Aromatherapy in dementia

Clive Holmes is a senior lecturer in old age psychiatry at the University of Southampton (Memory Assessment and Research Unit, Moorgreen Hospital, Botley Road, West End, Southampton SO30 3JB, UK. E-mail: ch4{at}soton.acuk). Dr Holmes trained in psychiatry at both Guy’s and the Maudsley Hospitals, London, and he has studied the neurochemistry and the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease at the Institute of Neurology, London, and the Institute of Psychiatry, London, respectively. Clive Ballard is Professor of Old Age Psychiatry at the Institute of Ageing and Health at the University of Newcastle, UK. Professor Ballard trained in psychiatry at Birmingham University and his main interests are in the aetiology and treatment of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.

The use of plant essential oils in aromatherapy has been recorded for thousands of years, but until recently there was very little formal evidence regarding the use of these treatments in people with dementia. Over the past few years a number of clinical trials have compared aromatherapy, principally using either lavender (Lavandula angustifolia or Lavandula officinalis) or lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), with inactive treatment. All of these studies demonstrated a significant impact on behavioural problems in patients with dementia, with negligible side-effects. However, there is still not sufficient evidence to recommend widespread use in clinical practice and the key question of whether these treatments can provide a viable alternative to existing pharmacological agents needs to be addressed.