Mayo Clinic Says Aromatherapy Helps Dementia, Disease and Pain

Our sense of smell is simply amazing - and it's easy to take that for granted. Believe it or not, the nose has a lot of power over the rest of the body. Aromatherapy might seem like a strange approach to treating so many physical ailments, but there could be more to it than we think. We’ve found some uses worth checking out...

Aromatherapy uses essential oils from over 40 different medicinal plants. Studies have shown it may help ease symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, stress-related illnesses and labor pain. Some essential oils also have antimicrobial properties, and researchers are even investigating certain combinations as a treatment for antibiotic-resistant Lyme disease. 

And now the Mayo Clinic says aromatherapy helps dementia, disease and pain.

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy has been a part of European medicine since the early 1900s. It uses the scents of essential oils, or extracts of medicinal plants, to treat various medical conditions. According to the Mayo Clinic, stimulating the nose’s scent receptors may send messages to the brain that can affect us on many different levels. Part of this may have to do with the way scent plays on emotions and the brain’s limbic system.

Over 40 different types of plant oils are considered therapeutic, and most are safe to use on the skin or in a vaporizer. The most common plants used in aromatherapy are lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint and rosemary. 

Help for Dementia Patients

Aromatherapy appears promising in reducing cognitive issues that come with dementia. One 28-day study showed the use of rosemary and lemon in the morning, then lavender and orange in the evening improved cognition in Alzheimer’s patients. According to the U.K.’s Alzheimer’s Society, the scent of lemon balm can improve mood while lavender can reduce dementia-related episodes of aggression.

Protection From Disease

Aromatherapy oils can influence numerous systems in the body, including the brain. This may be due to the way different oils interact with various hormones and enzymes. Because of these effects, aromatherapy can help reduce stress levels, which may reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease and other stress-related illnesses. It may even be able to boost the immune system.

The oils may also be able to treat some types of infectious diseases. Many essential oils contain antimicrobial properties, some of which rival the abilities of mainstream antibiotics. For example, a combination of essential oils is currently being studied as a treatment for persistent Lyme disease in patients where potent antibiotics have failed. Essential oils are usually highly concentrated, and some can be toxic, or even lethal, when taken internally, so be sure to leave the experimental ingestion to the researchers.

Relief From Pain

Just as our sense of smell can affect our minds, it may also affect how severely we perceive pain. A meta-analysis reviewing 12 studies found aromatherapy assisted conventional treatments in reducing significant pain. Another study demonstrated the effectiveness of inhaling lavender oil to offset labor pain. According to th Mayo Clinic, rose, lavender and frankincense may also be effective in reducing the perception of pain.

Your sense of smell may be more powerful than you realize. Aromatherapy may seem like a strange way to treat so many issues, but only because we’ve become so conditioned to seek out a pill whenever something goes wrong. Why not consider trying something different?

As with any alternative treatment, discuss the pros and cons of using essential oils with your health provider. Some conditions may require treatment under a doctor’s supervision, and it’s always best to keep your doctor at the helm of your important medical decisions.

~ Here’s to Your Health and Wellness