MultiCare Health System

Aromatherapy for Your Health

Aromatherapy is the skilled and controlled use of essential oils in a positive, healing way to maintain physical and emotional well being.

Many products often incorrectly use the term aromatherapy. Some media outlets and vendors even refer to aromatherapy as a “new discovery,” promoting inaccurate information and false hype. Holistic aromatherapy does not include the use of fragrance oils or unnatural products. We hope the following information will provide you with better insight about aromatherapy and its benefits and uses.

Aromatherapy is a complementary alternative health modality. Its current use is not intended to replace standard medical care, but to complement it. Aromatherapy can play a beneficial role in assisting with major illnesses, but it cannot be depended upon as a cure for serious issues. It can enhance a cancer patient’s quality of life by lightening the patient’s mood, calming fears, easing nausea during chemotherapy treatments, and improving the immune system.

Lavender. The freshness of lavender is one of inner cleanliness. Its energies are both yin and yang, offering equilibrium, calmness and insight. It has a regenerating effect on the nervous system and is widely used to overcome fear, mental confusion, moodiness and hysteria. It has also shown to have analgesic powers and is able to stimulate the regeneration of damaged tissue. Clinical trials have found lavender to be effective as a nocturnal sedative for elderly patients with sleeping disorders. Along with Roman chamomile, sweet marjoram and neroli, lavender is among the most effective essential oils in helping insomnia. Any of the oils classified as sedatives can be helpful, but it is important to vary the oils used, especially if help with sleeping is needed over a period of more than a week or two.   

Benzoin is very helpful when external worries are at the root of sleeplessness.

Bergamot and orange are good choices when insomnia is linked with depression.

Clary Sage is a very profound relaxant. It should never be combined with alcohol, as the two together can induce nightmares or very strong dreams.

Marjoram is very warming and comforting.

Sandalwood, Juniper, and Ylang-Ylang are also good choices.