Integrating Essential Oils into Pain Management
By Jodi Baglien, Certified Clinical Aromatherapist

I was listening to a very intense conversation on NPR about the US opiate & drug overdose epidemic (read or listen to the transcript here). A pending lawsuit, Oklahoma vs. Johnson & Johnson, claims the company misrepresented opioids in their marketing.

We know through national statistics from the CDC that drug overdoses killed more than 72,000 people in the United States in 2017. A majority of the deaths, nearly 49,000, were caused by opioids. Opioids were involved in over two-thirds of overdose deaths in 2017.

As someone who seeks integrative therapies before taking medication whenever possible, I sadly have to wonder how the outcomes might have been different if our systems and culture provided easier access to and information about holistic therapies. Would we have helped prevent people from becoming addicted to these prescription opioids? We can't change the past, but we can influenc...

Here in Minnesota, we are HUNGRY for spring!  The huge dirty snowbanks have melted, I see fresh tall & healthy green chives in the garden, and I listen with joy as the spring peepers are loudly informing us - Spring has Sprung!

We KNOW we feel better when we feel the sunshine on our face, look out at beautiful rolling hills or oceans around us, smell the air and aromas, and hear wildlife bustling.

What about those who can’t?

I learned early as an aromatherapist that a meaningful and valuable way for me to help others was in the power of connecting people to nature.
People who may not have access to the great outdoors & healing properties due to illness, physical limitations, or other restrictions.
With the extracted essences of plant oils, I as an Aromatherapist can feed and nurture the hungry souls of those with limited access to nature. This is my motivation in my work!

Smell Communicates With Subtle Messages

I had not thought much about the impact of our sense of smell, the olf...

When I think of Roman Chamomile and the gifts this gentle giant of essential oils can deliver, it's like Mac and Cheese to me. 

What??
My sensory perceptions and practitioner experiences with Roman Chamomile sum it up like this. It delivers comfort like the way a yummy home cooked meal and a snuggly blanket makes you feel.

Roman Chamomile is soothing to the soul, and allows a sunnier disposition to emerge!

Let me show you a few of its therapeutic actions and uses for the body, and it's gifts with moods and emotions, and nurturing the soul.

The Basics

First, we must identify the specific plant by its botanical name – Chamaemelum nobile, it may also be identified using its botanical synonym Anthemis nobilis. Derived from the Greek word Chamaimelon, Chamai meaning on the ground,  and melon, meaning apple. The flower looks similar to a daisy and has a fern-like leaves. This chamomile is primarily is native to western Europe and now primarily grown in England, Belgium, France, and Hung...

Moment of Inspiration!

In 2017 I attended the Alliance for International Aromatherapists (AIA) conference. One session I really enjoyed was from Dorene Petersen, the Dean of the American College of Healthcare Sciences (Where I obtained my Aromatherapy Certification.)

In her presentation, "Clinical Use of Aromatherapy for Brain Health" she explored clinical uses and research on certain essential oils that show beneficial impacts for neuro-protective support, cognitive enhancement, and the prevention & support of Alzheimer's disease.

Dorene called me out during her presentation, knowing of my work with the aromatherapy patches and senior care, she challenged me to "make a patch" for brain health to support those with Dementia.
Whew!! When your "shero" calls you into action - you better get to it!

Facts from World Health Organization (WHO) about Dementia & Alzheimer's

1. As of 2017 Dementia is now deemed a public health priority.
2. Worldwide, there are now nearly 10 million new cases eac
...

Interest in Holistic Care

I love getting the calls from senior communities looking to start an aromatherapy program. I am always energized to hear that healthcare facilities are seeing the value in holistic care and the power of essential oil therapies. But as a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist, I am also very aware of the risks of using essential oils without proper training, especially with a vulnerable population.

The DIY Approach in Healthcare Environments

I see many "do it yourself" (DIY) attempts. Most are driven by an essential oil lover, and many do have experience with EO's themselves. Some have formal education through a recognized aromatherapy program, while others may have attended a workshop or are led by a direct sales team.

It's important to point out that experience with home use of essential oils vs developing a compliant aromatherapy program to serve vulnerable & aging adults are two very different ends of the healthcare continuum.

Here’s When I Get Concerned…

I've been pondering this question for a while, should we use diffusers with essential oils in public spaces?

Like anything else, there are pros and cons to the public use of essential oils (EO's).  I think it's an important question to consider as the use of EO's has expanded into our public institutions and spaces. 

Let me start with a recap of a conversation I heard once between two co-workers. One co-worker LOVED her oils, she wanted everyone to "share in her enthusiasm". So she diffused oils at her desk, and personally applied them, liberally each day.  She was happy to be sharing, thinking how appreciative everyone else must be too.

Little did she know, it was becoming a daily irritation for others. Especially for one of her close friends at work.

I listened as her friend was telling her that she wanted the constant diffusing of oils to stop. She told her friend "I don't want to smell oils every day, It's especially hard to walk past your desk the smell is so strong". She was ...

Do you ever stop to think about the impact smells have on you during the day?  Want to play with me for a minute?

Imagine you are smelling - puppy breath.

How about Crayons?

What changed in your mood? Did a smile sneak up on you? What images came up in your mind? Where did you go? How do you feel now?

If you have ever pondered the question - how can smelling essential oils shift my mood or state of mind?  Read on. It' a great question to be able to answer, especially if you are caring for others with essential oils.

Here's a quick primer on our olfactory system, that I hope you find helpful!

Let's consider this scenario. You are fast asleep and suddenly awakened by the smell of smoke.

In this instant. . .

• The aroma molecules move past the receptor sites in your nose. 

• The olfactory nerves send a message to your limbic system.

• Your limbic system analyses its stored "aroma-print" for smoke

• This print most likely says: Smoke = fire = danger = send adrenaline! 

W...