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L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 43 Gated Channels," Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 60, no. 11 (2008); S. Abuhamdah and P. L. Chazot, "Lemon Balm and Lavender Herbal Essential Oils: Old and New Ways to Treat Emotional Disorders," Current Anaesthesia & Critical Care 19, no. 4 (2008); R. Awad et al., "Effects of Traditionally Used Anxiolytic Botanicals on Enzymes of the Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) System," Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 85, no. 9 (2007). 6. T. Fung et al., "Therapeutic Effect and Mechanisms of Essential Oils in Mood Disorders: Interaction between the Nervous and Respiratory Systems," International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22, no. 9 (2021); R. Schellenberg et al., "The Fixed Combination of Valerian and Hops Acts Via a Central Adenosine Mechanism," Planta Medica 70, no. 7 (2004); N. M. Stojanovic et al., "Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) Essential Oil and Citronellal Modulate Anxiety-Related Symptoms—In Vitro and In Vivo Studies," Journal of Ethnopharmacology 284 (2022). Anne Williams, LMP, CHT, BFA, has been an aromatherapist for 25 years and a licensed massage practitioner for 24 years. She is also a certified reflexologist, clinical hypnotherapist, past registered counselor, author, and educator. Williams is the former director of education for Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP). With ABMP, she pursued her passion for instructional design and developed support materials and resources for massage students, instructors, schools, and professional members from 2006 until 2019. In 2020, Williams and her husband, Eric Brown, founded Massage Mastery Online to create digital multimedia textbooks and continuing education for the massage profession. Find more at massagemastery.online and check out "Aromatherapy Foundations: A Course for MTs Serious About Authentic Aromatherapy." "That's Nice" As we consider how essential oils can be used with our elderly clients, I can't help but think about my lovely grandmother, Muriel. When she passed, I held her hand, spritzed aromatherapy high above her bed, and recited poetry. She didn't say much in those last days, but once she said, "Oh, that's nice," and tightened her fingers around my hand. It's a moment I'll never forget. Notes 1. L. E. O. Kennair et al., "Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia, and Quality of Life in a Representative Community Sample of Older Adults Living at Home," Frontiers in Psychology 13 (2022), https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.811082. 2. C. Holmes and C. Ballard, "Aromatherapy in Dementia," Cambridge University Press, 2018. 3. S. Agatonovic-Kustrin et al., "Models for Skin and Brain Penetration of Major Components from Essential Oils used in Aromatherapy for Dementia Patients," Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics 38, no. 8 (2020). 4. E. L. Ball et al., "Aromatherapy for Dementia," Cochrane Library Database of Systematic Reviews, August 2020. 5. L. Huang et al., "Pharmacological Profile of Essential Oils Derived from Lavandula Angustifolia and Melissa Officinalis with Anti-Agitation Properties: Focus on Ligand- the kidneys, liver, and cardiovascular system if absorbed through the skin. For an immune-boosting massage lubricant, combine four drops of frankincense, two drops of sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana), eight drops of mandarin (Citrus reticulata), and five drops of lavender. Add six drops of this synergy to one ounce of massage oil or cream. Pain Chronic pain is a common condition encountered by health-care professionals working with older adult clients. Analgesic, anti-inf lammatory, and antispasmodic essential oils are potent allies against musculoskeletal pain. Unfortunately, many are too aggressive in their actions to be suitable for use with older adults, even at low concentrations. Try a combination of two drops of sweet marjoram, five drops of lavender, four drops of blue cypress (Callitris columellaris), and three drops of turmeric (Curcuma longa) at a 1 percent concentration in a massage lubricant (six drops of essential oil to one ounce of massage lubricant). Even if you can't massage the area of the body experiencing acute pain, a massage of the hands, feet, or shoulders feels relaxing. It allows essential oils to penetrate the skin and enter blood circulation for a systemic, pain-relieving effect. Resources Ali, Babar et al. "Essential Oils Used in Aromatherapy: A Systematic Review." Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 5, no. 8 (2015). Aponso, M. et al. American Chemical Society. "Relaxation Effects of Essential Oils Are Explained by Their Interactions with Human Brain Neurotransmitter Receptors and Electroencephalography Rhythms." Neuroscience (2021). De Sousa, D. P. et al. "Essential Oils and Their Constituents: An Alternative Source for Novel Antidepressants." Molecules 22, no. 8 (2017). Dobetsberger C. and G. Buchbauer. "Action of Essential Oils on the Central Nervous System: An Updated Review." Flavour and Fragrance Journal 26, no. 5 (2011). Heuberger, E. "Effects of Essential Oils on Human Cognition." Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Application 3rd ed. CRC Press (2020). Lizarraga-Valderrama, L. R. "Effects of Essential Oils on Central Nervous System: Focus on Mental Health." Phytotherapy Research 35, no. 2 (2020). Williams, A. "Aromatherapy Foundations for MTs Serious About Authentic Aromatherapy." Massage Mastery Online, 2021.