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Aromatherapy Cancer Treatment

Although aromatherapy cannot cure cancer, it can be used in the treatment; aromatherapy can help alleviate stress, anxiety, depression and pain. In addition, many clinical studies, conducted by various groups, show that aromatherapy helps relieve some of the complications associated with cancer.

  1. How Aromatherapy Works

    • Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils in the treatment of certain medical conditions; essential oils are naturally extracted from plant material, such as flowers, trees, grasses, roots, seeds and bark. Various extraction methods are used, depending on the plant, but only essential oils extracted from plants are considered valuable in aromatherapy; synthetic (manmade) aromatherapy oils do not possess the same healing power as pure essential oils.

      Essential oils are absorbed through the skin, as in massage, or inhaled; essential oils are not recommended for ingestion in the United States but are commonly used that way in France and other European countries. The fragrance of the essential oils is believed to benefit the patient.

    Aromatherapy Studies and Cancer

    • Several studies show that aromatherapy can help with cancer complications. The Journal of Palliative Medicine (2004) published an American study that used aromatherapy and massage with advanced cancer patients. The study concluded that patients who received aromatherapy and massage, compared to a study group who did not, had less depression and slept better. Similar studies have concluded that aromatherapy treatments in cancer patients reduced the effects of depression, stress and anxiety.

    Using Aromatherapy for Cancer

    • Aromatherapy is an alternative, or complementary, treatment and should be used under the guidance of a qualified aromatherapist and doctor in the treatment of cancer. It is important that the aromatherapy treatment is compatible with any medication prescribed by a doctor for cancer. Aromatherapy can be used to alleviate stress, depression, anxiety, sickness and pain.

      Aromatherapy treatments can be in the form of massage oils, lotions or creams the patient uses on a daily basis; essential oils can also be diffused into the air in several types of aromatherapy diffusers. A patient should take the expert guidance of a qualified aromatherapist when choosing essential oils for the cancer treatment.

    Cancer treatment and aromatherapy

    • Essential oils that may be suitable in treating stress, depression, anxiety and sickness include lavender, lemon, frankincense and peppermint. However, before using aromatherapy in the treatment of cancer, a patient should consult with both a doctor and a qualified aromatherapist.

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