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How can aromatherapy help adults with asthma management? Which essential oils to use and what is the overall holistic approach?
In her article "Aromatherapy and Asthma" in IFPA's aromatherapy journal, well-known and experienced aromatherapist Penny Price gives an overview of anti-inflammatory, calming and antispasmodic oils that can help relieve breathing difficulties.
Here is an excerpt of her article:
"When treating a client with asthma a good therapist will always give a full consultation and explore with the client the following areas:
- Environment
- Lifestyle
- Diet
- Stress factors
- Aromatherapy treatment tailored to the individual
The essential oils highlighted in this article are just a few of those that can be used to help asthma. I recommend that you read and research your client's individual symptom pattern before choosing oils to help.
Adults with asthma can usually take the stronger essential oils that we would normally associate with asthma treatment such as hyssop, eucalyptus globulus, peppermint, basil and pine. These oils contain oxides, ketones, alcohols and terpenes to help in the improvement of breathing difficulties.
Methods of treatment include vaporisation, reflex creams for daily treatment on the feet, neat in the crook of the elbow, and body massage if the client's asthma is stress-related.
Hydrolats of Hyssop and German Chamomile can be made into compresses for the chest area or vaporised for inhalation.
Sunflower oil (Helianthus annuus) can be used as a carrier oil to help calm asthma as it contains an ingredient known as inulin as well as vitamins A, B, D, E and F for skin health."
To read the full article or learn more about aromatherapy and asthma, please visit our extensive library at APA. Diploma and Certificate students can borrow books and journals free of charge!
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