List: I found the following report on Quackwatch. If there's anything substantive mentioned that casts doubt on this report (besides the usual howls of laughter) I'll let you know. Roger
Nine-MSN 19:01 AEST Mon 1 Oct 2001 Aromatherapy gets thumbs up for elderly Aromatherapy can replace sedatives and psychotropic drugs for some nursing home residents, a conference was told. Lavender baths and sandalwood oil massage have a calming effect, particularly for people suffering dementia, aged care nurse Maggie Hopkins said. Ms Hopkins, who has studied aromatherapy, said medication consumed by residents of one Melbourne aged care facility dropped 13 per cent in the first six months of her program. "Behavioural problems have decreased markedly and the amount of noise has also dropped," Ms Hopkins said. "Our major success story has been a man who previously was very physically and verbally aggressive who has now been taken off his Epilim (a psychotropic drug) completely." The program being implemented at the Towergrange and Bellview home in suburban Melbourne includes baths, foot spas, vaporisation, massage and application of oils to clothing and bedding. Ms Hopkins told the 14th national conference of Aged and Community Services Australia in Cairns that stress levels among nursing staff had decreased dramatically in line with the change in some residents. "We've shown that you can replace sedatives with massages and baths, and I believe aromatherapy can help to replace other drugs as well," she said. The man who no longer needed Epilim had turned into "a different person" after three months of daily lavender baths, opening up to staff and grieving about the death of his son, instead of yelling and being aggressive. Residents suffering from dementia, who tended to be particularly agitated and restless at night, had noticeably improved. Ms Hopkins said a multi-disciplinary team including doctors, pastoral carer and consultant clinical psychologist had monitored outcomes of the program, noting among the residents improved mood and temperament, increased alertness and positivity, and better night-time sleep. The oils used at the home were chosen for their sedative, antiseptic, antidepressant and antispasmodic properties and included lavender augustifolia, frankincense, rose geranium, marjoram, mandarin, sage and sandalwood. ©AAP 2001 © 1997-2001 ninemsn Pty Ltd - All rights reserved
