivity

Over time, and with repeated use, an allergic reaction could develop.

People who already experience allergy-like illnesses such as asthma or eczema may be more sensitive.

Most commonly this will present as a common skin reaction, stinging, rash, etc.

May progress to bronchial inflammation and asthma-like symptoms.

Liver toxicity

Possible with repeated low-level doses over a period of time.

Can cause tissue damage especially in liver and kidneys.

Chronic toxicity usually found from oral use.

Extended use of a single essential oil or blend can occur at low doses over time particularly with topical application.

Use of any essential oil should be limited to 14 days followed by a rest period of at least as long.

Fragrance oils

Made of primarily from petroleum products.

Found in personal products, fabric softeners, cosmetics, soaps, cleaning products and candles.

Candles particularly toxic due to heating and substance found in wicks.

Pseudo estrogen.

Lung disorders, autoimmune problems, allergies, and asthma symptoms.

INGESTION

DoTerra and Young living vs. Aromatherapists

Women’s Health Issues and Complimentary Aromatherapy

Depression: Lavender, lemon, ylang ylang, Frankincense

Post partum depression

Life Changes

Loss

transition

Anxiety: Clary Sage, lavender, Lemon, Rose

Pain: Peppermint, nutmeg, Clary sage, rose geranium

Hormonal Imbalance: Clary sage and Rose Geranium, ylang ylang

Menopause

Teenagers

PCOS

Infertility

Libido

Yeast: Tea tree, Lavender, Patchouli

Childbirth: Lavender, Clary sage, rose geranium, lemon, frankincense

Pain

Fear

Nausea

Edema

Skin issues

Perineal care

Breastfeeding: Frankincense, rose geranium

Sore nipples

Milk production

Colicky babies

mastitis

Menstruation: Clary sage, rose geranium

Cramps

Amenorrhea

Scanty periods

Bloating

Headache

back pain

Our Major Players

Lavender

Rose geranium

Clary sage

Frankincense

Lemon

Ylang ylang

Nutmeg

Peppermint

Lavender – Lavender angustafolia

Plant family: Labiatae – grown all over the world

Biochemical Group: ester alcohol

Properties: Analgesic, Anticonvulsive, Antidepressant, Antimicrobial, Powerful antispasmodic, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, sedative, insecticide

Precautions: None

Uses of Lavender

Burns

Bites

Hypertension

All types of pain

Inflammatory conditions

Aids childbirth

Increases scanty menstrual flow

Nervous tension

Manic depression

Anger

Mood swings

Rose Geranium - Pelargonium Graveolens

Plant Family: Geraniaceae – China

Biochemical group: alcohol, ester, ketone

Properties: Analgesic, anti-spasmodic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-depressant, anti-fungal, deodorant, pancreatic and adrenal stimulant, diuretic, liver stimulant, immune stimulant.

Precautions: Avoid in the early months of pregnancy

Rose Geranium uses

Acne

Bruises

Burns

Broken capillaries

Congested and mature skin

Eczema

Dermatitis

asthma

Circulatory tonic

Clears mucous in digestive system

Glandular problems

MENOPAUSE

Breast engorgement

Nervous tension

anxiety

Clary Sage - Salvia sclarea

Plant Family: Labiatae – China, Indonesia, Russia

Chemical group: ester

Properties: Analgesic, anti-microbial, anti-spasmodic, mucolytic, deodorant, hypotensive, sedative, anti-depressant, aphrodisiac

Precautions: Estrogen dependent conditions, lowers BP

Clary Sage Uses:

Excessive perspiration

Throat infection

High blood pressure

Colic

Cramps

Decreases constipation

Stimulates hormones

Impotence

Frigidity

Depression

Migraines

Eases fear

Inspires creativity

Helpful in midlife crisis

Frankincense - Boswellia carteri

Plant Family: Burseraceae

Biochemical group: Monoterpene, sesquiterpene

Properties: Anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, anti-depressant, astringent, expectorant, immune stimulant, sedative, carminative, promotes menstruation, urinary diuretic

Precautions: None *crop watch list

Frankincense uses

Improves skin

Scars

Acne

Balances oily skin

Sooths bronchitis

Coughs

Laryngitis

Shortness of breath

Colds and flu

cystitis

Nephritis

Genital infections

Breast infections

Decreases anxiety

Nervous tension

Depression

Stress

Nightmares

Fear of future

Brings peace

transition

Lemon - citrus limonum

Plant family: Rutaceae – Italy, Argentina, USA

Biochemical Group: Monoterpenes – limonene

Uses: Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-septic, anti-spasmodic, insecticide, carminative, disinfectant

Precautions: Avoid on sensitive or damaged skin, photosensitivity, may increase absorption of topical Indocin

Lemon uses

Sinus and respiratory infections

Hair growth

Arthritis

Strengthens connective tissue

Raises blood pressure

Stimulates parasympathetic nervous system

Clears thoughts

Aids concentration

Conflict in thought

Increasing intellect

Calms fears

Cooling

calming

Ylang Ylang – Cananga Odorata

Plant Family: Annonaceae – Comoros, Madagascar, Philippines

Biochemical Group: ester

Properties: Anti-spasmodic, sedative, anti-depressant, euphoric, pancreatic stimulant, aphrodisiac, hypotensive

Precautions: Excess may lead to nausea and headaches, avoid in dermatitis and inflamed skin conditions

Ylang Ylang uses

Hypertension

Palpitations

Hair growth

Diabetes

Stimulates thymus gland

Inner coldness

impotence

Frigidity

Depression

Insomnia

Panic

Fear

Rage

Anger

Low self esteem

shock

Nutmeg - Myristica fragrans

Plant Family: Myristicaceae – Indonesia and Sri Lanka

Biochemical group: Monoterpene, phenol, ester

Properties: analgesic, , anti-emetic, antioxidant, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, ant parasitic, aphrodisiac, cardiac, laxative, prostaglandin inhibitor, digestive stimulant, carminative, uterine stimulant

Precautions: May cause hallucinations convulsions, and delirium in high doses, avoid in early pregnancy

Nutmeg uses

Bronchitis

Colds and cough

Intercostal muscle pain

Arthritis

Gout

Rheumatism

Eases sprains

Fatigue

Stimulates cardiac circulation

Bacterial infection

Fever

Carminative

Encourages appetite

Diarrhea

Frigidity

Eases labor pain

Increases contractions

Fainting

Nervous fatigue

Invigorates mind

Peppermint - Mentha Piperita

Plant family: Labiatae – USA, England, France

Biochemical: alcohol, ketone

Properties: Analgesic, anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antipruritic, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, mucolytic, carminative, pancreatic stimulant, liver detoxifier, stimulant, anti-depressant, deodorizer, insect repellent (6&8 leg insects)

Precautions: Keep away from nostrils of infants, avoid use in pregnancy, avoid in lactation- may decrease milk production, avoid with enzyme deficits

Peppermint uses

Acne

Colds

Flu

Nausea

Pain

Spasms

Mental exhaustion

Nervous stress

Shingles

Sudden shock

Fatigue

Inattention

Dispels pride and inferiority

Vertigo

References

Bowles, E. (2003). The chemistry of aromatherapeutic oils (3rd ed.).

Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.

Buckle, J. (1997). Clinical aromatherapy in nursing. London: Arnold

Sheppard-Hanger, S. (1994). The Aromatherapy Practioner Reference

Manual. Tampa: Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapist.

Tisserand, R. (1987). Art of aromatherapy: The healing and beautifying

properties of essential oils of flowers and herbs. Rochester, Vt.: Inner

Traditions International-Thornsons.