Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most studied diseases that still has no cure - only medication that can reduce the symptoms or make coping with the disease more bearable.
There is another “medication” you can now add to that list, but you don’t need a prescription for it – aromatherapy. Some oils are used on their own or blended together to support specific needs like: relaxation, anxiety, mind stimulation, sleep support and appetite stimulation.
More than 450 nursing facilities incorporate some type of aromatherapy with their Alzheimer’s or dementia patients. There have been several studies published showing how essential oil blends, formulated for use with those patients, have improved their quality of life, reduced their dependence on pharmaceutical medications, and improved the attendance of their caregivers.
Not only do essential oils help the patient, research shows they also help the caregiver too, especially those who take care of family members combating the horrible disease.
Other symptoms that have been successfully addressed with essential oils:
- Sleeplessness – lavender works well at reducing stress and anxiety and promotes a calmer mood
- Memory enhancement
- Appetite stimulation – lemon, lime, nutmeg, clove and ginger are known to stimulate the appetite as well as help with the memory
- Pain
- Infection control
- Wound care
- Palliative care
Tags: Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer’s patients, aromather, aromatherapy
