Aromatherapy and Its Potential Downfalls

Studies have proven aromatherapy to be beneficial in treating several illnesses, but there are also problems related to its use. It is the nurse’s job as a patient advocate to ensure that patients have the right resources available to make the best decision for their health regarding aromatherapy

Nurses can do this with the following strategies: encourage the patient to consult their primary care provider regarding the use of aromatherapy, nurses should seek education on proper use of aromatherapy and direct patients to someone specializing in this field, and nurses can ensure that patients are aware of potential side effects of aromatherapy.
“Aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing therapies in the world today” (Thomas, 2002, pg. 1). Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to stimulate certain brain structures through smell, massage, and ingestion of oils. A few examples of oils are lavender which promotes relaxation, and peppermint oil relieves nausea and vomiting and promotes digestion (Alternative Medicine, 2004). Aromatherapy is used for pain relief in chronic illnesses, mood enhancement, and to promote relaxation. The problems related to aromatherapy occur when patients do not consult their primary care provider before undergoing procedures. “Researchers find that patients often do not consult their physician or healthcare providers before starting complimentary alternative therapy” (Fowler & Newton, 2006 pg. 5). The second problem is when patients have not properly researched aromatherapy, they risk going to someone who does not specialize in alternative therapies. Another problem that occurs from lack of research by patients and nurses is adverse side effects of essential oils.
Nurses can ensure that patients benefit from aromatherapy by encouraging them to consult their primary care provider before undergoing treatment. According to Scrace, “the need for a more collaborative approach between professionals and the patient and family is a big issue when exploring complimentary alternative therapy (2003). The primary care provider is the best source of information about treatments that could be beneficial or hazardous because they know the patient’s health history. This intervention can prevent patients with serious illnesses from subjecting themselves to potentially fatal complications. If patients do no communicate with their primary care provider, it could result in one monitored treatment for their illness, and one unmonitored treatment such as the aromatherapy with no supervision of how they interact (Scrace, 2003).
To address the problem of improper administration of aromatherapy nurses should seek education on the proper aromatherapy use and refer patients to a specialist. Patients with chronic or terminal illnesses may not have the physical or emotional strength to do the research themselves. This is where the nurse steps in as a patient advocate. “Many professionals are members of organizations that strive to improve public awareness of aromatherapy and increase the standards of aromatherapy education and practice” (Alternative Medicine, 2004 pg 3). Nurses can also direct patients or their family members to websites and toll free numbers that give them information on aromatherapy. The Australian Nursing Journal states, “Nurses are also considered more likely than doctors to discuss the use of and give advice about complementary therapies to patients (2004, pg 1). Nurses with proper credentials can organize health fairs throughout the community that focus on alternative medicine. This would reduce the risk of patients receiving therapy without the proper knowledge. Once the patient is informed and knowledgeable about aromatherapy it is especially important for nurses practicing aromatherapy to have the right credential before administering treatments. Studies show that nurses have offered or used alternative medicine on patients without hospital permission (Scrace, 2003). Nurses wanting to practice alternative treatment need to seek the approval of the National Association of Holistic Therapy and their employer’s approval. Nursing schools are now incorporating alternative medicine into their curriculum, and graduate certificates are being offered. For nurses wanting to prescribe essential oils, a prescribing training would be necessary (Buckle, 2003). This can help prevent the problem of improper administration.
To keep patients healthy and safe, nurses can inform them of the potential side effects of aromatherapy some of which can be life threatening. According to Alternative Medicine, “rare side effects include allergic reaction including rash, headache, liver and nerve damage, as well as harm to fetus” (2004, pg 3). Nurses should know exactly what type of therapy the patient is receiving and which essential oil is being used. For example oils high in phenols cause skin irritation, and eucalyptus increases metabolic rates of meds such as pentobarbital and amphetamines (Alternative Medicine, 2004). Continuous monitoring of patients over the course of the treatment can alert the nurse to any adverse changes. Patients should also be advised to continue their primary treatment protocol to manage their illness.
Aromatherapy with proper knowledge and use could make a lot of diseases more manageable, and be very beneficial to the healthcare profession. The problems, such as patients not consulting their primary care provider before undergoing procedures, patients’ not properly researching aromatherapy, and adverse side effects can be resolved with three interventions. The three interventions are encouraging patients to consult their primary care provider before undergoing procedures, nurses seeking proper education on aromatherapy and referring patients to the proper specialists, and nurses informing patients of the potential side effects of aromatherapy.
Intervention #1: Ensuring that patients benefit from aromatherapy by encouraging them to consult their primary care provider.
Disadvantage #1: Although nurses would like to see patients consulting their primary care provider, there are healthcare professionals unwilling to embrace alternative therapies. This makes patients’ less likely to inform them of their use of aromatherapy for fear of rejection by their provider. According to Smith there are those who contend that alternative therapy and traditional medicine should remain separate (2005). It is believed that nurses are more likely to discuss and give advice about the use of alternative therapies with patients (Australian Nursing Journal, 2004). It is important for the nurses to discuss this, but the doctor is the most knowledgeable resource about the patient’s health history. If the doctor is not willing to discuss the topic of aromatherapy then patients proceed to endure treatments without the permission of their provider. The doctor should provide an environment where the patient feels safe discussing holistic approaches (Parkman, 2001).
Disadvantage #2: Ensuring that patients consult their primary care provider before treatments becomes a problem when patients do not have a primary car provider due to financial costs or lack of insurance. Research shows that when compared “complimentary therapies are generally less expensive than traditional medicine” (Smith, 2005). For the patient with financial issues the use of aromatherapy may seem beneficial, and this makes patients more likely to try to treat their own illnesses due to the rising costs of healthcare. In a study done by the European Journal of Epidemiology patients with breast cancers used alternative therapies before visiting a physician mainly because of economic factors (Malik, 2003).
Intervention #2: To keep patients healthy and safe nurses can inform them of the potential side effects of aromatherapy, some of which can be life threatening.
Disadvantage #1: Nurses who aren’t familiar with alternative therapies and their risks can’t educate and inform patients about adverse effects. It is the nurses’ professional responsibility to be knowledgeable about complimentary therapy. “Alternative therapies require staff competency, patient assessment, and patient-focused care (Parkman, 2001). One study showed that patients who use alternative therapy believe there are no risks associated with it. When the patient and the nurse are both uninformed adverse effects are likely to occur (Calogiuri, 2006).
Disadvantage #2: It is the nurse’s job to inform patients’ of the risks and potential life threatening side effects of aromatherapy, but studies has proven there is not sufficient research for every type of patient and their condition. For example, there is little research on aromatherapy specific to pregnant patients (King, 2004). “Advocates of complimentary alternative therapy (CAM) highlight their benefits and often point to the safety of natural, soft, or holistic approaches, but little is known about their possible side effects”. Most studies of alternative therapies are considered difficult to interpret or inconclusive, and most remedies are not under strict regulation of health officials (Calogiuri, 2006).
References

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Calogiuri, G., Gaeta, F., Pesole, O., Romano, A., Ventura, M., & Viola, M. (Sept, 2006). Hypersensitivity reactions to complimentary and alternative medicine products. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 12(26) pg. 3393-3399. Retrieved November 1, 2007 from Academic Search Premier.
Fowler, S., & Newton, L. (2006). Complimentary and alternative therapies. Journal of Neuroscience Nursing 38(4), 261-265. Retrieved January 7, 2007 from Expanded Academic ASAP database.
King, M., McGhee, K., Pettigew, A., & Rudolph, C. (2004). Complimentary therapy use by women’s health clinic patients. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 10(6), 50-55. Retrieved October 28, 2007 from Proquest.
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Malik, I. (2003). Use of cam results in delay in seeking medical advice for breast cancer. European Journal of Epidemiology, 18(8), 817. Retrieved November 1, 2007 from Proquest.
Modalities-Aromatherapy (2004). Alternative Medicine. Retrieved January 7, 2007 from http://www.Alternativemedicine.com.
Parkman, C. (2001). Alternative therapies are here to stay. Nursing Management, 32(2), 36-39. Retrieved November 1, 2007 from Proquest.
Scrace, J. (2003). Complementary therapies in palliative care of children with cancer: a literature review. Pediatric Nursing 15(3), 36-40. Retrieved January 7, 2007 from Expanded Academic ASAP.
Smith, Y. (2005). Independent Study: Complimentary therapies from a nursing perspective. Journal ISNA Bulletin, 31(2). Retrieved October 28, 2007 from Academic Search Premier (CINAHL).
Thomas, D. (2002). Aromatherapy: mythical, magical, or medicinal? Holistic Nursing Practice, 16(5), 8-17. Retrieved April 18, 2007 from Expanded Academic ASAP.