Complementary Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine

244 Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine
tured stroking sequences in a set pattern at a set pressure. Please see
resource guide for more information.
Aromatherapy using touch enhances nonverbal communication with
patients. From one to five drops of essential oil are diluted in a teaspoonful
(5 mL) of a cold-pressed vegetable oil, cream, or gel. The amount of
essential oil absorbed from an aromatherapy massage using this dilution
will normally be 0.025–0.1 mL (approx 0.5–2 drops) (15).
CAUTIONS
Aromatherapy is a safe complementary therapy if it is used within set
guidelines. However, blanket use of essential oils is not recommended,
because constant use of the same essential oil may produce sensitivity.
This was reported in a woman who already had sensitivity to synthetic
aromas and who put several drops of essential oil of lavender directly
onto her pillow continuously for several weeks. She slept with the left
side of her face on the area of the pillow on the lavender. After several
weeks, she presented with acute eczema of her left cheek and forehead
(16). She changed the pillow, ceased using lavender, and applied topical
corticosteroids, and the eczema subsided.
Oral administration of essential oils should be avoided, unless the
person is adequately trained, because there have been a few instances of
poisoning from oral use. These fatalities have usually occurred when a
large amount of a specific essential oil, such as eucalyptus, has been
ingested by children (17).
Essential oils should be kept well away from the eyes. If essential oils
get into the eyes, the eyes should be flushed with milk or carrier oil and
then water. Essential oils that are high in phenols are aggressive and
should not be used undiluted on the skin or for long time periods. Use
care with patients who are receiving chemotherapy, because some essential
oils may affect the absorption rate of certain chemotherapeutic drugs.
Some essential oils, such as bergamot and angelica root, are photosensitive
and should not be used topically if the recipient will be subjected
to ultraviolet (UV) light.
Most essential oils have been tested by the food and beverage industry,
because many essential oils are used as flavorings (18). Other research
has been conducted by the perfume industry. Most of the commonly used
essential oils in clinical aromatherapy have been given generally regarded
as safe (GRAS) status. However, essential oils are concentrated and are
generally diluted for topical use. Some essential oils, such as clove and
red thyme, are high in phenols and should never be used undiluted on the