Aromatherapy and Epilepsy

Section Three:Main Oils Used
Bergamot [citrus bergamia]: used for anxious and depressed states.
Chamomile, Roman [anthemis nobilis]: this is used especially for tension, anxiety and all stressful emotional states. Known as a calming oil.
Lavender [lavandula angustifolia, L.vera, L.officinalis]: calming, hypotensive, good for high blood pressure, for unbalanced emotional states (including anxiety, insomnia, hysteria, depression, and fluctuating moods). Known as an anticonvulsive oil.
Ylang ylang [cananga odorata]: deeply soothing and relaxing, it can slow over-rapid breathing (hyperpnoea) and over-rapid heartbeat (tachycardia). Will reduce high blood pressure.
It is noticeable that all the above oils are especially soothing and relaxing. Epilepsy is closely linked with emotional reactions, and this is an important factor in the use of aromatherapy in epilepsy seizure management. Massage (employed in Stage II) helps patients dramatically reduce their panicky or angry responses to given situations - responses which could trigger a seizure - via the olfactory memory of the oil used.
Aromatherapists who are supporting a client with epilepsy should work in close liaison with the client's Consultant. Even if the individual turns out to be one of those whose epilepsy will not respond totally to current techniques using aromatherapy, it cannot do any harm (and, indeed, may well do some good) for the therapist to massage using any of the oils just mentioned, either singly or in a blend of two of them, or any other oils which the client has a decided preference for and which are known to be calming. Suggestions are:
Geranium [pelargonium graveolis]: this oil is also a tonic for the liver and kidneys, organs which are frequently over-taxed by chemical medication.
Marjoram [origanum majorana]: used in treating high blood pressure, it is a sedative oil.
Orange [citrus aurantia]: an antidepressant oil which blends well with ylang ylang.
Tangerine[citrus reticulata]: calms excitation and cardiovascular erethism.
All of these oils can be used in the bath, as inhalations, or as room fragrances, as well as in massage. They are to be considered as complementing chemical medications rather than replacing them.
Clary sage [salvia sclarea], although excellent as a sedative oil, is perhaps a little strong, and is related to sage [salvia officinalis], a known convulsant.
Frankincense [boswellia carterii]: although this oil helps shortness of breath (even to encouraging deep breathing) it is to be used very carefully, as deep breathing can exacerbate some epilepsies.