CLINICAL AROMATHERAPY
BY HELENA TRUMP MIFA
Diana was forty six years of age. She requested a massage
as she was suffering from stress.
During Diana’s first visit she talked nervously,
rapidly and incessantly about her problems. The most stressful
and acute problem were her Herpes blisters, which manifested
themselves regularly one week before menstruation, on her
buttocks, and were extremely painful. She constantly took
the drug Acyclovir in large doses to keep the virus under
control. She also suffered with Arthritis, mainly in the
wrists/hands, ankles/feet, and also had a perpetual aching
back, for which she occasionally visited an Osteopath. On
waking her
Feet and hands would be swollen and stiff, for this she
took Ibuprofen.
During the course of the Consultation it emerged that she
was also experiencing a severe marriage breakdown, exacerbated
by an only child, an overactive four year old daughter.
Her husband was suffering from stress, so was constantly
at home on indefinite sick leave. Diana confessed to knowing
very little about Aromatherapy but was willing to try anything.
Diana requested treatment primarily for her Herpes virus;
this virus is a sexually transmitted one, thought to be
caused by the Herpes Simplex II virus, and often called
Genital Herpes. Once it enters the body it stays there for
the rest of the person’ s life; attacks tend to occur
when the person is anxious, stressed or depressed, usually
before menstrual periods, after sexual activity or after
sunbathing. Therefore, I decided to treat her first and
foremost for stress. As Diana was so restless on this first
occasion, I massaged only her neck/back and feet to finish.
I used Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) for its sedative, antidepressant
properties and its balancing action on the body; Bergamot
(Citrus Berganiia) for its sedative yet uplifting qualities,
and because it is often effective when used on cold sores,
chicken pox and shingles - all types of the Herpes virus.
Then a base note in Sandalwood (Santalum album); a very
relaxing oil, once said to be used to alleviate sexually-transmitted
diseases and to stimulate the immune system. Because Diana’s
skin was quite dry, I used a mixture (40:60) of Wheat germ
and Almond, as carrier oils.
At the second visit, two weeks later, Diana arrived just
as stressed out, and evidently in a lot of pain with her
Arthritis. She reported feeling calmer after the first visit,
and had experienced a good night’s sleep. This time
I used Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory
action and also its soothing action on the emotions; Ginger
(Zingiber officinale) a rubefacient, to warm the joints
and improve local circulation, a very cheering yet grounding
oil; and again Bergamot (Citrus bergamia). I massaged neck/back/arms/wrists
and hands, and ankles/feet. During the massage I very gently
manipulated the hand and ankle joints through their range
of movement.
The third visit, again two weeks later. Diana was awash
with tears, and in a highly charged emotional state, she
wanted to talk about her Marriage, after listening and discussing
the problem I suggested she considered visiting a Marriage
Guidance Counsellor, this was a new idea to her but one
which was met with interest.
I worked on her neck/back and feet, again with 40:60 Wheat
germ and Almond as carriers, along with Jasmine (Jasminum
grandifiorum) for the severe depression and lack of confidence,
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) interestingly enough, Diana’s
favourite oil, and Rosewood (Aniba rosaeaodora) for its
overall balancing effect.
Diana booked for three weeks later. This visit saw a different
Diana, calmer, more in control of herself. She announced
she had contacted a Counsellor, seen him twice and felt
a lot more in control of her situation. However, she arrived
in substantial pain from several herpes blisters just about
to erupt. For this I made up a mixture to apply topically,
at home. This consisted of Isopropyl alcohol combined with
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia), Ti-tree (Melaleuca alternifolia),
and Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata), all indicated to be
effective on herpes blisters.
Diana requested a full body massage; this time she totally
let go’, and fell fast asleep. I used Rose (Rosa centifolia),
a wonderfully complex feminine oil, designed to give Diana
a more positive feeling about herself, working more on the
mental/emotional level. Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) again,
and Sandalwood (Santalum album), for its general balancing
action on the skin, its soothing effect on nervous tension
and anxiety and its help in stimulating the immune system.
I used Borage seed oil in a ten per cent dilution with Apricot
Kernel, to help stimulate and regenerate Diana’ s
prematurely ageing, dry skin. She reported her backache
had vanished and her Arthritis to be much improved.
Diana asked for a bath oil to use at home, so I made one
with Rose (Rosa centifolia), Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
and Lavender (Lavandula vera), to aid sleep, help with the
virus and boost Diana’ s ‘feel good factor’.
At this point I discussed with Diana the importance of nutrition,
needed for the manufacture of white blood cells, of exercise
to strengthen the immune system and hobbies etc. to take
her out of the claustrophobic home environment.
Diana continues to see me monthly, recently we have been
using oils such as Ti-tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), Lemon
(Citrus limonum) and Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) to
stimulate and invigorate the immune system and aid her body
to subdue the Herpes virus; she still takes Acyclovir. She
reports her Arthritis to be ‘much better’ with
the regular massage, and her backache has not reappeared.
She has taken control of her life, is much less stressed,
and still dealing with her Marriage problems.
Out of the blue Diana phoned late one evening; to say that
for the first time in three years, she had failed to have
the monthly manifestation of her Herpes virus; she was jubilant,
a much different Diana than the one I had started to treat
seven months previously.
About the Author
HELENA TRUMP MIFA
Helena is a fill time practising Clinical Aromatherapist,
Remedial and Therapeutic
Masseuse, Refiexologist, and Sports Therapist, with eight
years experience. She works
As a Complementary Health Practitioner, being also well
established in various other
Holistic Therapies.
Helena has a degree and subsequent history in Business
and Marketing, being a Graduate member of the Institute
of Marketing. As a Counsellor she is currently undertaking
a four year degree in Psychotherapy. She has served on the
IFA (International Federation of Aromatherapists) Executive
Council for the past three years, during which time she
has been responsible for the Membership Advice Line; this
year she is Chair of the PR Committee, helping with the
aim of achieving Statutory Regulation of Title for the Therapy,
as well as all other aspects concerning this lead body in
Aromatherapy.
For four years Helena worked from a Complementary Health
Clinic in Taunton, during two years of which she also worked
from a GP Surgery, and at St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice,
in a palliative care setting. She also treated young people
suffering from MS, in a specialised local Home, for two
years. She has worked with both Wiveliscombe Rugby Club
players, and The Tennis Club, treating their sports injuries.
She now runs her busy Practise from her home town of Wiveliscombe.
She is in CPD - Continual Professional Development, holds
a current First Aid Certificate, and belongs to a Supervision
Group; she also facilitates Workshops, Groups and Courses;
Lectures, writes Articles and Papers, and increasingly advises
Associations, Homes, Schools and Industry etc.
Tel: 01984 6244090
Email: helena@wivey@aol.com
