However, in light of the impressive advances in medical technological research, the holistic practitioner must endeavor to safeguard a unified intention and supportive treatment protocol. Dealing with cancer, as with all disease states, one must appeal to the holistic viewpoint, considering the bio-psycho-social-spiritual aspects of the person. "Treat the person, not the disease" is the aphorism to adopt following the precedent set forth by Hippocrates, "First do no harm." Part of a holistic assessment includes the patient's diet, digestion, sleep, support system, and the condition of the heart, mind, and soul. Aromatherapy support in cancer treatment is just one adjunct of a multidimensional approach. Aromatherapy excels in the remediation of infectious states, improving immune response and regulating neurohormonal imbalances as well as having a positive effect on the psycho-emotional state. Considering this, aromatherapy has much to offer and a wide application in the care of the person challenged with cancer. It also incorporates the use of essential oils with one or more complementary therapies such as massage, hydrotherapy, acupressure, etc. to increase the essential oil’s benefit to the recipient. Today, as never before, the patient and practitioner have an abundance of safe and supportive methods of healing available to them. It can be said that we stand amidst the best of all worlds. Aromatherapy, together with other effective complementary therapies, is customized into individual prescriptions for healing mind, body, and soul. In addition, holism, from a larger perspective, relates to the multidisciplinary team approach. Besides the patient and family members, the health team works together for the benefit of the patient: nurse, oncologist, family practitioner, naturopath, aromatherapist, pastoral caregiver, social worker, dietician, friends, and other caregivers. Hospitals and outpatient oncology clinics are inherently non-nature-like in almost every aspect, justified by the presentation of a false sense of sterility within their environments. This description epitomizes what Paolo Rovesti referred to when he described the suppression of scent in society and its detrimental effect on individual identity. When personal identity, protection, and empowerment are nonexistent, patients find themselves in environments directly opposite from what they need in a health crisis. In traditional oncology, the characteristic mindset is to lead in the war against cancer, and the weaponry used is an arsenal of cytotoxic chemicals and radiation. What is desperately missing in many obsolete hospitals and outpatient clinical settings is the feminine principle to direct the patient closer to a healthful state. The feminine aspect would strengthen rather than attack, promote nurturance instead of survival, and substitute pleasure for pain and personal liberty for total dependence. Ultimately, the aim is to assist and support the person with cancer in making informed decisions regarding the following areas to improve overall health and well-being: creating a healthy lifestyle, supporting healthy relationships, and purifying the environment (detoxify physiological terrain and purify external environs). An improved attitude, diminished side effects, and an increase in energy will result in health promotion on all levels. Aromatherapy and other healing strategies are integrated to increase this vital energy. Equilibrium must be restored for the body to heal itself both on physical and psycho-emotional-spiritual levels. Due to the disturbance in the psycho-spiritual body, aromatherapy can be of principal importance. Essential oils for lifestyle and behavior modification and use in meditation and prayer are a few examples. Herbal medicine is directed toward the underlying causes, such as stimulation of the immune system and promotion of detoxification, in addition to the provision of symptomatic relief. There are several excellent herbal formulae available, as well as single botanicals used for the above objectives. In addition to herbal medicine, there are numerous other treatment options utilized in natural-based cancer eradication, such as biofrequency machines, enzymatic nutritional therapy, and intensive detoxification protocols. Comprehensive aromatherapy treatment is based on continual assessment. Life itself is a dynamic process and ever changing, therefore the most effective treatment plan will also be pliant. Note that the goal is not to simply improve patients’ health condition and tolerance in order to surrender to and become dependent upon the cancer treatment. Rather, the holistic practitioner or caregiver should attempt to awaken them into becoming whole, interdependent, and spiritual beings experiencing a human provocation. From the mind/body/spirit perspective, there are psychological stressors, physical symptomology, and subjective perceptions of spiritual well-being. The psyche includes, but is not limited to, mental tension, anxiety, fear, depression, feelings of isolation, etc. The sedating effects of essential oils to the central nervous system will prove beneficial, as will the euphoric essences, along with the power of thought and belief, promotion of emotional release, and reduction of stress. Tension, stress, anxiety, and fear were reported as the most common reasons for aromatherapy referral in a hospital study in England. The study concluded that aromatherapy massage reduced patients’ psychological distress and improved symptoms related to cancer treatment. Strategic essential oils to use for the alleviation of stress and enhancement of relaxation are Roman chamomile, frankincense, neroli, lavender, sweet marjoram, rose, and sandalwood. Herbal infusions and flower essence therapy are also strongly encouraged as part of the holistic approach to positively affect the psychological state of the individual. In the physical realm, one will observe symptoms such as insomnia, lack of energy, pain, nausea, skin integrity impairment, secondary infection, and oral mucous membrane alteration. There is often weight loss due to decreased appetite and anorexia, which may or may not be a direct result of the tumor. A decreased enjoyment of food and early satiety due to altered tastes and sensations, especially to sweetness, are other common complaints. Ulceration of oral and digestive mucosae caused by chemotherapy can be lessened with aloe, which protects against inflammation. Goldenseal promotes healing of mucosal membranes and acts as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial. A good homemade mouthwash will prove very helpful, and can be tailored to the specific symptom (e.g. viral vs. fungal infection). Mild to moderate nausea is a major side effect from chemotherapy, and may be prevented entirely if ginger is taken in tea or capsule form prior to treatment. The chief active agent THC (9-tetrahydrocannabinol) in cannabis, available by prescription as Marrinol, has been reported in clinical studies to have an antiemetic action in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. There are several reliable essential oils for preventing or decreasing the nausea caused by cytotoxic drugs. The most widely used are ginger, peppermint, and fennel. (Use caution with peppermint in topical application, as it is known to cause skin irritation if used in strong dilution.) These oils can be prepared for inhalation or applied in a massage lotion. Acupressure point Pe6 (inside wrist) has been very beneficial with both of the above applications. Last but not least, spiritual well-being is always deeply affected. The patient's perceptions of comfort, independence, quality of life, hope, inner peace, and the presence or absence of the nature/universal aspect are compromised and must be addressed. Intentional and caring use of massage or comfort touch conveys worthiness and nurturing. Essential oils can be successfully incorporated with guided imagery as an anchor in chakra and energy body balancing, together with color and sound therapy, to create profound alterations in spiritual states. Union with nature is not to be discounted in the uninspiring, quasi-sanitary clinical environment. Fresh-cut fragrant flowers, living clean-air plants, ambient use of aromatherapy, and nature art should all be primary additions to the patient's room or outpatient setting. Essential oils that lift the spirits, increase feelings of well-being, and bring light into the spiritual body are worthy of inclusion. Two notable "carriers of light" are eucalyptus and grapefruit. Euphoric and antidepressant oils such as the florals are highly desirable for these intentions, and include neroli, lavender, ylang-ylang, rose, and jasmine. Supportive care also adopts a sense of acceptance, caring and support as well as a sincere respect of the patient’s value system and spiritual practices. Essential oils and deep breathing practices that promote relaxation, centering, and oxygenation are of prime importance as well. Some of the essences for spiritual union that can be used with great success are frankincense, helichrysm, elemi, galbanum, and spikenard. The primary pursuit in caring for people with cancer is to alleviate human suffering in all aspects of life discussed thus far. The first step in this pursuit is to empower them to take responsibility for their own personal health and to use essential oil therapy and other natural and supportive regimes to create health. I encourage you to be facilitators, educators, and "beacons of light" to guide them, supporting and creating the optimal circumstances for them to heal themselves. Otherwise, one could argue that true constitutional healing had not taken place, but only a superficial, asymptomatic, transitory state. The perpetual intent is individualism and healing of mind, body, and soul. As a former oncology nurse, I have observed cancer to be one of the most challenging of diseases to overcome for a great number of patients; however, it has also been perceived as a catalyst for personal growth and healing. In reaching beyond one's physical limitations and questioning the meaning of life and mortality, it is most likely here on a soul level, within the realm of trusting possibility, that one attains inner peace and enhanced quality and longevity of life. Valerie Cooksley, R.N., cofounder of The Institute of Integrative Aromatherapy, has authored several books on aromatherapy, including Aromatherapy: A Lifetime Guide to Healing with Essential Oils (Prentice Hall, 1996). Ms. Cooksley provides education for health professionals and consultation services for healthcare facilities. To contact her, call (425) 557-0805, e-mail <Valerie@Aroma-RN.com>, or visit <http://www.Aroma-RN.com/>. |
Cancer is the second-largest cause of death in the United States following heart disease. More cancers are being detected early enough to cure thanks to newer diagnostic imaging and computer technologies. The present-day standard of treatment methods include chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and transplantation (e.g. stem cells), with current research being conducted in areas such as gene-based therapy, monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and angiogenesis.