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Aromatherapy involves using the concentrated oils of medicinal herbs to energize or relax the body. These volatile oils (those that evaporate when exposed to the air) can be easily absorbed through inhalation or application on the skin.
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Aromatherapy involves using the concentrated oils of medicinal herbs to energize or relax the body. These volatile oils (those that evaporate when exposed to the air) can be easily absorbed through inhalation or application on the skin.
Find other natural remedies for depression.
- Ballard CG, O'Brien JT, Reichelt K, et al. Aromatherapy as a safe and effective treatment for the management of agitation in severe dementia: the results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with Melissa. J Clin Psychiatry. 2002;63:553-558.
- Holmes C, Hopkins V, Hensford C, et al. Lavender oil as a treatment for agitated behaviour in severe dementia: a placebo controlled study. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2002;17:305-308.
- Snow LA, Hovanec L, Brandt J. A Controlled trial of aromatherapy for agitation in nursing home patients with dementia. J Altern Complement Med. 2004;10:431-437.
- Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M, et al. Melissa officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2003;74:863-866.
Aromatherapy is used to alleviate the agitation seen in Alzheimer's patients. Lavender oil and Lemon Balm have been studied in clinical studies. As is true in Aromatherapy, these essential oils's fragrance can be transmitted via inhalation or through application on the skin.
Lavender oil used purely as aromatherapy (treatment involving inhaling essential oils) has been advocated for reducing agitation in people with dementia 52 ; however, people with dementia tend to lose their sense of smell, making this approach seem somewhat unlikely to work.69
Topical use of essential oil of the herb lemon balm has also shown promise for reducing agitation in people with Alzheimer's disease51 ; the researchers who tested it considered their method aromatherapy because the fragrance wafts up from the skin, but essential oils are also absorbed through the skin and this mechanism of action seems more plausible. Oral use of lemon balm extract has also shown promise.70
Aromatherapy involves using the concentrated oils of medicinal herbs to energize or relax the body. These volatile oils (those that evaporate when exposed to the air) can be easily absorbed through inhalation or application on the skin.
Find other natural remedies for depression. l"
