1. AROMATHERAPY For Home Care Nurses

2. WHY USE ESSENTIAL OILS?
Fragrances may smell good but do not have the same kind of chemistry as
essential oils, many are made out of petrochemicals and do not have the
influence on our immune systems that phytochemicals have.
Fragrances may help with mood if they remind someone of some pleasant
experience in life, but plant essential oils activate anti-inflammatory
immune reactions in the body, or stimulate production of endorphins, or
promote cell regeneration, depending on the essential oil.
 Natural, organic essential oils are safer than fragrances and they are powerful medicines.
 Plant medicines work with the body, not against it, if used prudently. Humans share at
least 24% of DNA with plants, our immune systems recognize plant parts as self,
therefore are less likely to trigger allergies.
 Aromatherapy feels good and is good for humans and the planet.

3. SAFE USE OF ESSENTIAL OILS
The most important thing we can do as helping professionals is to do no harm. The improper use of
medications, food, and plant materials can harm people!
1. Always dilute essential oils before applying to the skin.
2. Know your oils. It is better to use only one or two oils and know them well, than to use ten oils and
use them when they are not indicated. Do not use stimulating oils for sleep or sedating oils to wake
up!
3. Know your client. Essential oils can trigger sensitivity in people who are sensitive to plants related
to the plant that made the oil. Test for sensitivity on people with multiple allergies.
4. Citrus oils are photosensitizing to varying degrees, avoid on skin exposed to sunlight.
5. Keep out of reach of children. Dose is relative to body weight. Infants have greater surface area to
body mass and should use less body oil, only use chamomile or lavender under 2 years old, 0.5%.
6. Use cautiously with liver disease. The liver metabolizes essential oils.
7. Avoid irritating mucus membranes, dilute and avoid lips and eyes.
8. Avoid overexposure, may lead to nausea, mix oils in well ventilated areas.

4. MASSAGE AND BODY OILS
Dilution
Add 5-6 drops of essential oil (EO)
per ounce carrier oil (1-2 drops EO
per 10ml carrier oil) for a 1%
concentration blend.
For chronic conditions and children,
use 1% dilution.
For adults with new conditions, 2-
3% dilution is ok, may be requested
if client cannot smell the blend as
strongly as desired.
Carrier oils
Pressed oils, like olive, apricot, or jojoba, are
preferred over heat or solvent extracted oils.
Solvents are likely to cause sensitivity.
Apricot: pressed from the kernel of the apricot
pit, this oil is lighter than olive oil, and is
nutritious to the skin, suitable for massage oils.
Olive: the greener the oil, the more acidic it is.
Olive oil is great for dry skin, and can be stored
unrefrigerated for up to a year.
Jojoba: actually a liquid wax, the most stable of
the carriers, is great for extending the shelf life
of other oils, and is similar to sebum, making it
great for facial blends.
Black cumin: also known as “black seed oil” has
immune boosting molecules, reduces
bronchospasms, dilates bronchioles, and inhibits
histamine.

5. APPLICATIONS
Body oil
Massage oil
Bath
Compress
Inhalant
Foot bath
Room spray
Mouthwash
1-2% dilution in carrier oil.
1% dilution in carrier oil.
3-10 drops per tub depending on the irritant potential of the oil.
5 drops per cup of water.
3-5 drops in a bowl of hot water.
5-10 drops per gallon of water.
5-10 drops per 4 ounces of water.
1 drop per cup of water.

6. INDICATIONS
1. Pain: use massage oils, body oils, or compress, directly to painful
area. May use in bath or inhalation for relaxation to decrease pain.
2. Infection: use compress, mouthwash, inhalation, foot bath.
3. Insomnia: use inhalation (may put essential oil on a pillow or
handkerchief), massage oil, or body oil.
4. Depression: use inhalation, body oils, massage oil.
5. ADHD: use inhalation (easiest to control the dose).
6. Respiratory problems: steam inhalation and massage oil.
7. Skin conditions: body oils.
8. Digestion: inhalation or massage oil to abdomen.

7. individual oils and their use

8. CINNAMON LEAF
Good for digestion, inhibits h. pylori, steadies GI movement.
Destroys free radicals, preservative.
Relieves pain by warming skin and increasing blood flow.
Irritating, use low concentration, avoid mucus membranes.
The leaf is more irritating than bark, stronger concentration of
eugenol, making it more potent for pain relief.
Useful for: headaches, indigestion, bacterial, viral, and especially
fungal infections, muscle cramps, and pain.

9. CLOVE BUD
Mouthwash popular for relieving tooth pain, due to it’s strong
antiseptic properties and pain reducing warming quality.
Kills mouth bacteria including h. pylori, and kills intestinal parasites.
Stops nausea, aids digestion, stimulates digestive juices and bile.
Relieves colds, flu, and bronchial congestion.
Slows formation of blood clots.
Inhibits reproduction of herpes simplex.
Dilute and dab on warts, scabies, and athlete’s foot.
Stimulating property may help relieve nervousness or mental fatigue.

10. EUCALYPTUS, RADIATA
Also known as Grey Eucalyptus.
Cooling and anti-inflammatory, antiseptic.
Used commonly for ear, nose, and throat complaints as a steam
inhalation.
Similar to Vicks vapor rub, can be mixed in a crème and applied to
the chest for congestion.
Antiviral on chicken pox sores and herpes simplex.
Increases energy, counters shock and stress.

11. LAVENDER
Uplifting, cheering, confidence builder.
Familiar to many elderly people here, used for bathing, to prevent
insomnia.
Relieves muscle spasms and nervousness.
The most gentle essential oil, can be used neat.
Heals burns.
Stimulates cell regeneration.
Balancing: energizes the tired, relaxes the high strung.
Affects autonomic and sympathetic nervous systems.

12. ORANGE, SWEET
Often used in cleaning products for its uplifting effect on mood.
Good for congested lymph and high blood pressure.
Opens and detoxifies.
Sedative fragrance reduces anxiety.
Photosensitizing, do not use on skin exposed to strong sun.
Good for oily hair and complexions.
Reduces cellulite when used in a massage oil.

13. PEPPERMINT
Sweetens breath and treats indigestion, nausea, and irritable bowel
syndrome.
Used in Mexico for psychosis, called Hierba Buena, the good herb.
Dual hot and cold action good for pain relieving blends.
Cures headaches for some people, when applied to temples.
Stimulates oil production in skin, good for dry skin.
Clears mental fog.

14. ROSEMARY
Aids memory. Stimulates nervous system.
Strong antiseptic and antioxidant, kills bacteria and inhibits viruses.
Good for lung congestion, canker sores, and sore throats.
Eases pain of rheumatism used in a massage oil.
Used for dry skin and varicose veins.
Prevents dizziness and nightmares.
Can increase blood pressure because it is so stimulating.

15. TEA TREE
Commonly used for fungal infections including thrush and candida
(yeast).
Is used in toothpaste and mouthwash for reducing oral bacteria.
Boosts immune response, reduces tumors, decreases prostaglandins.
Reduces burns from radiation treatments and sunburn.
Kills mites and ticks.
Emotionally strengthening.

16. YLANG YLANG
Sedative, antispasmodic, lowers blood pressure.
Considered an euphoric oil, good for depression.
Enhances sensory perception.
Relaxes while energizing.
Used so commonly by massage therapists, massage therapists have
started to be sensitized to the oil.

17. POST TEST
Describe a situation in which you would recommend an essential oil
application for a client or yourself and why you would choose a
certain oil.