Best Essential Oils for Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. It is described as a loss of brain function that gradually gets worse over time, affecting memory, thinking, and behavior. Aromatherapy can play a significant role for both the caregiver and the care recipient helping to ease stress, anxiety, mood swings and memory issues as well as decreasing the need for medications and increasing the quality of life. ¹

Many of the memory enhancing drugs currently used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease are designed to inhibit cholinesterase, the enzyme which breaks down acetylcholine in the body. Acetylcholine is vital to the central nervous system. It acts as a neuromodulator and when there is damage to the cholinergic (acetylcholine-producing) system it affects memory, REM sleep, attention and sensory perceptions.

Several essential oils such as Lemon Citrus limonum, Rosemary Rosmarinus officialis and Spanish Sage* Salvia lavandulifolia have been shown to act in a similar way to conventional drugs, inhibiting cholinesterase but without any negative side effects. It has also been shown that using these essential oils in their natural state vs. isolating chemical constituents has a greater effect on preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine. ^{6, 4}

In a study conducted by Kilstoff and Chenoweth, Lavender Lavandula angustifolia, Geranium Pelargonium graveolens and Mandarin Citrus deliciosa were combined in a base of Sweet Almond oil and applied via hand massage. “The specific improvements for clients included increased alertness, self-hygiene, contentment, initiation of toileting, sleeping at night and reduced levels of agitation, withdrawal and wandering. Family carers have reported less distress, improved sleeping patterns and feelings of calm.” ⁸

Best essential oils for Alzheimer’s Disease – common issues

When using essential oils with the elderly or frail it is generally best to start with the lowest dilution 1-3% (6-18 drops per 1 oz. of carrier oil) and whenever possible allow the patient to choose the essential oils or blends that they prefer. If a patient is non-communicative, body language and facial expression will give you insight into their likes and dislikes.

NOTE: While many people are searching for the best essential oils for Alzheimer’s Disease hoping for specific answers, and many sellers are claiming they offer the ‘best’ essential oils for Alzheimer’s Disease, no one can say what essential oils will work ‘best’ for you. Why? Because every person’s biochemistry is different. What works for you may not work for others. Unlike some other essential oil sellers, we want to help you navigate the world of essential oils to discover what works ‘best’ for you. That’s why we offer consultations with certified Clinical Aromatherapists and Health Care Professionals. Please feel free to contact us and request a free 15-minute consultation.

Restlessness and poor sleep:
Applications – Bath, Inhalation, Diffusion, Massage, Spritzer
Essential oils – Lavender Lavandula angustifolia, Marjoram Sweet Origanum marjorana, Chamomile Roman Anthemis nobilis, Mandarin Citrus deliciosa or combination of Ylang Ylang Extra Cananga odorata and Lemon Citrus limonum 

Loss of appetite:
Application – Inhalation, Diffusion, Spritzer
Essential oils – Cardamom Elettaria cardamomum, Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis, Basil ct. linalol Ocimum basilicum, Lemon Citrus limonum, Ginger Zingiber officinale

Constipation:
Application – Compress, Abdominal Massage
Essential oils – Ginger Zingiber officinale, Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis, Orange Sweet Citrus sinensis

Diarrhea:
Applications – Compress, Abdominal Massage
Essential oils – Marjoram Sweet Origanum marjorana, Niaouli Melaleuca quinquenervia, Peppermint Mentha piperita, Geranium Pelargonium graveolens

Indigestion:
Application – Compress, Abdominal Massage, Inhalation
Essential oils – Basil ct. linalol Ocimum basilicum, Mandarin Citrus deliciosa, Lemon Citrus limonum, Melissa Melissa officinalis (4 drops and 1 drop Peppermint Mentha piperita) Information indicates that Melissa and Peppermint are best used together.

Anger, Aggression, Irritability:
Application – Inhalation, Diffusion, Massage, Spritzer
Essential oils – Lavender Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa Melissa officinalis

Anxiety, Agitation:
Applications – Bath, Inhalation, Diffusion, Massage, Spritzer
Essential oils – Neroli Citrus aurantium, Lavender Lavandula angustifolia, Bergamot FCF Citrus bergamia, Geranium Pelargonium graveolens, Melissa Melissa officinalis (In a placebo controlled trial, Melissa was added to a carrier and applied to the face and arms of patients with dementia twice a day for 4 weeks. 60% of the group receiving the Melissa showed reduced agitation.)⁷

Apathy:
Applications – Bath, Inhalation, Diffusion, Massage, Spritzer
Essential oils – Rose Rosa centifolia (1 drop Rose and 2 drops Lavender Lavandula angustifolia), Peppermint Mentha piperita, Sage Salvia officinalis

Depression:
Applications – Bath, Inhalation, Diffusion, Massage, Spritzer
Essential oils – Bergamot FCF Citrus bergamia, Chamomile Roman Anthemis nobilis, Clary Sage Salvia sclarea, Geranium Pelargonium graveolens, Grapefruit Citrus paradisi, Lavender Lavandula angustifolia, Lemon Citrus limonum, Orange Sweet Citrus sinensis, Neroli Citrus aurantium, Rose Rosa damascena, Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis, Ylang Ylang Extra Cananga odorata

Headache:
Applications – Inhalation, Massage of neck and shoulders
Essential oils – Lavender Lavandula angustifolia, Chamomile Roman Anthemis nobilis, Basil ct. linalol Ocimum basilicum

Memory:
Applications – Bath, Inhalation, Diffusion, Massage, Spritzer
Essential oils – Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis, Spanish Sage Salvia lavandulifolia*, Lemon Citrus limonum

Muscle Contraction:
Applications – Bath, Compress, Massage
Essential oils – Lavender Lavandula angustifolia, Geranium Pelargonium graveolens, Juniper Berry Juniperus communis

Withdrawal:
Applications – Bath, Inhalation, Diffusion, Massage, Spritzer
Essential oil – Melissa Melissa officinalis

*e3 carries a selection of essential oils we consider our non-standards. Please contact us for price and availability.

Application Methods – Specific to Alzheimer’s patients

Diffusion: Follow diffuser manufacturer’s instructions. If you do not own a diffuser you can add a few drops of essential oil or blend to several cotton balls and place near to where the patient spends much of their time.

Massage: Hands, Arms, Feet: Mix 12 drops of essential oil or essential oil blend into 1 ounce carrier oil such as Jojoba, Sweet Almond or Fractionated Coconut oil. Use to massage hands, arms and/or feet. For those patients who enjoy the contact using massage as an application method provides the additional benefit of personal contact, for some this helps to create bonding between patient and caregiver which can also help to reduce stress and anxiety for everyone.

Inhalation: Add 1-2 drops of essential oil or essential oil blend to a tissue or cotton ball, tuck into pocket or pillow case. Add 1-2 drops to a silk flower and attach to client clothing. Inhalation is one of the quickest and easiest ways to use essential oils.

Spritzers: Add 25 drops of essential oil(s) to a 1 oz glass spritzer bottle, fill with purified water. Shake and spritz as desired. Spritz rooms, clothing or bed linens.

For more information on application methods click here.

Would you like to learn more about essential oils – like where they come from, how they’re made and how to make your own special blends? Simply download our free ebook, Listen to Your Nose – An Introduction to Aromatherapy.

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Hogewey “Dementia Village” | The Future of Dementia Care?
“Hogewey, located in the Netherlands, is the only care facility of it’s kind in the world and is home to over 150 people with severe dementia. Started by 2 nurses who feared having to put their own parents in a traditional nursing home, ‘Dementia Village’ is a place where residents live a seemingly normal life, but are actually being watched by caregivers at all times. There are almost twice as many caregivers as residents in the village and they staff everything from the grocery store to the hair salon.”
Click here to read full article click on Hogeway

References

¹ Use of plant essential oils in treating agitation in dementia units: 10 case studies. Int. J. Aromatherapy 2003

² Comparative study on the antioxidant capacity and cholinesterase inhibitory activity of Citrus aurantifolia Swingle, C. aurantium L., and C. bergamia Risso and Poit. Peel essential oils.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22260108

³ Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of Pinus species essential oils and their constituents.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20429778

⁴ Effect of aromatherapy on patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20377818

⁵ Effects of lavender oil inhalation on improving scopolamine-induced spatial memory impairment in laboratory rats.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22402245

⁶ In-vitro activity of S. lavandulaefolia (Spanish sage) relevant to treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11697542

⁷ Aromatherapy in dementia, Clive Holmes and Clive Ballard
https://apt.rcpsych.org/content/10/4/296.full

⁸ Int J Nurs Pract. 1998 Jun ;4 (2):70-83 9748936 Cit:9 New approaches to health and well-being for dementia day-care clients, family carers and day-care staff. K Kilstoff, L Chenoweth

Faculty of Nursing, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
Kathy.Kilstoff@uts.edu.au

This study was conducted in one multicultural dementia day-care centre over a period of 18 months. It introduced a gentle hand treatment for clients using three essential oils. The study evolved out of the process of action research where the family carers and day-care staff participated with the researchers to choose, design, develop and evaluate a hand treatment programme. Data was collected through in-depth interviews pre- and post-treatment, focus group discussions, client observation logbooks and a disability scale. The findings indicate a positive strengthening of the relationship between the person with dementia and their family carer, and an improvement in feelings of health and well-being for both. The specific improvements for clients include increased alertness, self-hygiene, contentment, initiation of toileting, sleeping at night and reduced levels of agitation, withdrawal and wandering. Family carers have reported less distress, improved sleeping patterns and feelings of calm. They also found the treatment useful in helping them manage the difficult behaviours exhibited by their relative with dementia. The benefits of this treatment for nursing practice are that it is safe, effective and easily administered by staff in any setting.

⁹ Aromatherapy for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The Journal of Quality Research in Dementia, Issue 3
Professor Elaine Perry (FmedSci)
https://bit.ly/2tpXLtY