Archive for December, 2010
Aromatherapy in Dementia
In a consensus statement recently published by the British Association for Psychopharmacology,1 the use of aromatherapy as an adjunct to the pharmacological treatment of dementia is supported by one of the highest level of scientific evidence – evidence from randomized controlled trials.
A number of recent, controlled studies have shown that aromatherapy (the therapeutic use of pure plant essential oils) can be useful in the management of patients with dementia lavender (Lavandula angustifolia or Lavandula officinalis) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) are two essential oils of particular interest in this area. The aim of the article by Holmes & Ballard,2 summarized here, was to review published reports of the efficacy of aromatherapy for the treatment of behavioural problems in people with dementia.
Tags: consensus statement, lavandula officinalis, lavender lavandula, lavender oil, melissa officinalis, olfactory neurons, placebo effect, randomized controlled trials, sleep patterns, treatment of dementiaRelated posts