Recherche scientifique

Treatment of wounds with essential oils. A clinical solution?

As part of our desire to inform you about the clinical effects of essential oils for health and well-being, we provide you here with the summary of a clinical observation from 2006 concerning 30 cancer patients treated with essential oils for tumors. of the head and neck with malodorous necrotic ulceration.
This article, intended primarily for nursing staff in palliative care centers or hospitals, invites us to take an interest in essential oils in the context of effective treatment of wounds, particularly at the end of life...
If you are more interested in wound care in the family setting, re-read our other article on wound healing here.

Description of wounds and environment:

Primary or metastatic ulcerative tumors are often accompanied by purulent necrosis with an increasing bad odor. The visible deformation and the emanations of the smell of putrefying flesh become priorities in the arrangement of the patient's living conditions in the final palliative stages.

Necrotic neoplastic ulcerations are often sites of superinfection with anaerobic bacteria such as Bacterioides, Enterobacter or Escherichia coli, especially when the ulcerations communicate with the oral or nasal cavity.

Patients with malodorous tumors are often relegated to single rooms because of the discomfort they impose on other patients through the odor. Current medications and topical treatments have proven inadequate to reduce rotting odor to acceptable levels.

Description of clinical trials:

Based on the multiple potency of essential oils, Warnke et al* conducted clinical therapeutic trials on 30 patients with inoperable squamous cell carcinoma with anaerobic bacteria in six different oncology units; 'Head and neck cancers with malodorous necrotic ulceration'.

The Warnke et al group opted for oral antibiotic therapy accompanied by local treatment with a synergy composed of essential oil with high antibacterial potential and essential oil selected for their pleasant odor.

The mixture consists of: 70 mg of eucalyptus essential oil (the study does not specify which one), 50 mg of Tea tree essential oil, 45 mg of Lemongrass Essential Oil, 45 mg of essential oil of lemon (essence/zest), 7 mg of essential oil of clove leaves, 3 mg of essential oil of thyme (unfortunately we do not specify the chemotype) and a 40% ethanol base.

Results :

These clinical experiments confirmed the antibacterial effect of essential oils but also their anti-inflammatory effect and, to a low degree, re-epithelization of patients' neoplastic facial ulcers. The greatest benefit of this treatment is the improvement in quality of life linked to a reduction in the foul, rotten odors which are associated with neoplastic ulcerations. This allows patients to be monitored under regular medical conditions.

Below are the results of two patients selected for clinical observations:

Case of the first patient:

  • On the day of the consultation, the inflammation, purulent excretion and exhalation of putrid flesh emanating from the superinfected fistula were maximal. The edges of the wound were roughened and a cotton drain was introduced intraorally to the external surface.
  • After two and a half weeks, pus formation was significantly reduced and the foul odor resolved completely. The fistula appears clean and the deposition of a layer of fibrin marks secondary healing of the fistula. The patient was then able to leave the hospital. Aromatherapy was continued by the wife at home.
  • After six weeks of treatment with essential oils, the fistula is closed. This development is not common in neoplastic ulcerations. In the eighth week, the tumor has grown along the route previously taken by the fistula (arrow). Despite this, the new fistulization remained clinically without superinfection and the aggressive odor did not reappear.

Case of the second patient:

  • View of the left side of the face of a 49-year-old woman with a large floor of mouth squamous cell carcinoma that has already destroyed the left maxilla. The tumor had invaded the skin, creating numerous ulcerations and suppurative fistulas.
  • After three weeks of treatment with the essential oil preparation, part of the fistulas closed. Complete re-epithelization was achieved after four weeks of treatment with the aromatic preparation. Pus production ceased and bacteriological investigations showed no bacterial growth. The smell did not reappear.

As part of supporting patients in palliative care, take an interest in the essential oil diffusers offered by Pranarôm, the synergies of essential oils to diffuse, the customizable massage oils and the Aromaforce sanitizing spray.

References :

  • *PH Warnke et al. Antibacterial essential oils in malodorous cancer patients: Clinical observations in 30 patients. Phytomedicine 13 (2006) 463–467

CONTINUE READING

Carrot essential oil: an ally for your skin and your health

Carrot essential oil (wild or cultivated) is relatively little known. However, it is a real treasure of health and beauty. Blurred complexion, stained with pigment spots, acne, rosacea, etc. Carrot essential oil, not to be confused with oily carrot macerate, thanks to its detox action, can produce excellent results.

Everything you need to know about argan oil

Argan oil, a treatment with a thousand facets If you are a fan of aromatherapy, you already know and appreciate argan. It is an oil that will pamper, repair and protect your skin and hair. On the occasion of this article, we take the opportunity to (re)discover some more technical information on the precious oil that is virgin and organic argan, resulting from the first cold pressing of Argania nut kernels. Spinosa, in Morocco... Argan in detail The organoleptic profile and composition of virgin and organic argan oil are worth a look: It is a pale yellow oil, which penetrates well. Its smell is discreet if of good quality. In most cases, it is reminiscent of roasted walnuts, or in some cases of earth or goat's cheese if the oil is more doubtful in terms of its manufacture. Average composition of virgin and organic argan oil A small half of monounsaturated fatty acids (omega 9); A good third of polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega 6); A little less than a fifth saturated fatty acids; Traces of Vitamin E. It is this composition that makes argan oil particularly moisturizing, protective and restorative at the same time. An anti-aging treasure! In terms of food, it is also very interesting as part of a balanced Mediterranean type diet. And gourmets appreciate its taste combined with vegetables, purees, poultry or goat cheeses. Most Common Uses of Argan Oil Argan is used in a host of preparations, pure or mixed with other oils, flavored with essential oils or not. We particularly appreciate it for anti-aging cosmetic treatments, well-being massages, the care of cracks and chapped skin, eczema, psoriasis... and of course in low doses on the plate for a gastronomic experience! Different qualities of argan oil For the record, it is good to know that only virgin and organic argan oil should be used in your therapeutic treatments. Because although claimed to be Natural or Organic, argan oil exists in different qualities. This is undoubtedly due to the fashion and media hype it has generated in recent years. A difference to be made between several oils is found in the nature of the almonds and in the way of extracting the oil So-called “farmhouse” argan oil The Argan tree of southern Morocco, a jewel in the desert to be preserved! Today rare, almost only found in Morocco on production sites, this oil is made by hand and traditionally. The sun-dried fruits are carefully shelled of their pulp. The roasted and crushed almonds are reduced to a paste then pressed in water by hand to extract the argan oil. This artisanal oil can be superb but is not bacteriologically controlled and is not biochemically analyzed to ensure its quality. Very fragile when stored, salt or pepper is sometimes added . This type of argan oil is intended for food consumption, it is darker in color, due to the roasting of the almonds. Argan oil known as “goat” oil Rather rare because today criticized for its poor quality, argan oil from nuts rejected by goats has a very bad smell, a bad taste and deteriorates quickly . It has been proven that the acidity and peroxide value are very high in this oil. In fact, the fruits are consumed by livestock and after digestion of the pericarp, the excreted stones are recovered . An inferior quality oil is produced in the same way as farm oil. “Industrial” argan oil It may happen that you find a cosmetic or food “argan oil” on the market that does not meet the quality criteria described below for virgin and organic oil. In some cases, an oil is sold as pure when it is not. It may be that it was mixed with another oil or other components before bottling, or that the plant was not respected before extraction (by heating it too hard or by adding solvents). In these cases, the oil does not carry the designation "virgin". Avoid such products. Organic and virgin argan oil, extreme quality An argan oil certified organic by a recognized organization (AB or Ecocert or Certisys logo, etc.) is an oil that has not undergone an extraction method that is harmful to the plant. Excessive heating and the addition of solvents is in fact prohibited by organic certifying bodies. Ideally, fruit collection is done directly from the trees. The shelling of the fruits and the crushing of the stones are carried out mechanically or by women's cooperatives. Argan oil extraction is carried out by cold mechanical pressing . This oil from unroasted almonds is mechanically cold pressed and immediately filtered through cotton or organic paper filters to maintain its natural and organic appearance. It thus retains all of its specific composition in active molecules which predestines it for dietary, nutritional and cosmetic uses. This argan oil, intended for cosmetology, pharmacy and drugstore laboratories , has little or no odor of roasted nuts . It is controlled by chemical and bacteriological analyses.