Editorial In Major Medical Journal Cites Numerous Research Studies Pointing To The Benefits Of Aromatherapy For People With Dementia
In an editorial in The British Medical Journal, a group of psychiatrists said that three research trials done in the past year have provided evidence that aromatherapy improves the quality of life for individuals with dementia. Dementia, affecting about 18 million people worldwide, refers to a deterioration of mental faculties often associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The main aroma oils used in the trials were lavender and lemon balm. These oils were delivered by either inhalation or skin application. Explanations given for the efficacy of the oils ranged from the scents triggering a well being response in the brain to a direct biological action. Aroma oils, also know as essential oils, contain constituents that have the ability to stimulate certain biological actions in the body that can be healing. According to the editorial, almost all of the participants in trials completed the entire course of their treatment. This underscores what is seen as an excellent tolerability rate. It is common for 30% or more of trial participants in pharmacological treatment studies to be unable to complete the trial. The positive effects of aromatherapy have been known for thousands of years and it is now becoming one of the fastest growing of all the complementary treatments. Source: British Medical Journal, 2002; 325: 1312-1313. Read More.
In an editorial in The British Medical Journal, a group of psychiatrists said that three research trials done in the past year have provided evidence that aromatherapy improves the quality of life for individuals with dementia. Dementia, affecting about 18 million people worldwide, refers to a deterioration of mental faculties often associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The main aroma oils used in the trials were lavender and lemon balm. These oils were delivered by either inhalation or skin application. Explanations given for the efficacy of the oils ranged from the scents triggering a well being response in the brain to a direct biological action. Aroma oils, also know as essential oils, contain constituents that have the ability to stimulate certain biological actions in the body that can be healing. According to the editorial, almost all of the participants in trials completed the entire course of their treatment. This underscores what is seen as an excellent tolerability rate. It is common for 30% or more of trial participants in pharmacological treatment studies to be unable to complete the trial. The positive effects of aromatherapy have been known for thousands of years and it is now becoming one of the fastest growing of all the complementary treatments. Source: British Medical Journal, 2002; 325: 1312-1313. Read More.