Aromatherapy & Asthma, Part 1

Aromatherapy unfortunately does not offer miracle cures that would remove all symptoms overnight and save us from dealing with the real cause of the problem. Nonetheless, in many cases aromatherapy does relieve symptoms.

The psychologically dependant asthma sufferer believes that survival is impossible without the medication. This situation is easily observed when an asthma sufferer suffers shortness of breath, or fear an encroaching asthma attack, and has no inhaler within reach. The stress created by not having the medication immediately at hand tends to worsen the situation.

Asthma sufferers often agree that they have adopted their illness into their lives as a means of communicating emotional states or desires. An integral part of any asthma treatment should therefore to find out what a patient really want to communicate. Often the signals sent by asthma patients express a need for attention or love. They can be a totally different nature, however, and signify the need for more breathing room, personal space or more distance. Perhaps the most important step to healing, or self healing, is for the asthma sufferer to learn to send this signal verbally.

Treating asthma with aromatherapy is a double edged sword. For one, there is the danger that improper or premature treatment will have the opposite result of the intended effects. Thoughtless use of essential oils can trigger strong reactions in some sufferer, even a serious attack. On the other hand, there is the possibility that proper treatment with essential oils significantly aids the healing process.

Treating asthma with aromatherapy starts with familiarizing the sufferer with essential oils and the concept of aromatherapy. This should be gradual and cautious process, especially if the sufferer has never encountered essential oil before.

FIRST PHASE

 We recommend to introduce the sufferer with essential oils whose aroma are widely accepted and has good spasmolytic properties like Lavender and Frankincense.

Method of application are as follows:

1. These oils can be applied topically by diluting 4 drops of French Lavender EO and 4 drops of Frankincense EO with 1 tablespoon of any carrier oil. Massage the dilution to the chest, neck and back;

2. Putting a drop of Frankincense & and French Lavender on a piece of towel paper or handkerchief and inhale 2 to 5 minutes when they felt an asthma attack coming.

3. Diffuse these oils with water inside electronic diffuser in the bedroom close to the patient so they could inhale it while sleeping.

The method could be applied on young children and pregnant. Other oils that harmonize with basic blend of French Lavender and Frankincense are Roman Chamomile, Spikenard or Clary Sage.

The first phase serves to familiarize the sufferer with the natural scents of essential oils as well provide a cautious introduction to the spasmolytic qualities.

SECOND PHASE

The second phase focuses on the introduction of stronger oils more specifically geared to asthma condition. Choices are oils such as Eucalyptus Radiata/ Globulus, Rosemary Cineole or Ravinsara Aromatica. May follow the First Phase methods of application, however we suggest to concentrate on inhalation methods.

 If a patient reacts positively to these stronger measures, a third phase geared toward easing the patient’s specific symptoms can be initiated. We shall discuss this in our next article.

Reference:

Aromatica, A clinical guide to essential oil therapeutic, Volume 1: Principles & Profiles, Peter Holmes Lac, MH

Advances Aromatherapy, the science of essential oil therapy, Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D

The healing intelligence of essential oils, the science of advance aromatherapy, Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D

Clinical aromatherapy, Essential oils in healthcare, Jane Buckle, PhD, RN

Essential Oil Safety, Robert Tisserand & Rodney Young