Alternative vs. Complementary Healthcare

First, it is prudent to have a working definition of conventional or mainstream healthcare.  Conventional (a.k.a. mainstream) medicine is that which is practiced by licensed MDs (medical doctor) and DOs (doctor of osteopathy) and their associated practitioners (phamacists, registered nurses, and more).  ONLY licensed medical practitioners may legally diagnose, treat, or prescribe.

Alternative healthcare encompasses those modalities of healing outside the conventional / mainstream system.  So, seeing a chiropractor instead of a MD for back pain is a form of alternative healthcare; some other modality is used in place of the mainstream method.

Complementary healthcare includes those things which fall into the alternative definition but are use along side conventional / mainstream healthcare.  So, diffusing Eucalyptus radiata in the home during a sinus infection while taking an antibiotic for the sinus infection as prescribed by an MD is complementary.

This line is not always as clear as the examples above, so, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is the term used to describe the use of these modalities either in place of or alongside mainstream medicine.

Aromatherapy is a CAM modality.  An aromatherapist may not diagnose, treat, nor prescribe, however, they may educate and empower people with regard to wellness using essential oils.

Time to Grieve Blend

Memorials, viewings, and funerals are times of great emotion with many people around.  Often, when the immune defenses are low, "insult is added to injury" with a cold coming on after the family has dispersed back to their own homes.

This blend is applied as a spray to be used as needed during these difficult times.  Since the blend contains antiviral essential oils and it is in an alcohol spray, it can also double as a make-shift hand sanitizer since out of town accommodations may necessitate packing quickly and lightly.


Essential oil blend:

• 2 parts Melissa - antiviral & calming
• 2 parts Frankinscense - calming
• 1 part Coriander - indicated for sadness
• 1 part Lavender - calming, antiviral, improves the scent of the blend
• 1 part Black Spruce - adrenal support for stress

Add 1.5mL of the essential oil blend to a 1 oz. glass bottle of vodka.  Cap with a sprayer, shake vigorously and label.



Resources

Price, S., & Price, L. (2012). Aromatherapy for health professionals (4th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.  

Diffusion

Essential oils are highly concentrated substances.  In some cases, thousands of pounds of plant matter are required to distill a single ounce of pure essential oil.  "Less is more" is a common reminder among aromatherapists to heed the strength of the essential oil.  

In general, inhalation is the safest way to use essential oils - and it is quite safe.  Inhalation can be as simple as a drop of EO on a tissue nearby, a drop in a bowl of water for steaming one's face, or a couple of drops in a high end diffuser.  Diffusion allows a larger space to be affected by a very low concentration of the scent.  

Is aromatherapy effective by inhalation and diffusion?  For certain uses, yes!  This method works because aromatic molecules, when inhaled through the nose, bind with olfactory receptors which lie very close to the limbic section of the brain.  The limbic area is the brain's seat of emotions and behavior. According to Jennifer Peace Rhind (2012),

Via the sense of smell and the limbic system, aromatics can act directly on the mind and emotions, and different odours will induce different states, such as sedation, stimulation, happiness, relaxation, apathy, depression, irritation, sensuality, euphoria, etc.  These effects will vary between individuals; therefore it is important to account for individuality when selecting essential oils for therapeutic use.

Studies have shown the effects of diffused rosemary and lavender essential oils on academic tasks.  These effects are not only measurable, but they are repeatable, giving scientific credence to the historic uses both rosemary and lavender.  

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Buchbauer, G., Jirovetz, L., Jáger, W., Plank, C., & Dietrich, H. (n.d.). Fragrance compounds and essential oils with sedative effects upon inhalation. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences J. Pharm. Sci., 660-664.

Diego, M., Jones, N., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Schanberg, S., Kuhn, C., . . . Galamaga, R. (n.d.). Aromatherapy Positively Affects Mood, Eeg Patterns of Alertness and Math Computations. Int J Neurosci International Journal of Neuroscience, 217-224.

Rhind, J. (2012). Theoretical Perspectives. In Essential oils: A handbook for aromatherapy practice (2nd ed., p. 55). London: Singing Dragon. 

What is Aromatherapy Anyway?

The rose distils a healing balm

The beating pulse of pain to calm.

- Thomas Moore

Narrowly, the art and science of aromatherapy involves using steam distilled essential oils from specific botanicals for the purpose of promoting wellness.  Inhaling the steam from a cup of peppermint tea is a crude form of aromatherapy.

A broader definition would include the use of some absolutes, such as rose or jasmine, and expressed products such as those which are extracted from citrus peels.  

Aromatherapy is generally a complementary rather than alternative form of health promotion.  It is not a panacea, but it is effective when used properly.  

Welcome to Vines of Wellness, home of Crystal Brothers, Aromatherapist.