Essential Oils for the Holistic Provider Becky Wolff, RN, MSN,
MA Certified Clinical Aromatherapy Practitioner/Instructor Robin
Arends, DNP, CNP, FNP-BC Certified Clinical Aromatherapy
Practitioner Slide 2 Objectives Discuss difference between
commercial and therapeutic grade essential oils Discuss the
therapeutic uses of common essential oils. Discuss precautions of
common essential oils Slide 3 HISTORY OF AROMATHERAPY Earliest use
Neanderthal skeleton dating back 60,000 years found with 8 species
of herbs Dr. Gattefosse first used the word aromatherapy Earliest
records date back to paintings in caves in France around 18,000 BC.
Florence Nightingale used lavender oil on foreheads of injured
soldiers to help them relax. At the end of the Crimean War used
tincture of myrrh possibly for a carminative Slide 4 ESSENTIAL OILS
An oil obtained from aromatic plants by steam distillation or cold
expression Contains the true essence of the plant Highly volatile
Highly concentrated 100 times more potent that the plant
Anti-septic; some are anti-bacterial and anti- viral Highly complex
substances-chemo types Slide 5 Essential oils affect the body,
mind, and spirit Chemical properties of the oil Limbic system PNI
(psychoneuroimmunology) Slide 6 Commercial and Therapeutic Grade
Essential Oils Not pure if use words like fragrance oil, nature
identical oil, perfume oil Know how the oil was extracted, steam,
cold- expressed, solvent Oils need to be in dark colored glass
Orifice reducer not rubber stopper Prices are not equal neroli,
jasmine and rose oil are very expensive The botanical name should
be on the label (French) Country of origin should be on the label
Watch out for retail suppliers vs. oil supplliers Slide 7 GAS
CHROMATOGRAPH Slide 8 National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy
(NAHA) An educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to
enhancing public awareness of the benefits of true aromatherapy
Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice Slide 9 Clinical
Aromatherapy Definition: the use of essential oils for specific
outcomes which are measurable Slide 10 IT IS THE CHEMISTRY OF AN
ESSENTIAL OIL THAT DETERMINES ITS THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES Slide 11
CHEMICALS IN EOS ALCOHOLS: antibiotic, tonic, diuretic, antiviral
ALDEHYDES: anti-inflammatory, sedative, antiviral, skin irritant
ESTERS: sedative, antispasmodic, some antifungal KETONES: good for
skin and tissue, mucolytic, potentially neurotoxic PHENOLS:
antibacterial, stimulant, immunostimulant, skin irritant Slide 12
Essential oils must be diluted with a carrier oil which also has
therapeutic properties. As a general rule do not exceed a dose of
greater than 4 % and/or combine more than 4 oils in one mixture. 1
drop of EO in 5 mls of carrier oil1% 2 drops2% 4 drops4% DILUTION
AND DOSAGES Slide 13 ADMINISTERING ESSENTIAL OILS Inhalation:
diffusers, vaporizers, Q-tip, tissue, bath Topical: compress,
massage, gargle *Inhalation is the quickest way to administer an
essential oil Slide 14 Essential Oils Slide 15 LAVENDER Lavandula
angustifolia Chemistry:up to 50% esters up to 45% alcohols Clinical
Applications: 1. Enhances sense of well-being 2. Sedative/calming
action 3. All skin problems 4. Analgesic 5. Antispasmodic:
respiratory and GI 6. Antiseptic, anti-viral, antibiotic (effective
against MRSA) 7. Effective against mites *Safe to use with children
Slide 16 LAVENDAR SPIKE Lavandula latifolia Chemistry:up to 30%
oxide up to 15% ketone up to 30% alcohol approx. 2% esters Clinical
Applications: 1. Stimulant (anti-depressant) 2. Powerful mucolytic
3. Post-stroke paralysis and muscle spasticity 4. Analgesic for
sprains, stiff joints and muscular pains 5. Antispasmodic 6. Insect
repellent 7. Antiviral Slide 17 LAVANDIN Lavandula x Intermedia
Chemistry:There are 4 chemotypes: Super, Grosso, Reydovan, and
Abrialis Super is higher in esters. Grosso is higher in alcohols.
Reydovan is higher in camphor. Abrialis has a good mixture of
everything. Clinical Applications: Super: relaxant, antispasmodic,
relaxant Grosso: useful for infections Reydovan: mucolytic,
expectorant Abrialis: infections, antispasmodic and relaxant Slide
18 MANDARIN Citrus Reticulata Chemistry:up to 90% terpenes up to 6%
alcohol up to 1% aldehydes up to 1% ester Clinical Applications: 1.
Insomnia, nervous tension, restlessness 2. Digestive problems,
dyspepsia 3. Acne, stretch marks 4. Fluid retention, obesity 5.
Antiemetic *Safe to use with children Slide 19 TEA TREE Melaleuca
alternifolia Chemistry: Three different chemotypes. Chemotype
Terpineol up to 15% oxide up to 50% alcohol up to 5%
sesquiterpenols up to 40% terpenes Clinical Applications: 1.
Bacterial infections including abscesses, acne 2. Fungal infection
3. Most skin infections 4. Vaginal infections 5. Insect bites,
poison ivy 6. Effective against MRSA 7. Respiratory infections,
mouth infections Slide 20 FRANKINCENSE Boswellia cateri
Chemistry:terpenes 43% alcohols 10% esters up to 61% Clinical
applications: 1. Meditation, introspection and prayer 2. Coughs,
asthma 3. Analgesic myrcene 4. Healing of scars, ulcers, wounds 5.
Immunostimulant 6. Mild emmenogogue 7. Effective against s. aureus,
e.coli 8. Bereavement 9. Anti-inflammatory Slide 21 SWEET MARJORAM
Origanum majorana Chemistry: up to 40% terpenes up to 50% alcohols
up to 12 % esters Clinical Applications: 1.Tranquilizing action,
good for insomnia 2.Excellent for muscle pain, neuralgia,
rheumatism, arthritis 3.Antibacterial 4.Antifungal 5.Emmenagogue
6.Strengthens peristalsis, eases cramps 7.Male anaphrodisiac for
inappropriate sexual response Slide 22 GERANIUM Pelargonium
graveolens Chemistry: up to 70% alcohols up to 8% ketones up to 15%
esters Clinical Applications: 1. Important female hormonal
regulator PMS, menopause, any menstrual problems 2. Nervous
tension, stress related conditions, depression 3. Moderately
antibacterial 4. Good for skin, bruises, cuts, ulcers, broken
capillaries 5. Moderately antifungal 6. Astringent 7. Antispasmodic
Slide 23 MYRRH Commiphora myrrha Chemistry: Furanoeudesa up to 34%
Furanodiene up to 19.7% Lindestrene up to 12% Clinical
Applications: 1. Healthy skin 2. Antifungal, antiviral,
anti-inflammatory, anti- parasitic 3. Expectorant 4. Antispasmodic
properties 5. Immune stimulant 6. Digestive aid Slide 24
Precautions/Safe use of Essential Oils Keep all essential oils out
of reach of children and pets. Avoid the use of essential oils you
know nothing about on your clients. Know the safety data on each
essential oil. Use caution when treating a female client who
suspects she is pregnant or has been trying to become pregnant.
Keep essential oils away from the eyes. Rinse with carrier oil or
milk. Essential oils are highly flammable substances. Store in cool
place. Make sure your treatment room has good ventilation. Do not
use essential oils internally. Store in colored glass not plastic
bottles. Do not mix up carrier oil and EOs in advance (rancidity)
Ensure bottles are labeled with botanical name, amt. of oil,
concentration, chemotype, name of supplier. Slide 25 Dilution of
Essential Oils Essential oils must be diluted with a carrier oil
which also has therapeutic properties. Four oils that can be used
undiluted: Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Tea Tree (Melaleucca
alternifolia) Pettigrain (Citrus aurantium var. amarafol) German
chamomile (Matricaria recutita) Slide 26 Possible Adverse Effects
Contact dermatitis Skin patch test Phototoxicity Furonocoumarin
free Psychological associations with odors Limbic system Slide 27
400 comprehensive essential oil profiles and almost 4000
references. Slide 28 ESSENTIAL OILS TO BE AVOIDED WITH ESTROGEN
BASED CANCERS Clary Sage (Salvia sclaria) Fennel (Foeniculum
vulgare) Aniseed (Pipernella anisum) Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Slide 29 Matter is most spiritual in the perfume of the plant. When
the spirit most closely approaches the physical earth, then we have
the perception of fragrance. -Rudolf Steiner Slide 30 Contact
Information Becky Wolff [email protected] Robin Arends
[email protected]
