Aromatherapy

What is aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to help improve symptoms. Essential oils come from plants. Smelling these oils may give you comfort. The oils are meant to be used with medicines and other treatment.

How is aromatherapy given?

At University of Iowa Health Care, aromatherapy is used only by smelling. The oil should never be swallowed or put on the skin.

• A trained staff member will put two drops of the oil onto a cotton ball.
• The cotton ball is put in a cup. The cup is then put into a plastic resealable bag.
  • Please do not touch the cotton ball.
• The bag is labeled with the name of the oil and given to you.
• You can open the bag and smell it as often as you would like.
• Throw the bag in the trash after there is no longer a smell.

Aromatherapy can be repeated as often as you want.

Are there any side effects?

Essential oils are safe to use as recommended and in small amounts. The oils we use are pure and tested to be safe. There are no added chemicals, so allergic reactions are unlikely.

Essential oils should not be used with:

• People with lung conditions
• People that have a known allergy or sensitivity to the essential oil 

What oils are used at UI Health Care?