Using Aromatherapy As A Treatment For Shock

Shock has a debilitating effect on your body; whether you have just received the news that someone has died, been involved in a car accident or suffered a fall, your body responds in a certain way. The emotional response to shock often has physiological effects on the body. There are a number of ways to treat emotional shock, including the use of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils; essential oils are obtained from plants and are a natural tool for a number of health problems.

How to Use Aromatherapy for Shock

The quickest way in which your body responds to emotional issues is to use aromatherapy through inhalation (source: Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, Shirley Price, Len Price). The nose is directly linked to the brain and therefore inhaling an aroma will have a quicker response time than the application of aromatherapy to the skin. In the case of shock, this is probably the most beneficial route to take.

You can inhale an appropriate essential oil through a variety of methods; these include:

• inhalation direct from the bottle – if you have a bottle of essential oil to hand you can simply take a few deep breaths from the bottle itself

• inhalation from a tissue – if you prefer, you can add a couple of drops of essential oil to a tissue and inhale

• add a couple of drops of essential oil to a bath – taking a warm bath with essential oils can help to relax you and recover from shock; remember to add just a couple of drops (see cautions below too)

• add a couple of drops of essential oil to an aromatherapy diffuser – an aromatherapy diffuser will disperse your chosen aroma throughout the room and may be beneficial in helping a number of people recover from shock.

Types of Essential Oils for Shock

Several essential oils are reputed to be beneficial for shock; these include peppermint (Mentha piperita), orange blossom (Citrus aurantium var. amara), mandarin oil (Citrus reticulata) and Ylang Ylang 100% Pure Essential Oil – 10 ml (Cananga odorata). According to Patricia Davis in Aromatherapy: An A-Z: The Most Comprehensive Guide to Aromatherapy Ever Published, peppermint is one of the most useful essential oils for treating shock. However, peppermint essential oil is a powerful aromatherapy oil and should only be used in moderation, in addition to taking note of other contra-indications for use.

Orange blossom, or Neroli, essential oil is a “gentler” aromatherapy oil than peppermint but it is an expensive oil to buy; you may want to inhale it directly from the bottle for shock in order to preserve the quantity of oil. Mandarin essential oil is also a member of the citrus botanical family (as is orange blossom) and consequently is another light, uplifting oil. Ylang ylang is a heavier essential oil but it is used to treat stress, nervous problems and depression, working on the emotional senses; however, use ylang ylang essential oil with caution as it may cause headaches or nausea if you use it in excess (source: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, Julia Lawless).

Cautions for Using Aromatherapy for Shock

Consult a qualified and experienced aromatherapist before using essential oils for the first time; in addition, seek medical advice for the prolonged treatment of shock. Essential oils carry different cautions for use so it is essential that you are educated on a particular oil before using it; for example, you should not use some essential oils with babies, children, in pregnancy or with certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure of epilepsy.

The use of aromatherapy is often not recommended in conjunction with certain homeopathic treatments and/or prescribed medications. However, if you are aware of the cautions for using essential oils, you will find that the use of aromatherapy is a quick and effective tool for helping to deal with the immediate effects of shock; keep a bottle of your favorite oil handy because you never know when you might need it.

Photo by Jagrap

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