Aromatherapy in Textiles: A Systematic Review of Studies Examining Textiles as a Potential Carrier for the Therapeutic Effects of Essential Oils

Integrative medicine is a rapidly growing specialty field of medical care that emphasizes the amalgamation of complementary therapies and conventional medicine. Aromatherapy, one of the complementary therapies, is a centuries-old tradition, used in many cultures and societies as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, conventional medicine. However, there is very little understanding of its therapeutic benefits in the scientific realm related to the correct dosage of essential oils, their delivery mechanism and their efficacy on human physiology in general. We reviewed studies published between 2011–2021 focused on aromatherapy and textiles, and explore “textile” materials as a possible carrier for essential oils in this paper. Due to their proximity to the biggest organ of the human body, textiles can potentially serve as a good delivery system for the therapeutic benefit of essential oils. After this rigorous review, we found gaps in the field. Therefore, we propose cross-disciplinary synergies for future research to fully understand the therapeutic efficacy of essential oils.

Biochemic System of Medicine

The biochemic system of medicine, also known as the inorganic cell salt therapy, pioneered by Dr. Wilhelm Heinrich Schuessler, following the footsteps of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, is the oldest form of nutraceutical therapy approved and recognized by the World Health Organization as one of the complementary therapies. The chapter presents the fundamental ideology and concepts that underlies the promising system of biochemic medicine as concisely, simply, and to-the-point as possible. The chapter begins with a brief introduction to biochemic system, nutrition science, and concepts of nutraceuticals, followed by a brief history and literature review. It covers biochemic system of medicine and its relevant concepts before closing the chapter with a conclusion.

Inisiasi Kampung Komplementer Untuk Optimalkan Kesehatan Ibu dan Anak

The majority of mothers who have toddlers in Karangrejo Sub-Village, Karangnongko, Tirtomartani Village, Kalasan Subdistrict come to the baby shaman to massage the baby and provide herbs to increase appetite in her child. The public also does not have knowledge of complementary therapies to address mild health complaints without chemical drugs such as cupping, accupoint and herbal therapy. The purpose of community service is to initiate the formation of complementary villages in Karangrejo Sub-Village . The activities carried out are complementary cadre training, baby healthy food movement, toddler and breastfeeding, healthy toddler movement and healthy living community movement with the use of herbs. Monitoring and evaluation are carried out with assistance to motivate the sustainability of the program. The result achieved is (1) The partner has formed and has a complementary village manager; (2) The partners have complementary cadres (3) The partners have carried out complementary village activities, namely healthy food movements for infants, toddlers and nursing mothers, monitoring growth and healthy community movements with the use of herbal plants

Homeopathy and cancer: a literature review

The World Health Organization states that deaths from cancer are increasing reaching an estimated 12 million deaths by 2030 [1]. In Brazil will be about 480,000 new cases by the end of 2011 [2]. For the treatment of cancer conventional therapies are used, such as chemotherapy[3] and radiotherapy [4] which can cause many adverse reactions. Complementary therapies such as homeopathy can be combined to traditional cancer treatment with the aim of minimizing these adverse reactions, relieving the symptoms of the disease itself and its treatment. Other complementary therapies which can aid in cancer treatment are electrotherapy, acupuncture and electroacupuncture, nutritional supplements, probiotics, phytotherapy, among others[5]. The literature shows the homeopathic medicines can be prescribed using the patient’s physical constitution as one strategy to help cancer patients [6-11]. This work aims to compile the literature review done with in vitro and in vivo models describing the mechanisms of action of homeopathic medicines used to treat different kinds of cancer. The research findings showed that homeopathy can help the patient to come to terms with the disease, after cancer diagnosis which often brings with itself denial, fear and a host of psychological disorders that cause an unbalance in the body. In addition, some works done with in vitro and in vivo models have shown that homeopathic medicines can modulate the immune system, activating macrophages and inducing the release of cytokines. These and other effects may help the body to overcome the cancer. The use of homeopathic therapy as complementary to conventional cancer treatment has promising results and should be further investigated.

Evaluation of the economic impact of the care of childrem affected by IRR on the average expenses fo families

Complementary medicine is more and more used in children and though its clinical outcome has not been clearly assessed. The aim of our group is to evaluate, besides clinical result, the role of biotherapies in a bio-psycho-social environment. In another study we compare the quality of life in families with children affected by atopic dermatitis, who received biotherapic treatment, before and after, by DFIQ. Preliminary results of this study show a clear improvement of indexes for these families. So, in this psycho-social perspective we led this other study, aiming at evaluating the treatment costs in children of age 3 to 6 attending kindergarten and affected by Recurrent Respiratory Infection (IRR), the so called “ever sick children”. The expenses evaluation difference was considered between families who use allopathic therapy, and families who use complementary therapies, from January to April. So far , as the first results are being gathered , the emerging impression referring to some of the sheets points out that some of the pure complementary medicine utilizes shows significant costs as the season starts , but on the long run meet lowering expenses both about illness ( sick child ) and social charges ( school and working days loss ). The Complementary Medicine treated children show a significantly smaller number of diseases all over the examined season. The average cost of conventional care treatment stands between 100 and 150 euro during the 4 months , while the charge of CAM was 100 -150 euro of actual cost . The expenses for CAM treatments are associated to a smaller number of diseases and therefore, as for social costs, CAM user´s expenses prove less charging.

Pemberian Terapi Minyak Jahe Merah Dalam Mengurangi Intensitas Nyeri Sendi Pada Lansia

ABSTRAK Lansia merupakan populasi yang mayoritas memiliki masalah nyeri sendi. Proses penuaan dan penyakit penyerta membuat lansia mengalami nyeri sendi yang tidak dapat menggangu aktifitas harian dan pergerakan. Selama ini lansia mengatasi nyeri sendi dengan terapi famakologi atau terapi obat pengurang nyeri. Masih sedikit yang mengetahui bahwa terapi komplementer seperti jahe merah dapat membantu menguragi nyeri sendi. Jahe merah mempunyai kandungan minyak atsiri yang digunakan sebagai pengurang rasa nyeri. Tujuan kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini adalah mengidentifikasi efektifitas terapi jahe merah terhadap intensitas nyeri sendi pada lansia. Metode kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini adalah sosialisasi dan demonstrasi terapi minyak jahe merah pada lokasi nyeri sendi. Sebanyak 25 lansia berpartisipasi aktif dalam kegiatan ini. Sebelum terapi minyak jahe merah ditemukan 90 % lansia dengan instensitas nyeri 6-7 (nyeri berat). Setelah dilakukan terapi minyak jahe merah 95 % lansia dengan intensitas nyeri menjadi skala 4-5 (nyeri ringan). Hal ini menunjukan bahwa terapi minyak jahe merah efektif mengurangi intensitas nyeri sendi. Kesimpulan pemberian minyak jahe merah pada lansia dengan intensitas nyeri sendi merupakan salah satu terapi yang efektif untuk menurunkan intensitas nyeri sendi. Kata Kunci: Jahe Merah; Lansia; Nyeri ABSTRACT The elderly are the majority of the population with joint pain problems. The aging process and concomitant diseases make the elderly experience joint pain that cannot interfere with daily activities and movements. During this time the elderly overcome joint pain with pharmacology therapy or pain reduction drug therapy. Few know that complementary therapies such as red ginger can help reduce joint pain. Red ginger has an essential oil content that is used as a pain reduction. The purpose of this community service activity is to identify the effectiveness of red ginger therapy on the intensity of joint pain in the elderly. This method of community service activity is socialization and demonstration of red ginger oil therapy at the site of joint pain. A total of 25 seniors actively participated in this activity. Before red ginger oil therapy found 90 % elderly with pain intensity 6-7 (severe pain). After therapy red ginger oil 95 % elderly with pain intensity to a scale of 4-5 (mild pain). This indicates that red ginger oil therapy effectively reduces the intensity of joint pain. The conclusion of giving red ginger oil to the elderly with the intensity of joint pain is one of the effective therapies to lower the intensity of joint pain. Keyword: Red Ginger; Elderly; Pain

An Integrative Approach to Promoting Wellness in Older Adults: An Online Undergraduate Course

As gerontology and geriatric programs look to grow their connections with health and allied health areas, examining emerging health care areas is important. Thus, this session will present key concepts and pedagogical strategies from an innovative online undergraduate course, An Integrative Approach to Promoting Wellness in Older Adults, that is taught in the Erickson School at the University of Maryland at Baltimore County. The course brings together a conventional western allopathic approach and a holistic, patient-centered, integrative approach which includes complementary therapies, to promote wellness in older adults. Specifically, the session will present a comparison of the philosophical premises of conventional western and integrative approaches to health promotion. It will present a holistic model of health, an overview of the effectiveness and safety of different complementary therapies, and examples of how an integrative approach with conventional western and complementary therapies can be used in to promote health in older adults with particular chronic conditions. Also, a discussion of the incorporation of diversity content in the course, an integrative approach to health promotion for underserved populations, and specific pedagogical strategies used to facilitate learning in synchronous and asynchronous online learning environments are included. Session presentation techniques include a PowerPoint presentation, demonstration of examples of conventional western and integrative approaches to health promotion in older adults through case studies, and audience participation.

Alternative and Complementary Therapies against Foodborne Salmonella Infections

The limitations in the therapeutic options for foodborne pathogens lead to treatments failure, especially for multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella sp., worldwide. Therefore, we aimed to find alternative and complementary therapies against these resistant foodborne pathogens. Out of 100 meat products samples, the prevalence rate of salmonella was 6%, serotyped only as S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis. According to the antibiotic susceptibility assays, the majority of our isolates were MDR and susceptible to cefotaxime. Out of the 13 tested plant extracts, five only showed an inhibition zone in the range of 8–50 mm against both serotypes. Based on their promising activity, the oily extract of cinnamon and aqueous extract of paprika represented the highest potency. Surprisingly, a significant synergistic effect was detected between cinnamon oil and cefotaxime. Depending on Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), the antimicrobial activity of cinnamon oil was attributed to four components including linalool, camphor, (Z)-3-Phenylacrylaldehyde and its stereoisomer 2-Propenal-3-phenyl. The anti-virulence activities of these compounds were confirmed on the basis of computational molecular docking studies. Accordingly, we recommended the use of cinnamon oil as a food additive to fight the resistant foodborne pathogens. Additionally, we confirmed its therapeutic uses, especially when co-administrated with other antimicrobial agents.