ESSENTIAL OILS AND AROMATHERAPY

By Carolynn Anderson, CMMP, LMT

Essential Oils (EOs) are the “lifeblood” of the plant, which it uses to nourish and heal itself. The wide variety of plants produces many varieties of EOs that we humans are also able to use for healing and life-improving purposes. As you read this article, scientists around the world continue to test new plants to determine potential healing qualities in their EOs.

Ancient cultures widely used EOs. Ancient Egyptians were the first to study, produce and use EOs for religious and healing purposes. From Egypt, this knowledge spread through Jewish and later Christian communities. Many references to frankincense, cedarwood, and the aloes (sandalwood) – just to name a few – can be found in the Judeo-Christian religious texts.

Many widely used prescription pharmaceuticals were originally derived from plants, e.g., digitalis from foxglove and the well-known salicylic acid (aspirin) from the inner bark of the white willow tree.

The modern history of EOs started at the beginning of the 20th century, during the First World War, when large numbers of injured and sick people demanded the mobilization of all possible tools medicine had at that time.

In the last 20 years, EOs have gained popularity in the U.S. Their qualities are studied by scientists around the world, taught in Naturopathic Schools and Integrative Medicine programs of several Medical Schools, and they can now be found even on a health food store’s shelves.

HEALING MECHANISM OF EOs

While working on a client to reduce his or her stress, the therapist works on the soft tissues, using sensory receptors (touch, pressure, temperature, etc.) to alter the function of the CNS. However, besides massage techniques, the therapist uses other ways to alter the CNS function of the client: soft music will calm brain activity with soothing sound, dimmed light will inhibit the visual cortex, a warm temperature in the room will comfort temperature receptors, etc. To additionally reinforce the effect of a massage session, the therapist may and should correctly apply EOs to alter the function of the CNS via the olfactory system (the system that conducts and forms the sense of smell).

As humans, we rely on 9 senses to survive and safely interact with our environment: vision, hearing, taste, touch, smell, thermoception, nociception, proprioception and equilibrioception. Interestingly, only the sense of smell has direct access to the brain’s limbic system, which controls our emotions and sense of pleasure. All other senses need to go via the thalamus, which is a major relay station, to get their information to the cortex.

Let’s follow the olfactory pathway illustrated in Fig. 1.

1 – Olfaction via nasal cavity
2 – Retro-nasal olfaction allows us to feel the smell of the food we are chewing
3 – Olfactory epithelium with olfactory nerve
4 – Olfactory bulb
5 – Olfactory Tract
6 – Thalamus
7 – Amygdala and limbic system

To form the sensation of smell, any airborne molecules, including EOs, must come in contact with the olfactory epithelium (#3), located in the upper part of the nasal cavity. It can be done by direct olfaction (#1) or by retro-nasal olfaction through the oral cavity (#2). As soon as receptors located in the olfactory epithelium are activated, they send action potentials via the olfactory nerve to the olfactory bulb (#4), which is the first main component of our smell perception, since more than 2,000 glomeruli there allow us to discriminate between different smells.

The olfactory bulb sends initially processed information about the perceived smell via the olfactory tract (#5) further into the brain to the amygdala (#7) and other components of the limbic system located below the thalamus (#6).

Direct access of the olfactory system to the limbic system explains why certain smells, including those of food, bring us joy and trigger pleasant memories of events associated with this particular smell.

Even this short description of the anatomy and physiology of the olfactory system illustrates how important EOs and Aromatherapy can be if correctly used. Thus, EOs can be another sensory tool which may greatly reinforce the therapeutic effects of every massage session.

ESSENTIAL OILS

EOs are different from seed oils, like avocado or coconut, which are greasy and usually thicker. These seed oils are also called carrier oils. Carrier oil is also an important product because it serves as a base that protects the skin from being irritated by the stronger chemical constituents that make up the EOs.

There are several factors to consider when deciding what oils to use in general healing and in massage therapy in particular.

1. Where does the plant come from?

The ground in which the seed is sown must be virgin soil to which no petrochemical has ever been applied. If “life is in the blood” then, in the case of the EO, life is in the seed. The company must first start with an organic, healthy seed to produce a healthy, vibrant plant. The company I use “Young Living” follows a tried-and-true “Seed to Seal” protocol that assures the user of the most potent essential oil available on the market.

2. Is the plant harvested at the peak of the season and proper time of day (or night) to preserve the strength of the EO?

The company we use starts with the organic seed and the healthy plant harvested at peak season before it is put through the proper distillation process.

3. How is the oil processed to ensure as many chemical constituents as possible are preserved in that particular EO?

The company we use owns the growing farms and works with co-op farms that follow the same process of seeding, growing the plants, harvesting and final distilling of the EOs. The entire process is rigorously controlled to ensure the high quality of final products and their close uniformity, which can fluctuate from one growing season to another.

4. Bottling and Storage

All EOs must be bottled in dark amber glass bottles. A glass bottle is more stable and chemically neutral than plastic, and dark glass bottles don’t allow sunlight to degrade many chemical components of the EOs. All EOs must be stored at the proper temperature suggested by their maker.

5. Therapeutic Grade

Only 100% therapeutic-grade EOs must be used, since these oils are pure, with no other substances and no dilution, which would otherwise weaken the EOs. Therapists will see “100% Therapeutic Grade” on the front label of the bottle (see Fig. 3). There are other labels therapists should avoid: ‘100% essential oil’ or ‘100% natural essential oil.’

6. Sources of information on EOs

In the U.S., certification is not required to use essential oils. It is best, of course, to study detailed manuals such as Life Science Publishing’s “Essential Oils Desk (or Pocket) Reference”, which is specifically written for the company’s oils that I trust and use.

Another text that is helpful to better understand the oils is “The Chemistry of Essential Oils” by David Stewart, PhD.

7. Legal Issues

Therapists need to use the words “protect”, “maintain” and “support” health and wellbeing when talking about EOs. This is because the FDA considers any product that “will relieve colic, ease pain, relax muscles, treat depression or anxiety or help you sleep as drugs.” At this time, the FDA does not consider EOs as drugs.

CAUTIOUS USE OF ESSENTIAL OILS

First of all, the therapist must ask the client about allergies or sensitivities to any plant product. Adverse reactions can occur, and we, as practitioners, need to be as learned and educated as we can be about such things.

The next step I take is the Skin Test to determine if the client will have any reaction to the EO. I clean the skin (usually the inner surface of the forearm), put a dab of oil on the skin and wait about 3-4 minutes to see if there is any redness, itching or swelling. If there is any such indicator present, immediately put a carrier oil (coconut or avocado oil) on the testing area. This will immediately neutralize the irritating effect of the EO. One should realize that water does not wash away and immediately neutralize the EOs. In fact, water will spread the oil and drive it deeper into the skin.

Here are two observations from my practice:

Once, I worked on my plumber, and he informed me that he was allergic to coconut oil. I had a massage oil blend that didn’t list coconut oil among its ingredients but rather caprylic and capric acids. I read all the ingredients to him, and he agreed to therapy. Neither of us knew that both acids are derived from coconut! He had a severe reaction of skin itching and difficulty breathing. He went to urgent care for treatment and was out of work for three days, for which I am paying, judging by the looks of my bill for the bathroom work. Do your research!

For one of my clients, I used a blend of EOs that is wonderful for decreasing inflammation and relaxing muscle tension, and it contained a minimal amount of cinnamon. Although I properly ventilated my therapy room, my next client, who was allergic to cinnamon, started coughing as soon as she entered the room. I immediately put just a little lavender on my hands for her to smell. The coughing immediately started to subside, and I proceeded with therapy.

There is a very effective way to prevent such situations from happening in the future and also to use EOs which target each new client without fear of exposing him or her to the scent left in the room after the previous treatment. First of all, ventilate the room after each client. Secondly, you can place an electric grinder in the room, grind 5-10 coffee beans after the client has left the room and open the grinder, letting the coffee odor fill the therapy room. The smell of coffee is pleasant and it will also bind to the olfactory receptors in the nasal cavity and prevent the ‘wrong’ smell from bothering a new client just entering the room.

APPLICATION OF EOs

EOs can be placed directly on the affected area, inhaled, diffused, and many can be ingested. EOs can be rubbed or placed on the skin in the so-called ‘rain-drop technique.’

Here are some examples of the clinical application of EOs: peppermint is a good choice to use on the abdomen to assist in gastro-intestinal abnormalities (Rozza et al., 2013; Shavakhi et al., 2012) or applied to the back of the neck to support the body in the case of a tension headache (Borhani Haghighi et al., 2010).

A blend of clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary (called “Thieves”) supports the immune system. This blend is often diffused to eliminate household germs, but it doesn’t stop there. Research has shown that clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary can limit the lifespan of staphylococcus, streptococcus, candida and other bacteria (Khan and Ahmad, 2012; Gupta et al., 2013).

Lavender has a calming, relaxing and balancing effect that helps clients balance their emotional state and improve concentration, and it has an antidepressant effect (Motomura et al., 2001; Sakamoto et al., 2005).  

Chen et al. (2013) reported promising data that a blend of myrrh and frankincense has potential anticancer abilities. An especially interesting fact is that the healing abilities of both oils are frequently cited in the Bible.

I protect myself from colds and stimulate the immune system by putting a few drops of peppermint or oregano EO into a glass of water and drinking it a couple of times a day.

I start my sessions by putting one drop of peppermint on each foot and working on the client’s feet because of the reflexive effect it has on the rest of the body. I then apply two lavender drops to my palms and put them, palm down, about 3-4 inches above the client’s face when they are lying supine. I instruct them to breathe in with their abdomen 3-4 times. Molecules of lavender oil are so small that they can travel through the entire body, balancing the activities of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Only at this point do I start the Swedish Massage session or the application of the MEDICAL MASSAGE PROTOCOL. 

Which EOs I use later in therapy depends on my client’s emotional and clinical needs. I do this with the knowledge I have now, my continuing education, the experience of what I have seen and felt for myself, and the feedback from my clients.  

Contrary to what some have to say about aromatherapy, my personal experience, as well as the scientific data I have relied on in my practice, has allowed me to conclude that EOs are a very important tool massage therapists should and must use to enhance treatment and help clients/patients. However, like any other remedy or treatment, they must be used with care, proper knowledge and sincere intentions for the best outcome for the client. 

REFERENCES

• Borhani Haghighi A, Motazedian S, Rezaii R, et al. Cutaneous application of menthol 10% solution as an abortive treatment of migraine without aura: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossed-over study. Int J Clin Pract. 2010;64(4):451-456. doi:10.1111/j.1742-1241.2009.02215.x
• Chen Y, Zhou C, Ge Z, et al. Composition and potential anticancer activities of essential oils obtained from myrrh and frankincense. Oncol Lett. 2013;6(4):1140-1146. doi:10.3892/ol.2013.1520
• Gupta A, Duhan J, Tewari S, et al. Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of Syzygium aromaticum, Ocimum sanctum and Cinnamomum zeylanicum plant extracts against Enterococcus faecalis: a preliminary study. Int Endod J. 2013;46(8):775-783. doi:10.1111/iej.12058
• Khan MSA, Ahmad I. Biofilm inhibition by Cymbopogon citratus and Syzygium aromaticum essential oils in the strains of Candida albicans. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012;140(2):416-423. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.01.045
• Motomura N, Sakurai A, Yotsuya Y. Reduction of mental stress with lavender odorant. Percept Mot Skills. 2001;93(3):713-718. doi:10.2466/pms.2001.93.3.713
• Rozza AL, Hiruma-Lima CA, Takahira RK, Padovani CR, Pellizzon CH. Effect of menthol in experimentally induced ulcers: pathways of gastroprotection. Chem Biol Interact. 2013;206(2):272-278. doi:10.1016/j.cbi.2013.10.003
• Sakamoto R, Minoura K, Usui A, Ishizuka Y, Kanba S. Effectiveness of aroma on work efficiency: lavender aroma during recesses prevents deterioration of work performance. Chem Senses. 2005;30(8):683-691. doi:10.1093/chemse/bji061
• Shavakhi A, Ardestani SK, Taki M, Goli M, Keshteli AH. Premedication with peppermint oil capsules in colonoscopy: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial study. Acta Gastroenterol Belg. 2012;75(3):349-353.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Category: Stress Reduction Massage

Tags: JMS 2017 Issue #4