Found this on my instructors blog and wanted to share the information with you.
April's Aromablog: Inspiration with Intellectual Health Challenges: I found this article while researching for Aromatherapy Therapeutic Touch.
"I really felt inspired to expand on some information for this particular situation."-April Jaeger
Complementary therapies in learning disabilities: examining the evidence
Author: J. Wray Resource: Journal of Intellectual Disabilities
Abstract
Demand for alternative and complementary health care is both 'patient'
and 'practitioner' generated (The Times 1996). In nursing the
opportunities to improve individualized patient care through the
appropriate use of such therapies appears to be a motivating factor in
their use. Much of the nursing literature available focuses on the use
of complementary therapies in general hospital settings and clinical
practice. However, there is evidence of the use of such therapies by
community nurses and in particular, learning disability nurses.
Therapies considered to be of benefit in the care of people with
learning disabilities are those therapies that use a 'hands-on' approach
such as aromatherapy, massage, and reflexology. An examination of
nursing literature and research suggests a range of different therapies
is being explored by nurses within their practice, and that some
evaluation-seeking evidence of effectiveness is being conducted.
Aromatherapy in particular has received some attention from nurse
researchers, and the evidence suggests that both a therapeutic and an
experimental effect can be detected. It would appear that for people
with learning disabilities the combination of the factors of oils,
massage (touch) and therapist-client interaction can provide a
beneficial therapeutic experience.
THESE
SITUATIONS OFTEN CALL FOR LOW DOSAGES. OFTEN INTELLECTUAL AND
BEHAVIORAL DISABILITIES CAN GO HAND IN HAND WITH EXTREME SENSITIVITY
BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY.
ROSEMARY-
I LOVE ROSEMARY, IN LOW DOSES, IT OPENS THE MIND AND GETS THE JUICES
FLOWING. THIS WOULD NOT WORK FOR EVERYONE THOUGH, IN CASES WITH YOUNG
CHILDREN WHO ARE TOO MENTALLY ACTIVE, IT COULD BE TOO STIMULATING.
ORANGE OR MANDARIN - THIS OIL IS UPLIFTING TO THE MIND AND SPIRIT, YET ALLOWS ONE TO REMAIN PEACEFUL AND GROUNDED.
BERGAMOT -
THIS WORKS WELL TO DISPEL FRUSTRATION WHEN ONE IS TRYING BUT NOT ALWAYS
SUCCEEDING. IT ALSO INSPIRES A WILLINGNESS TO KEEP A POSITIVE OUTLOOK
AND ATTITUDE WITHOUT BEING OVER STIMULATING.
LAVENDER- FOR ONE WHO IS EXPERIENCING HYPERACTIVITY OR RANDOM & BROKEN THOUGHT PATTERNS THIS OIL WILL CALM THE MIND ENOUGH TO FOCUS. JUST BE SURE TO USE IT SPARINGLY AS IT CAN WEIGH DOWN THE MIND AND BODY IF USED IN LARGER AMOUNTS. (IT MAY BE A NICE BLEND TO COMBINE PEPPERMINT OR BERGAMOT WITH THE LAVENDER TO BALANCE OUT THE EFFECTS
LAVENDER- FOR ONE WHO IS EXPERIENCING HYPERACTIVITY OR RANDOM & BROKEN THOUGHT PATTERNS THIS OIL WILL CALM THE MIND ENOUGH TO FOCUS. JUST BE SURE TO USE IT SPARINGLY AS IT CAN WEIGH DOWN THE MIND AND BODY IF USED IN LARGER AMOUNTS. (IT MAY BE A NICE BLEND TO COMBINE PEPPERMINT OR BERGAMOT WITH THE LAVENDER TO BALANCE OUT THE EFFECTS
PEPPERMINT -
WHILE NOT AS STIMULATING AS ROSEMARY, PEPPERMINT CAN BRING INTEREST AND
PRESENT MINDEDNESS WITH A SOFT AND SWEET NUDGE. AGAIN IN SMALLER DOSES.
SANDALWOOD -
THIS OIL WILL HELP WITH ANXIETY AND NERVOUS TENSION YET SUPPORT THE
FIGHT OF FATIGUE. THIS IS ALSO A GOOD OIL IN CASES OF OVERSTIMULATING
ENVIRONMENTS.
I
WOULD STAY AWAY FROM COMMON BUT STRONG MIND ALTERING OILS SUCH AS
ANGELICA, CLARY SAGE, SAGE, AND LIME AS THEY CAN HAVE ADVERSE EFFECTS
FOR THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION."From: April Jaeger @ Aprils Aromablog
