Common Essential Oils Used With Alzheimers And Dementia
The essential oils that appear in the research literature the most are Melissa , lavender , rosemary , and sweet orange . These oils may help with improving sleep, decreasing anxiety and agitation, and improving some cognitive function, but other oils may also help, even though they have yet to be considered for formal medical research looking specifically at neurodegenerative diseases. Some essential oils may also remind people of prior events in their lives, supporting quality of life in other ways, making them appropriate for the specific individual for whom they are intended.
Schwan recommends considering Maslows hierarchy of needs when selecting an essential oil for a specific need. In this holistic philosophy, the whole person is considered, and needs everywhere from sleep disturbances, to anxiety, to confusion, to self-esteem can be addressed.
How Essential Oils Can Help People With Dementia Sleep Better
Is there a certain smell that reminds you of home? Is it fresh-baked cookies right out of the oven? Maybe the smell of Chanel No. 5 evokes memories of watching your mom get ready for a big night out.
Scents have been proven to connect with a persons memory, and aromatherapy, or the use of essential oils, has been increasing in popularity when it comes to its effects on those living with Alzheimers disease or other types of dementia.
Read on to learn more about how incorporating aromatherapy into caregiving may help when it comes to your loved ones nighttime routine.
How Frankincense Helped My Mom With Alzheimer’s To Talk
- First, Frankincense is classified as an anti-inflammatory herb. Researchers believe that frankincense can prevent the release of “leukotrienes”, which are compounds that can cause inflammation.
- Second, Frankincense contains “sesquiterpenes”, chemical constituents that help increase the amount of oxygen in the limbic system of the brain. Sesquiterpenes are unique because they have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.
- Third, Frankincense may help to support cellular function due to its cytophylactic properties, which means that it facilitates the regeneration and oxygenation of cells, including brain and skin cells.
“If they could find an agent that would pass the blood-brain barrier, they would be able to find cures for ailments such as Lou Gehrigs disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimers disease, and Parkinsons disease.”
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Diffuser Recipe For Essential Oils For Dementia And Alzheimer’s Disease
Diffuse the essential oils with a simple DIY recipe performed at home. In the following recipe, you need natural ingredients suitable for all skin types. The essential oils for dementia are amazing in combating the symptoms fast. Follow some easy steps and make your blend of oils in a diffuser.
Ingredients:
- Lavender Essential Oil – 5 Drops
- Bergamot Essential Oil – 5 Drops
- Rosemary Essential Oil – 5 Drops
- In a bowl, blend 5 drops of lavender, bergamot, and rosemary essential oil.
- Mix them with a half cup of water.
- Then lit the diffuser and added this blend of oils to it.
- Next, light the diffuser in your premises, and gradually the fragrance of essential oils will spread all over.
The problem of dementia usually occurs in older adults, and heavy medications cause side effects. Therefore, it is always advisable to go for entirely natural products such as essential oils. The essential oils are used in aromatherapy to relax the mind and soul. Try the DIY recipe and diffuse oils to get rid of symptoms of dementia fast.
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Useful Essential Oils For Alzheimers And Dementia
Rosemary has stimulating properties which can aid in improving memory, cognition and mood. It can also be used for symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression.Lemon Balm has an uplifting aroma that benefits focus and memory .Orange supports in creating a pleasant, relaxed feeling and helps to lift the mood . Also good for cognition.Lavender a gentle and calming oil, that relaxes the mind and helps with the symptoms of anxiety and stress.Ginger useful in stimulating the mind as well as improving mental clarity and focus. Also aids with anxiety and stress
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Essential Oils For Alzheimers
Although Essential Oils can’t cure Alzheimers, they can have a big impact on those suffering from this terrible disease, delay the onslaught or make living with the condition a lot more comfortable while at the same time, reduce symptoms and signs of memory loss.
The fact is, because of the way essential oils and aromatherapy impact the brain and brain chemicals, it has been proven that they can ease symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia and have been found to do so without side effects.
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Essential Oils That May Help Those Living With Dementia
Here are oils that have been shown to be effective in treating and controlling different symptoms of dementia:
1. Lavender
Lavender is thought to be calming and able to balance strong emotions. It has also been used to help with depression, anger and irritability, and can help in some cases of insomnia. Lavender can be directly inhaled, used a massage oil or sprayed on linens.
2. Peppermint
Peppermint is an energizer and can be used to stimulate the mind and calm nerves at the same time. Best used in the morning, peppermint oil can be inhaled directly, diffused in a room, used as a massage oil, sprayed in the air or even placed in a bath.
3. Rosemary
Similar to peppermint, Rosemary is an uplifting oil used to stimulate the mind and body. It may even improve cognitive performance and mood. Rosemary has also been known to ease constipation, symptoms of depression and also reinvigorate the appetite. Rosemary oil can be directly inhaled, diffused through a room or used as a spray.
4. Bergamot
Bergamot can be used to relive anxiety, agitation, mild depression and stress. This mood elevating and calming oil can also be used to relieve insomnia. To use bergamot oil, place a few drops in a bath, use as a massage oil, diffuse through a room or use a spray on clothing or linens.
5. Lemon Balm
6. Ylang Ylang
7. Ginger
Have you seen positive effects of essential oils in yourself or a loved one? Which oils worked best? Share your tips with us in the comments below.
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Peppermint Essential Oil For Dementia
Peppermint essential oil is a great energizer. The essential oil calms nerves and stimulates proper brain functioning.
It is an essential oil that can be used anytime in a day to suppress the symptoms of dementia. The essential oil has a minty fragrance that soothes the mind and relaxes the body. In aromatherapy, peppermint essential oil is used to reduce pain, improve mental functions, and reduces wholesome stress.
Tips For Finding Comfort With Emotional Aromatherapy:
- Supplement study habits by diffusing energizing aromas like Rosemary, Peppermint, or Wild Orange blend while studying. Keep the blend on hand when taking a test to support information recall.
- To help maintain mental clarity, mix two drops Rosemary oil with a carrier lotion and rub into hands and inhale deeply.
- Apply one to two drops Frankincense oil to temples and back of neck to support and enhance concentration.
- Apply InTune to the temples and back of neck when doing tasks that require concentration.
- Apply a few drops of Wild Orange and Peppermint to the palms and inhale deeply to promote a sense of clarity.
- To support memory and cognitive health, take four xEO Mega softgels daily.
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Bergamot Essential Oil For Dementia
Bergamot essential oil is a go-to essential oil for all dementia patients. The essential oil helps to work well with memory and reduces agitation, anxiety, depression, and stress from ones mind.
The essential oil is fantastic in relieving the problems of insomnia too. Bergamot essential oil is a natural mood booster and reduces tension and anxiety from within.
How Can Essential Oils Help
The progressively worsening symptoms can be heartbreaking for family members and catastrophic for the sufferer which is why any remedy that can give some form of solace is worth looking into. Many people have found essential oils to be very effective in dealing with some of the symptoms of dementia.
While essential oils are not an absolute cure for dementia, they can do a great deal to improve quality of life. There is already some preliminary scientific research that has demonstrated the ability of certain essential oils to help treat many of the symptoms of the disease.
Certain oils have proven effect for depression, anxiety, restlessness, focus and insomnia all of which are symptoms of Alzheimers and other conditions caused by the onset of dementia.
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Aromatherapy And Aromatic Plants For The Treatment Of Behavioural And Psychological Symptoms Of Dementia In Patients With Alzheimers Disease: Clinical Evidence And Possible Mechanisms
Giacinto Bagetta
Abstract
The treatment of agitation and aggression, typical Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia of Alzheimers Disease , is one of the most complicated aspects of handling patients suffering from dementia. Currently, the management of these symptoms often associated with an increased pain perception, which notably reduces the patients quality of life , relies on the employment of antipsychotic drugs. Unfortunately, the use of these pharmacological agents has some limits: in the long term, they do not result in being equally effective as in the first weeks of treatment and they present important side effects. Therefore, there is growing interest, supported by clinical evidence, in aromatherapy for the control of agitation, aggression, and psychotic symptoms. Some molecular mechanisms have been proposed to explain the behavioural effects of essential oils, as the whole phytocomplex or the single components, but important basic research effort is still needed. For this reason, rigorous preclinical studies are necessary in order to understand the pharmacological basis of aromatherapy in the treatment of BPSDs and to widen the cluster of effective essential oils in pharmacotherapeutic practice.
1. Introduction: Characterization of Alzheimers Disease
2. Strategy for the Management of BPSDs
3. The Antipsychotics
4. Complementary Approach through Aromatherapy: Clinical Evidence and Possible Pharmacological Mechanisms
Melissa officinalis
The Best Essential Oils To Use For Alzheimers
- Bergamot Bergamots bright, cheery, orange scent helps enliven the senses and can also have a big impact on improving memory in some people. It can also help improve overall mood and promote better focus.
- Peppermint Another essential oil that can help improve memory and also make it easier to concentrate is peppermint. Anecdotal evidence is strong with peppermint, and it seems to show marked benefits for those with dementia.
- Chamomile Chamomile can help calm and relax those with dementia. Sometimes, the disease can trigger fear and panic, and this relaxing oil can help make it easier to cope with those moments.
- Lavender Lavender is a calming oil that can help through the difficult moments of Alzheimers. It can also help stimulate certain brain processes and may be able to promote better brain health.
Its worth remembering that these oils havent been completely studied just yet and clinical trial and research are still on going in terms of how they benefit Alzheimers disease. However, there is strong evidence that suggests that the positive mental impact of essential oils means that they are effective at improving mental health. As such, they could help with Alzheimers disease especially when paired with direct medical care and treatment.
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Serious Public Health Considerations
Dementia occurs when brain nerve cells become damaged. Being that this affects several areas of the brain, people experience dementia quite differently. There are various types of dementias, and they are often categorized by the part of the brain damaged and whether the condition worsens. Alzheimers disease, the most common cause of dementia in seniors over 65 years old is, has been researched extensively and essential oils can be of great help.
The most recent data tells us that Alzheimers disease, the most common type of dementia, is the #6 leading cause of death in the United States. By the time you read this sentence 2 people will have already been diagnosed with dementia. Globally, more than 10 million will be diagnosed each year, and this is expected to double by 2025! Nearly 50 million worldwide are affected and a majority of people are classified as low to middle income. However, dont think that the rich are immune as nearly 40% of all cases affect middle to high-income earners.
Some other facts you may not know about Alzheimers include:
The Oshadhi Oils That We Offer Are Among The Best And Purest Available Anywhere In The World
Many essential oils have a positive affect for people with Alzheimers disease
Impeccable care is taken in the growing, extracting, filling, and packing of these essential oils. All Oshadhi products are completely hand-crafted, from farm to bottling, without the use of electro-magnetic machinery to avoid disruption of their exquisite properties. We list only a few products that have been found specifically to aid Alzheimers and dementia symptoms, but we can make available a full line of aromatherapy oils and products. Contact us if you are interested in something related to aromatherapy that is not offered in our store, or just for information to satisfy your curiosity.
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Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Ylang ylang essential oil is another great choice especially when it comes to calming the mind, combatting stresses, anxiety and insomnia. Unlike peppermint or rosemary, it does not have stimulating abilities and is unlikely to improve focus and concentration.
However, when used later in the day it can help considerably with many of the symptoms of dementia and Alzheimers.
Lavender Essential Oil For Dementia
Lavender essential oil is one of the popular oils used to cure the issues of dementia. This essential oil is very effective and lessens the symptoms very fast.
Lavender essential oil fights anxiety, depression, and improper brain functioning. This essential oil is used in a diffuser and relaxes the mind completely. Lavender essential oil produces a decrement that helps with working memory and impaired reactions that improve memory in the brain.
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Effect On Learning And Memory
Natural product based drugs including EOs and pure compounds are reported for effectiveness in numerous diseases . Several studies regarding the psychophysiological features of odors have been reported, though their cognitive functions are not fully implicit till now . We also discussed several beneficial aspects of EOs in Alzheimer and dementia section using different memory models. In a study, Shimizu et al. reported the effect of EOs from Eucalyptus globulus Labill. and Lavandula angustifolia Mill. on sustained attention in a vigilance task. In the lavender EO treated groups reaction time was significantly reduced in comparison to control group. Results of this study revealed that subjects treated with lavender EO sustained attention during prolong and exigent exercises. In a chronic study, the same group reported that sedative odors like lavender are more useful than stimulating odors in situations of tough exercises, whereas, too much alertness can harm vigilance. Moreover, stimulating odors were found more useful in coping less harsh tasks as they keep the subjects alert.
Can Aromatherapy Help Alzheimers Disease
The Research Says Yes
There has recently been an upsurge in attention over the use of aromatherapy for Alzheimers disease. Several essential oils are proving effective for treating symptoms of dementia including anxiety, sleep problems, and even memory and cognitive function. Some recent findings: Lavender and lemon balm reduce anxiety and agitation. Peppermint can stimulate the appetite and support memory. Bergamot calms mood, fights depression, and aids sleep. Rosemary actually improves memory and cognition: there is clinical evidence for this! But I believe that research into the benefits of aromatherapy for Alzheimers is just beginning.
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The Effectiveness Of Rosemary To Prevent Cognitive Decline
Rosemary oil is a stimulating essential oil. Known for being a memory booster, rosemary essential oil is used to prevent cognitive decline and Alzheimers Disease . Alzheimers is a neurological condition characterized by progressive memory loss and declination of cognitive functions. Nearly 25% of people over the age of 80 have these symptoms. According to recent studies and a work published by Mark MOSS , rosemary proves to play an important role in maintaining cognitive functions such as concentration, memory, and attention.
Rosemary: A Remedy That Has Already Proven Itself
Over the ages, Rosmarinus Officinalis has been well-known in Provence, France and in neighboring regions. Even Hippocrates often prescribed rosemary for its effects, and scholars in ancient Greece often put sprigs of rosemary in their hair. William Shakespeare also mentioned that rosemary was helpful for memory .
Recent work suggests that rosemary helps concentration problems and helps prevent neurodegenerative diseases. Studies show that Rosmarinic acid has protective effects on animal cells that were exposed to toxic effects of a beta-amyloid injection.
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What Can Be Done To Help Alzheimers
As mentioned above, treatment is ineffective in terms of reversing the damage that Alzheimers causes to the brain. Todays medications focus on trying to control and prevent further loss, as well as managing the symptoms. But along with the basic, professional medical care that patients receive, science is finding a lot of additional benefits often in unexpected places.
Essential oils are a perfect example of this, and they can indeed have a big impact on those with this disease. Its important to note that essential oils will not cure Alzheimers outright, but what they can do is help those living with the disease do so more comfortably while reducing symptoms and signs of memory loss. Its so promising that even some clinical trials are being performed looking into the impact of aromatherapy on dementia in particular, essential oils and their impact on Alzheimers disease.