{"id":14940,"date":"2021-06-18T15:07:50","date_gmt":"2021-06-18T14:07:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.caredocs.co.uk\/?p=14940"},"modified":"2023-06-01T14:33:54","modified_gmt":"2023-06-01T13:33:54","slug":"guide-to-aromatherapy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.caredocs.co.uk\/guide-to-aromatherapy\/","title":{"rendered":"A care home manager’s guide to aromatherapy"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Download your free ebook!<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Don’t forget to grab your copy of our free Care Home Manager’s Guide to Aromatherapy ebook…<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDownload ebook<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Aromatherapy\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Natural ingredients have been used for their healing properties for thousands of years with evidence of distillation apparatus going back to ancient Egypt. The term \u2018aromatherapy\u2019, which describes the modern practice of using aromatic materials to increase physical and mental wellbeing, was coined in 1937 by the French perfumer and chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse after discovering he could treat severe burn wounds on his hands with lavender oil. The benefits of this complementary therapy are becoming increasingly recognised at a mainstream level.<\/p>

In recent years, it\u2019s been introduced into residential care homes to support individuals with long-lasting conditions, including arthritis, stress, circulatory and respiratory problems. Small studies have shown that people with Alzheimer\u2019s or dementia have also been able to find some benefit from aromatherapy, by increasing sleep time and reducing agitation, excessive movement and wandering. This is due to the olfactory nerve in the nose being triggered and sending signals to the parts of the brain that control emotions, mood, and memory. However, studies on a large scale have yet to take place.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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What is aromatherapy?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Aromatherapy is a complementary therapy, meaning it should be used alongside other forms of conventional treatment to maximise results. By using different natural plant, tree, herb and flower extracts in the form of essential oils, it can help relieve pain, anxiety, depression and improve mood, sleep and circulation.<\/p>

Typically, the oils take effect by being smelled or breathed, either through oil burners or applying the scent to a bath or a pillow, or absorbed through the skin by massaging a cream or lotion. There are several common conditions that prevent people from undergoing this therapy which will need to be checked in advance with the therapist.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Getting started with aromatherapy<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Most aromatherapists will have some type of qualification, but no certificate or licence is required to practice aromatherapy. However, there are aromatherapists who specialise in working with elderly people or in care settings, and who are sensitive to different medical conditions or capacities. After all, it\u2019s likely this will be a new and unusual experience for your residents and they might need extra guidance to assist them through the therapy.<\/p>\n

If you would like further reassurance, you can look for aromatherapists that are members of different respected professional bodies such as the Aromatherapy Council<\/a> and International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists<\/a>, which adhere to certain regulations and standards.<\/p>\n

There are around ninety types of essential oils which can be used through diffusers, inhalers, bathing salts, body oils, creams, lotions, facial steamers and hot and cold compress to name a few. Some popular essential oils include:<\/p>\n