What is it?
This is the use of essential oils extracted from plants (see below). The oils are used mainly during massage but can also be used in a bath or an oil burner (sometimes called a diffuser or vaporiser).
Why use it
When inhaled or absorbed through the skin, the oils are thought to have a positive effect on the body’s tissues, the mind and spirit.
What to expect
The aromatherapist blends essential oils and adds them to a base (carrier) oil before applying them to your skin during a massage. See Safety of essential oils below.
What is the evidence?
There is some limited evidence that aromatherapy may have positive short-term effects on pain and anxiety in people with cancer. There is some small evidence that aromatherapy improves sleep and quality of life.
Safety of essential oils
Essential oils are concentrated oils that are extracted from plants, such as lavender or tea tree. They are very strong, so they must be diluted with a base oil before using on your skin. Base (or carrier) oils are usually made from kernels or nuts, such as almonds, or sometimes castor oil. Sometimes mineral oil is used instead as it is odourless.
These oils should never be used inside the body (e.g. taken in a drink or swallowed). Also take care not to touch your eyes if some oil gets on your hands.
Allergic reactions to oils are rare, but some people find they irritate the skin, or the smell makes them feel nauseous or gives them a headache. Let your therapist know if you have had reactions to oils in the past, or if you don’t like certain smells.
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Key resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
More resources
A/Prof Geraldine McDonald, Director Patient Experience and Wellbeing, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Laura Carman, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria; A/Prof Christine Carrington, Senior Consultant Pharmacist Cancer Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital and Metro South Health and The University of Queensland, QLD; Kellie Giannarelli, Consumer; Dr Suzanne Grant, Senior Research Fellow, Integrative Oncology, NICM Health Research Institute, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Vivienne Hansen, Bush and Western Herbal Medicine Practitioner, WA; Karla Jaji, Administration Officer, Nepean Cancer and Wellness Centre, NSW; Dr Laura Kirsten, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Nepean Cancer Services, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, NSW; A/Prof Judith Lacey, Director of Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Adjunct Professor Danforn Lim, Western Sydney University and University of Technology Sydney, NSW; Dr David Mizrahi, Senior Research Fellow and Accredited Exercise Physiologist, The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW; Professor Avni Sali AM, Founder and Director, National Institute of Integrative Medicine, VIC; Gillian Thompson, Consumer; A/Prof Kate Webber, Medical Oncologist, Monash Health, VIC; Tanya Wells, Integrative Oncology Consultant and Naturopath, Melbourne Integrative Oncology Group, VIC; Prof Kate White, Professor Cancer Nursing, Cancer Care Research Unit, The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW.
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