Terpenes in Hospitals: Clinical Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the practice of using inhaled essential oils for therapeutic purposes, and it is gaining recognition in modern healthcare settings. While some may dismiss the potential benefits of terpenes and essential oils, there is a growing movement to incorporate them into hospital environments, particularly for acute care and symptom management. Known as clinical aromatherapy, this alternative terpene therapy is gaining popularity and proving to be beneficial for various healthcare treatments, especially among nurses! This includes inpatient and outpatient care, managing pain, nausea, anxiety, depression, stress, and insomnia. Let's explore the many uses of terpenes and aromatherapy in healthcare!

Clinical Aromatherapy

Clinical aromatherapy has become a rising trend in integrative medicine, offering a range of benefits in hospitals. It is a valuable tool for symptom management, enhancing general well-being, and addressing specific needs. Essential oils are often used to manage pre-operative anxiety and have benefits in many areas, including oncology, palliative care, respiratory clinics, wound care (to eliminate odours), hospice, and end-of-life care. Implementing aromatherapy in hospitals involves different methods, like aroma patches and personal diffusers, and often hospitals will employ certified aromatherapists who have undergone specialized training to ensure the safe and effective use of terpene therapy.

Physiological effects

One fascinating aspect of aromatherapy is the physiological effects it elicits through the inhalation of terpenes. Terpenes are the aromatic compounds found in essential oils, and they have been studied for their ability to affect heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, memory, and hormone levels. By inhaling terpenes, the body's various systems can be positively impacted, creating a holistic approach to wellness. Basically, inhaled terpenes have therapeutic effects on all systems of the body!

Pain Management

Studies have shown that using aromatherapy as a complementary intervention can have beneficial effects on pain severity, mood, and overall quality of life and can often help reduce a patient's intake of pain medications. Post-surgical patients, in particular, can benefit from the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of many terpenes found in essential oils such as myrcene and linalool. 

Anxiety

Anxiety is another area where aromatherapy has become extremely useful, especially in a high-stress environment like a hospital! Several studies have investigated the use of aromatherapy to reduce anxiety in patients in the perioperative period. For example, the use of lavender or lavandin essential oil, specifically high in the terpene linalool, was found to significantly lower anxiety levels during the transfer into the operating room. In some cases, lavender oil has also alleviated anxiety levels and decreased fatigue in dialysis patients. Other essential oils, such as Rose Rosa damascena, Bitter Orange Citrus aurantium, Peppermint Mentha piperita, and Chamomile Matricaria recutita, have been studied for their ability to reduce anxiety related to medical procedures. 

Nausea

When it comes to managing nausea, research supports the use of essential oils in managing post-operative nausea and vomiting, as well as other gastrointestinal issues like dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome. Ginger and lavender oils, in particular, have been found to be effective in reducing post-operative nausea and vomiting.

Essential Oils

Now, let's take a closer look at some familiar terpenes in specific essential oils and their potential benefits in hospital settings.

Pine Pinus sylvestris 

Derived from the pine tree's needles, pine essential oil is rich in pinene and known for its uplifting and mood-enhancing properties. It has been used to treat post-surgery nausea and vomiting and possesses analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties. Pine essential oil is also a bronchodilator that can assist in opening the lungs and air pathways, act as an expectorant, and soothe nerves.

Black pepper Piper nigrum 

This essential oil has analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, aphrodisiac, digestive, and circulatory tonic properties. It can help reduce fever and pain, act as a rubefacient, and stimulate various bodily functions. Black pepper is high in myrcene, a familiar cannabis terpene for pain management and insomnia. 

Lavender Lavandula angustifolia 

Lavender is a very popular essential oil known for its calming and soothing properties. It has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antispasmodic effects. Lavender can help calm the nervous system, lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and pain sensations, act as a sedative, and aid in wound healing. It is safe on all skin types and can be safely used in aromatherapy to treat children and older adults. 

Mandarin Citrus reticulata 

Mandarin essential oil is typically cold-pressed from the peel and rind of the mandarin orange. Rich in the terpene limonene, it has analgesic, antidepressant, antiseptic, central nervous system tonic, deodorant, digestive tonic, and immunity-boosting properties. Mandarin oil can also help reduce anxiety and fevers.

Holistic Healing

Aromatherapy has become a valuable practice in various areas of the hospital. It soothes fear and anxiety in pediatric units, encourages discussion in psychiatric care, alleviates restlessness and sleeplessness in ICU settings, addresses sleep disturbances in outpatient care, enhances comfort in palliative and hospice units, reduces anxiety in the perioperative setting, and provides solace for expectant mothers during labour. This holistic approach complements traditional medical care, offering patients relaxation, emotional support, and relief, emphasizing the potential for integrative holistic healing in healthcare settings.

Endless Benefits in Healthcare

Incorporating clinical aromatherapy in hospital settings allows patients to benefit from the therapeutic properties of essential oils. Whether it's managing pain, reducing anxiety, alleviating nausea, or promoting better sleep, the potential applications of aromatherapy are vast. Patients can experience relief and improved well-being by carefully selecting and inhaling specific essential oils.

Using terpenes and aromatherapy expands traditional medicine, providing a more comprehensive approach to patient care and wellness. Terpenes can treat physical symptoms but also support emotional and psychological well-being. By incorporating aromatherapy into healthcare practices, hospitals embrace a more patient-centered approach, promoting relaxation, comfort, and overall better experiences for individuals seeking medical treatment.

The Power of Terpene Therapy

Diffusing essential oils and terpenes in hospitals may still be a relatively new practice, a growing body of research and positive experiences from healthcare professionals and patients are encouraging interest and momentum in this field. As the benefits of clinical aromatherapy continue to be explored and validated, its integration into hospital settings will likely expand, providing patients with additional options. Hospitals can create a more holistic approach to care with the power of terpenes!

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