Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the art and science of using pure essential oils for healing and balance. Aromatherapy works by affecting our sense of smell to balance moods, lift spirits and even heal infections. Made from flowers, plants, trees, shrubs and roots, and the peels of fruits, essential oils can be inhaled using a diffuser or applied to your skin in lotions.

About essential oils

Health care professionals use essential oils to help treat a variety of conditions, including headaches, insomnia, immune-system support, insect bites and other skin conditions. At Aurora Health care, we use essential oils to enhance our patients' well-being.

Popular essential oils include:

• Lavender: Is used to alleviate anxiety, depression, pain (as an analgesic) and to treat sleep problems. It’s also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. It can be diffused as a scent or used in compresses, baths or massage.
• Bergamot: Is used to alleviate depression and anxiety, and for sleep disturbances. It can be diffused as a scent or used in compresses or massage.
• Lemon: Is used to increase alertness and combat colds. It’s also antiviral and antiseptic. It can be diffused as a scent to freshen the air.
• Eucalyptus: Is used to treat sinus or muscle pain. Diffused in the air, it provides relief of congestion from colds and the flu. It’s antibacterial, antiviral and analgesic. Aside from diffusion, it’s used in compresses and massages.

Research has shown that this integrative treatment may ease the stress, difficulty sleeping, nausea, pain and other side effects associated with regular medical and cancer care. If you're interested in aromatherapy alongside your treatment, talk to your provider about whether it would be suitable for you. Learn more about aromatherapy as integrative cancer therapy.

Find out more about essential oils [PDF] and their uses.

Have more questions about essential oils? Email us at integrativemedicine@aah.org.

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