Aromatherapy for Alzheimer's Disease

Can aromatherapy and essential oils help in the care of people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia? Research seems to indicate they can.

Photo courtesy NIH

The study, Effect of aromatherapy on patients with Alzheimer's disease, found that aromatherapy is an effective non-drug therapy for dementia. The study used rosemary and lemon essential oils in the morning and lavender and orange in the evening for 28 days. All patients had significant improvement in personal orientation related to cognitive function. The authors concluded that aromatherapy may have some potential for improving cognitive function, especially in people with Alzheimer's disease.

Other studies:

• On alternate days, lavender essential oil or a placebo (water) was diffused. The aromatherapy significantly reduced agitated behavior. Source: Lavender oil as a treatment for agitated behaviour in severe dementia: a placebo controlled study.
• Aromatherapy massage with lavender scent significantly reduced frequency of excessive motor behaviour. Aromatherapy massage was more effective than either aromatherapy or massage alone. Source: Aromatherapy and behaviour disturbances in dementia: a randomized controlled trial.
• Thirty-six patients received lemon balm (melissa) lotion on their face and arms, while another 36 patients had sunflower oil applied. The patients receiving melissa showed significantly reduced agitation and social withdrawal and an increase in constructive activities. Source: Aromatherapy as a safe and effective treatment for the management of agitation in severe dementia: the results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with Melissa.
• A cream containing lavender, marjoram, patchouli, and vetivert was applied to the body 36 patients and compared with inert oil. The essential oil combination significantly improved the mental state of patients but also made then more resistant to care (considered to be due to increased alertness) compared to inert oil. Source: Effects of essential oils and touch on resistance to nursing care procedures and other dementia-related behaviours in a residential care facility

For advice about using essential oils for the elderly in general and for dementia in particular, I recommend chapter 14 of Shirley Price's Aromatherapy for Health Professionals.

For general information about Alzheimer's: Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet from the National Institute of Aging.