AROMATHERAPY AND CANCER: USING ESSENTIAL OILS TO SUPPORT THE HEALING PROCESS

AROMATIC EXPLORATIONS 4

AROMATHERAPY AND CANCER: USING ESSENTIAL OILS TO SUPPORT THE HEALING PROCESS

by Katharine Koeppen, RMT/RMTI

CANCER. The very word strikes fear in most of us– for no other illness so profoundly affects the body on so many different levels. Cancer, or the group of diseases we generally refer to as cancer, is the second highest cause of mortality in the United States. The conventional allopathic forms of treatment are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, all of which treat the disease, not the person. Indeed, in the isolation and loneliness of the typical hospital, a cancer patient may often feel as if they are not human. Aromatherapy can help return the humanity to oncological care by addressing the holistic aspects of healing, assisting conventional treatments by addressing the emotional and spiritual aspects of illness. Essential oils are also useful in providing effective, natural and inexpensive methods of managing the physical side effects of malignant disease and treatment, including nausea, fatigue, edema, radiation burns, lingering wounds and incisions. In the case of palliative care, aromatics have a long history of being associated with the soul’s transition into life beyond. Aromatherapy, when appropriately used, can provide tremendous comfort and support to the cancer patient on all levels.

INITIAL DIAGNOSIS AND SUBSEQUENT TREATMENT: USING AROMATHERAPY FOR DIFFICULT EMOTIONS

Upon hearing an initial diagnosis of cancer, many people have said that they were unable to remember anything else that happened in their physician’s office. Immediately, overwhelming feelings of fear, shock and denial flood the mind and body. Essential oils of neroli, rose, tarragon and petitgrain can help overcome the first waves of emotional distress, providing the strength and clarity to marshall a support system for the days and months ahead.

Depression is probably the most common symptom of cancer, brought on as much by drugs and the rigors of post operative treatment as it is by the swirl of emotions surrounding the disease. Prolonged depression alters brain function. Because it has such a rapid and profound effect upon the limbic brain (that primitive part of our nervous system which is the seat of our emotions), aromatherapy offers a gentle and effective method of coping with the blues.

Essential oils of lavender and geranium are particularly balancing to the central nervous system. Rose otto, clary sage, roman chamomile, vetivert and frankincense all help to calm nervous tension and deepen breathing. In addition to supporting the central nervous system, melissa, mandarin, sweet marjoram, myrrh, ylang ylang and neroli are useful in dispelling the anger which frequently accompanies depression. These aromatics can be applied topically, diluted in a carrier oil or gel, and are highly effective when diffused through the air or inhaled directly from a bottle.

For daytime use, the citrus oils, notably bergamot, are excellent in uplifting the emotions and soothing depression. Lemon, lime, grapefruit and sweet orange are best used for daytime relief, while mandarin, which has a sedative effect, is better applied at night for depression-related insomnia. Bath therapy is particularly helpful when sleep may be difficult. Insomnia can be relieved through the use of mandarin, roman chamomile, vetivert,

or geranium; and often, a drop of lavender on the pillowcase before bedtime can provide enough sedation to insure a good night’s sleep. Clary sage, ylang ylang and jasmine have more of a narcotic effect, and are indicated when pain is also present, making these oils extremely useful postsurgically and for palliative care.

USING AROMATICS DURING THE POST OPERATIVE PHASE

Aromatherapy can provide near-miraculous results in healing incision sites, whether they are minor, as in the excision of small basal cell carcinomas, or encompass large areas resulting from major surgeries or skin grafts. Helichrysum italicum, a rapidly acting essential oil, encourages new skin cell production and minimizes scarring. In the form of a hydrolat (floral water), helichrysum can be used almost immediately after surgery to reduce inflam- mation and speed the healing process. Once an incision has stopped draining, this essential oil can be applied diluted in rosehip seed, an expressed oil which is high in antioxidants and known for its skin-regenerating prop- erties. Infused oils of St. John’s wort, calendula and callophyllum can be added to this blend to accelerate healing.

Lavender and frankincense have been successfully used in many small scale studies on wound healing. A recent study in a London oncology clinic used lavender, tea tree and eucalyptus globulus to prevent opportunis- tic infections from taking hold at chemotherapy port sites. The essential oils proved equal in effectiveness to antibiotic washes and iodine sprays conventionally applied to these areas for control of bacterial, viral and fungal infections. The cost of the aromatic preparations in this study were approximately one-eighth that of the conventional medications used on the control group.

Long standing wounds or ulcerated areas, such as bedsores, can be washed with a combination of cicazi- trant, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory hydrosols such as lavender, helichrysum, german chamomile and yarrow. Malodorous wounds can be controlled by applying tiny amounts of lemon or clove to the external side of band- ages, or by diffusing citrus or pine oils through treatment or confinement rooms.

Edema is often a problem after surgery, particularly in the case of mastectomy. Lymphatic drainage massage is one of the most effective treatments for managing lymphedema, and can be combined with topical application of essential oils via compresses or carrier oil blends. In particular, cypress oil excels at mitigating conditions involving fluid retention. When combined with the highly antiseptic “blue oils” (helichrysum, yarrow, tannacetum, german chamomile), infections such as cellulitis are less likely to occur.

ESSENTIAL OILS AND RADIATION TREATMENT

The redness, pain and compromised skin integrity resulting from radiation treatment can be successfully relieved with topical aromatherapy. Essential oil of niaouli (which was used to treat victims of radiation exposure in Chernobyl), applied in a base of roseship seed oil, aloe vera gel, or callophyllum oil, is effective for non- estrogen dependent types of cancer. If the cancer is of the estrogen-dependent variety, lavender or german chamomile can be substituted. Contrary to popular belief, these essential oils do not interfere with the process of radiation itself, although they will affect any alignment marks drawn by radiologists on the skin.

Although the actual radiation sessions are well tolerated by many cancer patients, the crippling fatigue that sets in within a few weeks of beginning treatment is not. The essential oils previously mentioned for insomnia

will help improve quality of sleep, day or night. Stimulating and energizing aromatics such as rosemary verbenone, eucalytus globulus, black spruce, basil and peppermint can be diffused in room air or used during morning showers or baths at times when it is necessary to keep going.

AROMATHERAPY TO COMBAT THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY

Chemotherapy, combined with the depression and stress which accompany prolonged treatment proto- cols, will compromise the body’s immune system. It is essential to keep this system in top shape during treatment and recovery periods, or one may become prone to many infections and other illnesses. Daily topical application of an immune support blend is the best way to prevent depletion of the immune system. A typical blend might contain niaouli, ravensara, tea tree, ho, lavender, spike lavender, savory or various thyme oils. These are all high- ly antiseptic, adding to their ability to keep infection at a distance.

Supporting the adrenal glands is crucial during this time as well, as the adrenals release our “fight or flight” stress hormones. Geranium, basil, pine and spruce tonify the adrenal glands.

Simply inhaling a few drops of ginger, sweet fennel or peppermint oil can quickly offer complete relief from episodes of nausea. These oils can also be used in a light abdominal massage for the same effect. It may be necessary to frequently switch the selection of aromatics used, as smell preferences often change drastically during radiation and chemotherapy treatment. An aroma that is well tolerated one week may be experienced as completely disagreeable the next.

END OF LIFE CARE

Interestingly, aromatherapy first gained notice among medical practitioners in the area of palliative care, where it is now widely accepted. Essential oils can be used in many different ways to vastly improve a terminally ill patient’s quality of life, easing the process of release and transition. Hospice workers have found that aromatherapy provides great comfort to the patient’s family as well.

Essential oils, as previously mentioned, fight opportunistic infections, ease nausea, aid quality sleep, and lift sagging spirits. The use of analgesics such as roman chamomile, clary sage, lavender and sweet marjoram can help in pain management, often reducing the need for allopathic medications. Citrus oils can encourage the appetite and alleviate constipation, a common side effect of opiate drugs.

When using aromatherapy in a hospice environment, the best methods of application are inhalation and light touch applications, often to the hands and feet. Because of the patient’s weakened state, it is necessary to use much smaller amounts of essential oil for optimum effect. Careful attention to an individual’s changing odor preferences is especially important at this time.

Aromatics can play a key role in the spiritual aspects of palliative care. Frankincense, myrrh, spikenard and cypress have all been traditionally used in the process of release and transition. Flower oils and absolutes such as rose, neroli, jasmine and lavender enhance a sense of well being and trust, and assist in resolving issues of guilt and closure. All of these oils can be used in anointing blends to allow a person to pass with respect and dignity.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Although aromatherapy has wide application in cancer support, it is not necessarily safe for all patients at all times. As a natural healing modality, essential oils must be used with respect.

Certain essential oils are not appropriate for use on persons with particular medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or epilepsy. Many essential oils traditionally used for women’s reproductive health issues contain phytoestrogens and phytoprogesterones. At present time, it is not exactly known how these natural plant hormones act in the body, so it is best to avoid them in cases of estrogen-dependent cancer. Strong aromatics such as peppermint are too powerful to be used on many patients in intensive care, and may compromise an already weakened nervous system.

This said, most essential oils, when appropriately used, are safe in most situations. When in doubt, consult with a qualified practitioner.

IN CONCLUSION

Aromatherapist and author Valerie Cooksley, RN, has stated that “hospitals and oncology clinics are inher- ently ‘non-nature-like’ in almost every aspect”. Essential oils usher the natural world into a sterile and intimidating atmosphere, creating an environment conducive to healing. They allow the oft-ignored feminine aspect of nuturing to be present during times of healing crisis, and help provide a sense of optimism and hope through stages of profound change. Aromatics assist us in recovering our wholeness, so that we may stay present, and in that presence, enjoy life in all its richness.

Katharine Koeppen is the founder of Aromaceuticals®, a company which specializes in fine essential oils for use in complementary and alternative healthcare. Katharine maintains a private practice in the Turtle Creek area of Dallas, focusing on European style aromatherapy and somatic-emotional release bodywork. She teaches and lectures on aromatics and healing.

AROMACEUTICALS® Essential Oils from Artisan Distillers

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AROMATHERAPY AND CANCER: USING ESSENTIAL OILS TO SUPPORT THE HEALING PROCESS