Complementary Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine

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242 Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine cerebral cortex, arranged into 53 regions and 35 associated tracts. The limbic system also receives most sensory input and passes it on to the voluntary and involuntary motor centers. Gatti and Cayola (9) noted that odors produced an immediate effect on respiration, pulse, and blood pressure and, therefore, concluded that odors had, by a reflex action, produced a dramatic effect on the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS). Nearly 80 yr later, Singewald et al. (10) found that the locus coeruleus (situated in the limbic system) played a vital role in conditioned fear and inescapable shock. The amygdala and the hippocampus, parts of the limbic system, are particularly important in aroma processing. The amygdala is believed to play a pivotal role in processing emotion, particularly the control of aggression, and in the formation of emotional memory. The amygdala also governs emotional response and affects survival behavior, because it is intimately responsible with a sensation of fear. Diazepam (valium) is believed to reduce the effect of external emotional stimuli by increasing gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)-containing inhibitory neurons in the amygdala. Lavandula angustifolia (true lavender) has a similar effect on the amygdala, producing a sedative effect that is similar to diazepam (11). The hippocampus is where molecules in an aroma trigger learned memory and is involved in the formation and retrieval of explicit memories (12). The hippocampus is believed to be the storage area for new experiences before they become permanent memories that are then thought to be stored in the cerebral cortex. Smell is important to quality of life, beginning with a newborn baby’s identification of its mother and continuing into old age, where studies have shown that the depression of residential elderly was reduced with fruit and flower aromas. The effect of odors on the brain has been mapped using computergenerated topographics. Brain electrical activity maps (BEAM) indicate how subjects, who are linked to an electroencephalogram (EEG), psychometrically rated the odors presented to them. Smells can have a psychological effect even when the aroma is below the level of human awareness. Provided the olfactory nerve is intact, aromas will affect the brain even if the subject is anosmic. CONTEMPORARY USE Essential oils can be absorbed into the bodies through olfaction, applied topically or taken internally (13). The components within an essential oil find their way into the bloodstream regardless of application method (13). Inhaled aromas have the fastest effect, although components such
Chapter 15 / Aromatherapy and CVD 243 as linalol (found in lavender) have been absorbed through massage and detected in the blood within 20 min (14). The method of application depends on the time allowed, the desired outcome, the chemical components within the essential oil, and the patient’s psychological needs. The effects of inhaled aromas do not last as long as the effect of topically applied aromas. However, it is difficult to analyze exactly what impact touch has in aromatherapy. Inhalation One of the simplest methods of application is direct inhalation. This means an essential oil is directly targeted to the patient. From one to five drops of essential oil are placed on a face tissue and inhaled for 5–10 min. This method is particularly useful for nausea. Indirect inhalation includes the use of burners, nebulizers, and vaporizers that are heat, battery, or electrically operated and may include the use of water. Larger, portable aroma systems are available to control the release of essential oils on a commercial scale into rooms up to 1500 square feet. This is similar to environmental fragrancing, using synthetics, which is a common practice in hotels and department stores. Indirect inhalation can be useful for mood enhancement, stress reduction, and infection control. Topical Applications Essential oils can be used effectively in a compress. Add 4–13 drops of essential oil to a small basin (6 fl oz) of warm water. Soak a gauze swab in the mixture, wring out the swab, and apply it to the affected area (contusion or abrasion). Then cover the compress with plastic wrap to retain moisture. If a compress is being applied to a slow-healing wound, dilute the essential oils in a cold-pressed vegetable oil to prevent the wound from debraiding each time the compress is replaced. Essential oils are absorbed into and through the skin through diffusion, in which the fat layer acts as a reservoir before the components in the essential oils reach the bloodstream. There is some evidence that massage or hot water enhances the absorption of the essential oils’ components. The soothing effects of aromatherapy can be enhanced with the “m” technique ® , a recognized, registered method of touch being used by nurses in the United States that is developed and published by the author (15). This method of touch is quite different from massage, and it has proved useful in critical care settings, especially immediately before extubation, or before invasive procedures, such as cardiac catheterization. The technique, which is simple to learn and quick to do, uses struc-
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Complementary and Alternative Cardi
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CONTEMPORARY CARDIOLOGY CHRISTOPHER
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© 2004 Humana Press Inc. 999 River
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vi Preface physician or other healt
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viii Contents 10 Massage Therapy an
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x Contributors ERIN L. OLIVO, PhD
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Chapter 1 / CAM and CVD 1 1 Complem
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Chapter 1 / CAM and CVD 3 patients
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Chapter 1 / CAM and CVD 5 The crite
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Chapter 1 / CAM and CVD 7 disease c
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Chapter 1 / CAM and CVD 9 analyses,
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Table 2 Type and Quantity of Dietar
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Page 291 and 292: Index 279 INDEX A N-Acetylcysteine
Page 293 and 294: Index 281 taurine studies, 106 Conj
Page 295 and 296: Index 283 Homeopathic medicine, see
Page 297 and 298: Index 285 funding of studies, 148 g
Page 299: Contemporary Cardiology COMPLEMENTA
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