STRENGTHENING MENTAL HEALTH

Physical health problems, minor or major, can become a source of worry and anxiety for an aging person, and can affect their overall mental and emotional health.

Headaches And Migraines
The reason for these, especially in the elderly, is not always apparent. It is therefore a good idea to use tow or more essential oils, to make best use of the synergy. Put the relevant essential oils into your moisturizing cream and use twice daily. This helps both to relieve and prevent the problem, and will benefit the skin at the same time. If headaches persist throughout the day, try inhalation. If the headaches frequently recur, consider that it may due to a food allergy, such as caffeine. If home treatment is unsuccessful it may be worth visiting a qualified aromatherapist.

Shock
The emotional impact of shock can be particularly traumatic for an elderly person. Very often the shock is accompanied by fear, especially in the case of someone who lives on their own. Shock-induced trauma can be helped immediately by inhaling or applying essential oils with a sedative effect.















Lavender and sweet marjoram oils can help with grief and fear. Inhale them from a tissue.





Insomnia
Insomnia is fairly common amongst older people, and can get worse as age advances. Sometimes, there is no clear explanation for it - older people seem to need less sleep. However, the problem may be caused or exacerbated by anxiety and worry. Cramp in the leg muscles or arthritic pain during the night can also disturb the sleep pattern. The traditional essential oil used to help insomnia is lavender, although care should be taken with the dose, as too much will keep you awake. Lavender oil, used alone or in a synergy with two or three oils, has been used successfully by some hospitals to treat insomnia.













Oils for fear and anger can be a useful support for cancer patients. Use juniper, lemon and geranium in a base lotion and apply the mix to the hands and body.






Cancer
Aromatherapy cannot cure cancer but it can be used in a supportive role and can greatly improve the quality of life for many cancer patients. Fear of developing cancer can be a big worry for someone who has already lost a relative through the disease, and for cancer patients whose cancer is in remission. Use oils which are good for stress conditions (see Coping With Stress), and apply by inhalation, compress and direct application in a carrier lotion.

Dementia
Some people, more often in old age, suffer deterioration of their mental faculties, and are unable to think clearly or to concentrate for any length of time. The memory can become unreliable and confused, and some speech difficulties may develop (this is particularly true after a stroke). Alzheimer's disease may develop if the nerve tissue (which cannot regenerate itself) withers and dies in the brain. Try using essential oils which stimulate the mind and improve memory. Some oils are also thought to be able to trigger past experiences, which is helpful for people with Alzheimer's.













Persistent headache are debilitating and stressful. Massaging the shoulders with Roman chamomile and lavender will have a sedative and calming effect, while peppermint and rosemary will be energizing and uplifting.






Parkinson's Disease
The cause of this debilitating, progressive disease is unknown, but a lack of the chemical substance, dopamine, which is needed for co-ordination of the brain muscles, seem to be responsible for its symptoms. Parkinson's disease is characterized by tremors, muscular rigidity and emaciation, and causes difficulty in speech and movement. Strong drugs are available to replace the dopamine; these help for a while, but they gradually lose efficiency as the body gets used to them. This necessitates a regular increase in dosage levels as the years pass, until, finally, the maximum dose loses its effect, and nothing more can be done to help the patient.


Side effects of the drugs include nausea, insomnia and constipation, all of which can be helped by aromatherapy. One study has also shown that essential oils can alleviate muscular problems, occasionally reducing the degree of slurred speech and tremors. Daily application of a lotion containing essential oils, plus daily aromatherapy baths (where possible) were used in the study. The symptoms which cause the most problems seem to be anxiety, lack of energy, muscular pains and stiffness. Others are constipation, insomnia, cramp, rigidity, tremors and slurred speech. Choose essential oils on the basis of the symptoms causing the trouble.



For sufferers of Parkinson's disease, a hand and body lotion containing clary sage, sweet marjoram and rosemary can help the condition.