Is Aromatherapy Effective for Arthritis?

Ever since Marcel Proust wrote about the ability toessential oils in 97% base is generally regarded as
transport one's emotions via smells in Remembrancesvery effective and safe.
of Things Past, the use of olfaction (smelling)Examples of some oils which have been used to
stimulators has fascinated many people, includingtreat arthritis include:
physicians.Benzoin, Chamomile, Camphor, Cypress, Eucalyptus,
One type of alternative medical treatment isGinger, Juniper, Lavender, Hyssop, and Rosemary.
aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is the use of essentialFew well-controlled studies have been done to
plant oils either massaged into the skin, added toformally test aromatherapy in arthritis. One recent
bath water, inhaled directly or diffused into theuncontrolled observation was made by an orthopedic
surrounding environment.surgeon in Japan.
More conventional physicians are also beginning toDr. Nobumasa Shiba, director of orthopedic surgery at
look into the medical properties of aromatherapy inthe Tokyo Metropolitan Police Hospital, became
the treatment of diseases. There are more than 200interested in aromatherapy as an alternative
oils, which are often used in combination to treattreatment for osteoarthritis in knee joints, which
different problems, including headaches and insomnia.occurs when the cartilage in the joint wears away.
The essential plant oils are obtained from theAbout 1 million people in Japan have the degenerative
flowers, leaves, stems, buds, branches, or roots. Thecondition.
oils are extracted through a variety of methods suchTo test the effectiveness and safety of
as steam distillation or cold-pressing.aromatherapy for patients, Shiba carried out an
When an essential oil is inhaled, the molecules enterexperiment on a group of patients with osteoarthritis
the nose and stimulate the limbic system of the brain.of the knee. Thirty-six patients, aged 40 or older
The limbic system influences emotions and memorieswho had had physical symptoms for more than three
and is complexly linked to other areas such as themonths, were entered into the uncontrolled trial.
adrenal glands, pituitary gland, and hypothalamus.The thirty-six patients massaged lavender oil,
Through these connections, it is possible to regulateeffective for pain, and rosemary camphor oil, to
heart rate, blood pressure, stress, memory, hormoneimprove circulation, into their knees in the morning
balance, and breathing. The essential oils used inand evening for two weeks.
aroma therapy are then theoretically able to haveMore than 75 per cent of the patients said their
physiologic effects that may alter emotions or painsymptoms, including pain, had lessened.
perception.The uncontrolled nature of this study obviously
Essential oils can be toxic when taken internally somakes interpretation suspect.
they should only be administered under the guidanceA form of aromatherapy used by thousands of
of a qualified professional.people in the United States on a daily basis are
Aromatherapy blends for the treatment of arthritismenthol-based topical arthritis rubs.
are usually made from pure essential oils, but alsoAromatherapy needs to be studied more intensely
from hydrosols and -- more recently -- phytols. Forbefore it can be formally recommended as a
application to the skin during massage they need tostandard treatment for arthritis. It does seem to help
be mixed with vegetable oil, a cream base or awith symptoms in some people. There is no evidence
carrier lotion. Essential oils must always be usedit has any effect on slowing the progression of
diluted when applied to the skin. A dilution of 3%arthritis.