Administration Routes of Aromatherapy
Just a disclaimer in advance, this post is mainly intended for informational purposes. If you really want to make use of aromatherapy, I strongly recommend that you contact an aromatherapist who has also studied to practice the profession. Please do not hesitate to contact me.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a complementary medicine method. Aromatherapy is the treatment of humans (or animals) using plant aromatics. Usually these are essential oils, but other plant substances are also used, such as fatty plant oils (which are also needed to dilute essential oils), CO2 extracts and hydrolates.
In the use of aromatherapy we start from the different ingredients that together form an essential oil and the effects they have on the body and psyche. They have this effect both because of their smell and the direct connection that the olfactory system has with the brain, and because of the ingredients that are absorbed through the skin or through the lungs in the case of inhalation. The ingredients enter the bloodstream and can travel throughout the body and influence various systems within it.
There are different routes of administration such as dermal (via the skin), internal and via inhalation. When applied to the skin, you can think of creams, massage or in the bath. In the case of internal use, for example, it can be taken via a capsule or suppositories. Inhalation can be done by means of a spray or via an inhalation stick. And when, for example, a massage is taking place, you naturally also inhale the oil.
Dermal
As mentioned earlier, the dermal application of aromatherapy is the application to the skin of an aromatherapeutic product. This can be done by the client him/herself in the form of a cream, bodyoil or bath. But it can also be done by the therapist or caregiver in the form of, for example, a compress or massage.
Although a massage, especially in combination with aromatherapy, can have a very relaxing effect and can significantly reduce stress (Montibeler, et al., 2018), in the case of autism it is very important to discuss this with the client and yourself. To keep observing. Due to the sensitivity to stimuli, not all autistic people experience it as pleasant to be touched and certainly a massage can be too much.
Inhalation
Another important route of administration within aromatherapy is through inhalation. Inhalation also plays a role with dermal use because the smell of the product also reaches the nose. More specific use can be made of inhalation by using diffusion, whereby the molecules are released into the air so that they can be inhaled throughout the room. A softer form of this is by means of a scent stone (a porous stone on which the essential oil is dropped). In this way the odor molecules are released into the air more gradually and in my experience this is often experienced as less intense. Another, more personal, way is through an inhalation stick. This way, any other people or animals in the area will not be bothered by the smell and the client can take it out him/herself if necessary. This also gives a bit of autonomy.
Internal
Finally, there is the internal application of aromatherapy. NEVER DO THIS YOURSELF AT HOME! Internal applications should ALWAYS be done under the guidance of a qualified aromatherapist. There are a lot of contraindications and the dosage is very specific.
What you can think of with internal application is either by mouth, anal or vaginal. For example, you could use capsules to swallow, but hydrolates can also be used here. Anal and vaginal you are soon at the mercy of suppositories.
That was it for today. For now, goodluck with the next steps on your bridge and I wish you all the happiness and an amazing rest of your day.
❤ Eva
Sources
Montibeler, J., Domingos, T. d., Braga, E. M., Gnatta, J. R., Kurebayashi, L. F., & Kurebayashi, A. K. (2018). Effectiveness of aromatherapy massage on the stress of the surgical center nursing team: a pilot study. Universidade Estadual Paulista; Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu. São Paulo, Brazilië: Rev Esc Enferm USP. doi:10.1590/S1980-220X2017038303348
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