Case Study #5
Rosacea, Low Energy, Stress
Laura Adamson
Case Study
Aromatherapy Level 1
Essence of Thyme College of Holistic Studies
Case Study #5 - Rosacea, Low Energy, Stress
Description of Case:
The client is a 36 year old married female, she lives with her young daughter and husband in a house in town. She works as a Community Mental Health & Addiction Counselor in a Brief Service role doing outreach. The client started noticing the signature Rosacea symptoms a couple of years ago, she has noted that on days that she is experiencing more stress it appears more red. She also expressed concerns regarding work related stress and fatigue, she has noted that she can sleep 7 to 9 hours during the night and still nap during the day. Overall health is good.
Treatment:
1% Therapeutic Blend for Rosacea, Low Energy, Stress
Carrier:
Rosehip Oil Rosa rubiginosa Seed Oil 30ml
Middle Note:
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia 1 drop
Geranium Pelargonium graveolens roseum x asperum 2 drops
Base Note:
Frankincense Boswellia serrata 1 drop
Patchouli Pogostemon cablin 2 drops
I prepared a 1% dilution as the remedy would be applied to the face (Thompson, 2012), with a 50/50 ratio. I prepared a cross reference chart for Rosacea, low energy and stress to determine the common essential oils (Thompson, 2012).
For the carrier I used Rosehip Oil as it is well known for assisting with Rosacea, this oil is an antioxidant, supports the body in cell and tissue regeneration, moisturizing, restructuring and has anti-inflammatory properties (Wormwood, 2016). Rosehip oil also contains Vitamin A, which assists with cell regeneration and promotes the increase of collagen and elastin levels, it also contains a high amount of essential fatty acids, Vitamin E, linoleic and linolenic acids. (Thompson, 2012).
I decided not to add a top note to this blend as the essential oils listed for Rosacea were Bergamot and Lemon, this client spends a lot of time outdoors and was actually going camping when the remedy was provided to her and given the contraindications for photo sensitivity I did not use either. The other oil listed in the cross reference chart was Cajeput which I did not have on hand.
For the middle notes I used Lavender as it is known for stress, mental exhaustion, insomnia, and emotional balance (Thompson, 2012). Lavender contains Linalyl acetate, Linalool, Lavandulyl acetate, Linalyl acetate . Linalool is a monoterpenol and has been well studied regarding sleep, reduction of anxiety and analgesic properties, it has been also been found to have a muscle relaxation and anti-inflammatory effect. Linalyl acetate and Lavandulyl acetate are both esters and are also exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, and are relaxing and balancing constituents. (www.ayurvedicoils.com)
The second oil I used was Geranium has Citronellol, Geraniol, and Linalool. Citronellol is a monoterpenoid and is known for its analgesic and sedative properties. According to the website Ayurvedic Oils research has shown that Geraniol assists with tissue remodeling and that it this constituent can improve the free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects (www.ayurvedicoils.com).
I used a blend of Frankincense and Patchouli as the two base notes as they were indicated for Rosacea and stress on the cross reference chart. In Ayurveda Aromatherapy Frankincense is used for rejuvenating body and mind, and is considered a very calming and empowering oil which would support the client with the current stress that she is experiencing as a result of her job (Irani F, 2007). As listed in Essential Oil Safety Frankincense contains a-Pinene e which is a constituent that contains anti-inflammatory properties (Tisserand/Young, (2014). This oil also contains Sabinene, Limonene and a-Thujene, which all provide anti-inflammatory support. Patchouli also provides anti-inflammatory and calming support (Worwood, 2016).
Client's Response to Treatment:
The client shared that although she had just started her holiday's when she began using the remedy and therefore her stress had started to reduce, but she did notice that upon returning to work she was still experiencing a reduction in stress and less redness on her cheeks. She stated that she felt less anxious, calmer and found an improvement in her irritable bowel movements over a period of a few days. She found the application process easy as she just put a few drops on a cotton pad and applied to cheeks. Physically on the first day she noticed that within hours she found that her skin was more even to the touch and less "bumpy". By day three her skin appeared less "swollen" or inflamed and within in one week she noticed the redness lessened in the morning and along the cheek line and was there less white heads in the morning.
Evaluation:
Overall the blend assisted the client with her main concerns of stress and reduced the symptoms of Rosacea. The blend was created using a 1% dilution (as it was to be applied to the face) blended in Rosehip carrier oil of Rosehip. The client was very excited with the outcome and will continue with the remedy.
Recommendation:
The client is going to continue using the remedy as the results have been positive.
References:
Thompson, C. (2012) Aromatherapy Certification Course Level 1
Worwood, V. (1991) The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy (revised 2016)
Irani, F. (2001) The Magic of Ayurveda Aromatherapy
Tisserand, R/Young, R. (2014) Essential Oil Safety
www.ayuverdicoils.com