- Email: [email protected]
The psychotherapeutic use of essential oils
CASE The
case is presented
collaboration
The
in
with
(consultant
THE Ps~cnoTHERAPEUTICUSE OF ESSENTIAL OILS
by Ales Jelinek
(psychologist-psychotherapist) Barbora
Novakova
aromatherapist).
paper
was translaLed
Zrubecka.
E-mail:
HISTORY
by Ad&
[email protected]
ALES JELINEK AND BARBORA NOVAKOV~A
md
presented
a personal
.emporary osef,
a
client
at the
J
14-year-old
Kostelec
Bohemia
admission ]osef
house
nad
from
Orlici
from
were
ships.
Neither
his mother
He
slole
ofen
:hat he did uation,
skipped
are
prematurely
and
nicotine,
his
stay
at the
he
was
bullied,
and
friends.
oppressive
experimenting and
He
illegal
for
revolt
against
as
he had
the
end
his
to take
he became friends.
to being
able
chotherapy
sessions.
Josef
had
permanent
ments
in
he
situaof it.
a natural This
his
stay
advantage
him
to create
leader
q
to air
aggressive
ele-
abuse.
to calm
a trusting and
down relationship
channel
tensions
place
and
over
and
close
relationships.
1 hour. during
cooperalion
1 lth
with
Rarbora
then
it whenever in later
session
consultant
Novakova
it himself.
instructions
were
and
it seemed
sessions
for
once
I introduced
the
aromatherapist
asked
took
of 2 112 years,
for
included
himself,
sessions
a period
a fortnight
in
other
psychotherapy
appropriate
psy-
of criminal
alcohol
to be able to understand
Josef
improvement to attend
and
Josef
aromatherapy
started
led
to help
q
Josef’s
an open
tion
his
n
a
boyfriend. of
prevention
drug
Family
and
psychother-
aggressions
occasional
grandparenLs
his sister’s
the
for
of psychotherapy:
The
him
to his new
and
his
reason
and when
othwith
drugs.
of his stay, Josef longed
to
his behaviour
among of
behaviour
by adults.
although
Towards
Aim
anyone
adapted
Eventually
house
was for
behaviour,
in the group.
his
with
marriage
towards
began
with
at birth.
became
alcohol
At the beginning
medical
apy
his stay he had
sister,
had
denied
His
described
of conflict
Lonflict
He
submission
represented
schoolmaster
llder
sit-
he was born
a mixed
total
During
excuse
he
His
resuscitaCon
During
aggressive
and
complete;
from
he required
correction,
the
his family
additional
that
to a strong
:verything
:ontact
an
relationships
to accept in him.
from
source
in Josef.
minorities.
not
and
relation-
with
able
schoolmasters he
of interest
school
with
reasons: family;
his father
items
his family
md was not
-anged
of con-
relationships.
md discounted
vas interesled
His
nor
so to improve
problems
no
Eastern
disrupted
any form
in
at her parents
strongly
presented
my
6/i/2000.
a broken
his mother
there
ers
in
until1
was for the following
lived with
and
was
of correction
l/l998
came
records
boy
need
acceptance
had
adapting, adults.
his
behaviour,
and
conflicts
At a later
stage
difficulty
in
peers
and
with in the
sessions,
‘l’hese
on arrival I.
for
Choose and
his first the
the
ones
given
to Josef
session: aromas you
you dislike
like and
concentrate ent
on what
scents
Divide
remind
the bottles
in total)
into
a. ones
you
of
(there
two
ruce / sp 1 nushroom
differ-
the
you
were
60
groups:
do not
want
to work
which
seem
or interesting Choose
f hrgetting
to smell Note
to you
time; every
Remember down.
this
about
we will be talking
-
room
‘Christmas
for
1ogether
it.
13lue
the
room
was well aired,
temperature
with
no distractions
The
aromatherapy
arranged
base
in
two
clearly
There
was gentle,
I.,avender
at ambidim
lights
rows
with
the
shown relaxing
music
of oils
and
somehow
dismissed From any
essential
he wanted
a larger and
associations his
the oils in the order
Jasmine
his own - ‘the
room,
flowers,
ories,
relaxation,
He ‘stinks
up
a third
He
decided
from
this
associations them
to
calming, positive
understanding,
far
of home, bringing dreamy
I would
-
family,
I cannot
No one
really
‘Sadness trust
here,
no one
if I try and
want
I am the worst,
to anyone,
I
I feel line with
knows
Lemon - favourite
me here.’
ing,
no
my
even
oil number
restraints,
my
own
‘Holidays,
fun,
trust,
hith-
1>eeppermint
- ‘I don’t
know
any
more’.
I‘hen
chose
still
mother
somehow,
my
play
me - yes,
with
small
this
I
strong
phase:
‘I hate
it, I don’t
of my life,
know
me,
seems sister
closer
may
like
of course,
with oil
two
understand-
grandparents
my family
discerned
ends.’ only
one
it and
me, I am losing
my friends,
to
it ends,
understand
one understands
Josef’
from
his two
the first
group
t alked
and
the
aroma
t hrough
his body,
1 could
1:learly
separable
tkourite
phases
oils
and
as he
progressed
no
a part
I am isolated.’
discern
three
or levels.
in my
When
the
recall He
very
oil
‘Smell
peaceful
of home,
mem-
tive
state’
sadness,
times,
happy sincerity.’
enjoying family,
joy
times;
with not
but
was
before
aromatherapy.
fes-
he was able
also
ily,
e.g.
intimate
was
something
to survive
without and
their becure
to
material.
personal
somehow
was
able
emotional of
he
himself,
session
was suddenly
deep
aware he
betLer
Sweet orange - favourite number one
psychotherapy Josef
was
gains,
with and
Psychotherapeutic effect of the first ~rom~thera~y session completed,
neu-
words: smell
unload
With
help’
I6ucalyptus-
if I asked
even
the relationship
- ‘Forgiveness’
t.o inhale
Without
he chose
comprehension,
- ‘presents,
it was
f illness’
with.
as the
made
in my
familiar
exotics’.
oils.
I list
as
to home.
group
he
group.
using
to work
other
of ‘neutral’ his
oils
of plants
places’
I,inaloe
a smaller
oils were
connected
instructions
discuss
session
was left with
of these
India
group
tral
the”
Josef
smell
sadness’
i Aniseed
sorting
- “l’he
Dad
OK,
institution
missing
‘Freedom,
it’s OK
siblings,
no love is possible
cannot
other,
answer’ the
the
among each
Mum sincer-
good,
1Pine - ‘Joy,
a truthful
family
divided
were
I knew
ii. Towards
you.
she was pleased,
no love’
the
laughter,
to them
pri-
then’
- ‘Help,
and
and
from
‘With
Step-mother
it, according
quite
5iandalwood
fun
my
me,
my
with-
forgetting
to help
understands
I bought
help,
was
of security,
bedroom understanding, I want I larents t o forget all the bad stuff, sincerity’
spleen,
the aromatherapy
aromas
nothing
flower,
1Rosemary
were
bought
anybody,
in my room,
- ‘When
! sage - ‘It’s
;Wdy
The
did
-
him’
certainty’ - ‘A plant
\ /acy, I feared
playing.
group
- ‘A sort
of
we
1
the
no family,
we tried
we had
hear
memories things
can-
freedom,
and
home
was
and
belief
of my father’s
trusted
without
no friends,
sincere
good
chamomile
1he lirst
bottles
labels
instr-ucted,
the
of
family,
i ty, a bit of love’
and
4fter
memories
my
- I mainly
was
psychotherapy
what
troubles,
shaving,
and
psy-
sessions
with
morning
dad
write
ambulance Josef’s
and
! Gmday
minutes
in
‘Forgetting
justice, forgetting
Phase three
spices,
everybody,
: spearmint
chotherapeutic used
-
recall
or
of
fruit,
of aroma,
i. Towards
or any
I ny
full
out understanding
relaxed
smell
t.hat they will help me’ Tu’lang-ylang - ‘The smell
conditions familiar
‘The
together
30 about
-
thyme
1rome,
During
dreamy
cramp)
it
flat
Phase IWO - ‘Time
t ,eing
may
one - ‘Dividing
dle, bad’
recollection
signals
feelings you
ail After
kitchen’
is no need
twitch,
situations
Ttiurn’s
1-elaxation’
body
Phase
the good, bud
1Gr
any pain,
specific
ent
air,
of freedom’
( Xove
1Uild
bottle
and also emotions,
The
goes
purity,
worries,
- ‘A positive
oils
there
carefully
(irritation,
A
vdmily
leisure,
about
13ergamot
meaningful
two favourite your
Technical
forest,
picking,
5jtate’
ones
Take
“l’he
( If the times
with b.
-
losses closer
more
in
and to
his
contact
that
he
was
He
felt
that
without
his fam-
understanding, relationship.
13e now not
saw more
count
he is content family
with
refusing and
him
and
memories vividly
that
he carr-
in the future;
the knowledge
him
Clearly moved
clearly
on his parents
and
versa. the
that
he
able
with
emotion.
‘If you that
like,
would
to
Josef the
refused
house
would
Lavender recall
of
to turn
personal
lavender,
blue
of his choice:
3% and
the blend
that
better. chose
pressing perception
to
it with
talk I did
of aroma.
about not After
deep
little
and
meet-
access
the bad
times,
matherapy
stress,
and
personal
levels
is
Patchouli tension,
his jas-
oil to for
his
us during get
sessions, other,
more
ask about
his
sessions,
‘Not
sympathetic,
and
focus-bringing
goal-directed ,Josef
did
not
unpleasant talking
want
Lemon
- ‘Smell
about
of
in the
nose,
mind’
home,
again orange
- that’s
open
useful
and
and
in the
near
the
‘the joy
left
June
2000.
be
social
openly
sincere,
to give
and
take,
help
he
feels
the
his body.
and
Josef to
therapy
all over
tool
for
also for
ther-
as well
an opportunity and
aro-
as for
it to be a fast
technique
good
for
therapy.
to start,
also,
to interpret
the
view
upon and
follow
one’s
reflect.
inspiration,
disIt is a
sorting
out
self-help.
like
heart’
to the
aroma
to which
head,
also he ‘feels
- He recollects
Physically
very
although
to come
hope’.
have
influence
or purpose-built
or complete
way,
be able
and
It gives
cretion,
Dad
located and
on
oils:
heart-warming
memories,
the
carried
relaxation,
Christmas,
Sweet
talk
and
his favourite
fun,
starting
to
aromas about
joy,
cold and
-
generally
of limited
keep
sadness.’
aro-
I
in a sense
with
opinion,
complicated.
I find
he will
four
stomach.
aromas
to target
and
happy
my
a
etc.).
subjectively
catalyst
oils were
following
In and
alone
and
dynamics.
blend
sessions,
During
issues.
the
was
at
to find
be
pleased
the ability
be laughed
could
Josef
here,
moments forgetting
However,
he
matherapy
laugh’.
from
where
con-
example,
it was difficult
as a natural
of the psychotherliked
if we had
psychotherapy
along he
Josef
joy
place
he would
aromatherapy.
matu-
and
friends,
(for
apy;
in the ratio
carrier
heart
that
by his
aro-
external
extreme
useful
with
was intended
use outside
sessions,
believed our
almond
near
he feared
his own
as the
too
relaxation.’
orange,
oils
blend, were
objectively
to his heart.
to
able to apply
to his to
2 : 3 : 2 : 1. These
in sweet
apy
ing new faces,
chamomile.
these
diluted
persona1
he
joy. in his
contentment,
- ‘Optimism,
saying
he was not
sweet
pointing
pleasant
no
to radiate
helps
located
and with
perception
acquiescence,
things,
only
is able
- ‘Joy,
Cananga
happiness a state
aroma
soul,
in
wanted but
We blended
He the
to the
Aroma
you.’
situation
He
rity,
joy,
energy,
t.he blend
at - thus
He chose:
mine,
for
the whole
aromatherapy
therapist.
gives
locates
body
together
correction,
benefit.
using
the
a blend
not
matherapy
after 2 months
- ‘Plants,
home,
Ylang-ylang
to apply
be laughed
able
during
be meaningful
work
ditions
obstructions’.
let’s make
our
.Josefwas
He
Further instructions first session
to repeat
Josef’s associations
long-forgotten
and
asked
the essences.
aromas
invoked was
himself
with
of his
vice
evidently
Josef
house
This
workers.
chotherapy no way ther
the
At sessions
of keeping
activities.
of
correction
was the time that
the
time
ended a record
in by his
set
and
psy-
there
of his fur-
is
case is presented
collaboration
The
in
with
(consultant
THE Ps~cnoTHERAPEUTICUSE OF ESSENTIAL OILS
by Ales Jelinek
(psychologist-psychotherapist) Barbora
Novakova
aromatherapist).
paper
was translaLed
Zrubecka.
E-mail:
HISTORY
by Ad&
[email protected]
ALES JELINEK AND BARBORA NOVAKOV~A
md
presented
a personal
.emporary osef,
a
client
at the
J
14-year-old
Kostelec
Bohemia
admission ]osef
house
nad
from
Orlici
from
were
ships.
Neither
his mother
He
slole
ofen
:hat he did uation,
skipped
are
prematurely
and
nicotine,
his
stay
at the
he
was
bullied,
and
friends.
oppressive
experimenting and
He
illegal
for
revolt
against
as
he had
the
end
his
to take
he became friends.
to being
able
chotherapy
sessions.
Josef
had
permanent
ments
in
he
situaof it.
a natural This
his
stay
advantage
him
to create
leader
q
to air
aggressive
ele-
abuse.
to calm
a trusting and
down relationship
channel
tensions
place
and
over
and
close
relationships.
1 hour. during
cooperalion
1 lth
with
Rarbora
then
it whenever in later
session
consultant
Novakova
it himself.
instructions
were
and
it seemed
sessions
for
once
I introduced
the
aromatherapist
asked
took
of 2 112 years,
for
included
himself,
sessions
a period
a fortnight
in
other
psychotherapy
appropriate
psy-
of criminal
alcohol
to be able to understand
Josef
improvement to attend
and
Josef
aromatherapy
started
led
to help
q
Josef’s
an open
tion
his
n
a
boyfriend. of
prevention
drug
Family
and
psychother-
aggressions
occasional
grandparenLs
his sister’s
the
for
of psychotherapy:
The
him
to his new
and
his
reason
and when
othwith
drugs.
of his stay, Josef longed
to
his behaviour
among of
behaviour
by adults.
although
Towards
Aim
anyone
adapted
Eventually
house
was for
behaviour,
in the group.
his
with
marriage
towards
began
with
at birth.
became
alcohol
At the beginning
medical
apy
his stay he had
sister,
had
denied
His
described
of conflict
Lonflict
He
submission
represented
schoolmaster
llder
sit-
he was born
a mixed
total
During
excuse
he
His
resuscitaCon
During
aggressive
and
complete;
from
he required
correction,
the
his family
additional
that
to a strong
:verything
:ontact
an
relationships
to accept in him.
from
source
in Josef.
minorities.
not
and
relation-
with
able
schoolmasters he
of interest
school
with
reasons: family;
his father
items
his family
md was not
-anged
of con-
relationships.
md discounted
vas interesled
His
nor
so to improve
problems
no
Eastern
disrupted
any form
in
at her parents
strongly
presented
my
6/i/2000.
a broken
his mother
there
ers
in
until1
was for the following
lived with
and
was
of correction
l/l998
came
records
boy
need
acceptance
had
adapting, adults.
his
behaviour,
and
conflicts
At a later
stage
difficulty
in
peers
and
with in the
sessions,
‘l’hese
on arrival I.
for
Choose and
his first the
the
ones
given
to Josef
session: aromas you
you dislike
like and
concentrate ent
on what
scents
Divide
remind
the bottles
in total)
into
a. ones
you
of
(there
two
ruce / sp 1 nushroom
differ-
the
you
were
60
groups:
do not
want
to work
which
seem
or interesting Choose
f hrgetting
to smell Note
to you
time; every
Remember down.
this
about
we will be talking
-
room
‘Christmas
for
1ogether
it.
13lue
the
room
was well aired,
temperature
with
no distractions
The
aromatherapy
arranged
base
in
two
clearly
There
was gentle,
I.,avender
at ambidim
lights
rows
with
the
shown relaxing
music
of oils
and
somehow
dismissed From any
essential
he wanted
a larger and
associations his
the oils in the order
Jasmine
his own - ‘the
room,
flowers,
ories,
relaxation,
He ‘stinks
up
a third
He
decided
from
this
associations them
to
calming, positive
understanding,
far
of home, bringing dreamy
I would
-
family,
I cannot
No one
really
‘Sadness trust
here,
no one
if I try and
want
I am the worst,
to anyone,
I
I feel line with
knows
Lemon - favourite
me here.’
ing,
no
my
even
oil number
restraints,
my
own
‘Holidays,
fun,
trust,
hith-
1>eeppermint
- ‘I don’t
know
any
more’.
I‘hen
chose
still
mother
somehow,
my
play
me - yes,
with
small
this
I
strong
phase:
‘I hate
it, I don’t
of my life,
know
me,
seems sister
closer
may
like
of course,
with oil
two
understand-
grandparents
my family
discerned
ends.’ only
one
it and
me, I am losing
my friends,
to
it ends,
understand
one understands
Josef’
from
his two
the first
group
t alked
and
the
aroma
t hrough
his body,
1 could
1:learly
separable
tkourite
phases
oils
and
as he
progressed
no
a part
I am isolated.’
discern
three
or levels.
in my
When
the
recall He
very
oil
‘Smell
peaceful
of home,
mem-
tive
state’
sadness,
times,
happy sincerity.’
enjoying family,
joy
times;
with not
but
was
before
aromatherapy.
fes-
he was able
also
ily,
e.g.
intimate
was
something
to survive
without and
their becure
to
material.
personal
somehow
was
able
emotional of
he
himself,
session
was suddenly
deep
aware he
betLer
Sweet orange - favourite number one
psychotherapy Josef
was
gains,
with and
Psychotherapeutic effect of the first ~rom~thera~y session completed,
neu-
words: smell
unload
With
help’
I6ucalyptus-
if I asked
even
the relationship
- ‘Forgiveness’
t.o inhale
Without
he chose
comprehension,
- ‘presents,
it was
f illness’
with.
as the
made
in my
familiar
exotics’.
oils.
I list
as
to home.
group
he
group.
using
to work
other
of ‘neutral’ his
oils
of plants
places’
I,inaloe
a smaller
oils were
connected
instructions
discuss
session
was left with
of these
India
group
tral
the”
Josef
smell
sadness’
i Aniseed
sorting
- “l’he
Dad
OK,
institution
missing
‘Freedom,
it’s OK
siblings,
no love is possible
cannot
other,
answer’ the
the
among each
Mum sincer-
good,
1Pine - ‘Joy,
a truthful
family
divided
were
I knew
ii. Towards
you.
she was pleased,
no love’
the
laughter,
to them
pri-
then’
- ‘Help,
and
and
from
‘With
Step-mother
it, according
quite
5iandalwood
fun
my
me,
my
with-
forgetting
to help
understands
I bought
help,
was
of security,
bedroom understanding, I want I larents t o forget all the bad stuff, sincerity’
spleen,
the aromatherapy
aromas
nothing
flower,
1Rosemary
were
bought
anybody,
in my room,
- ‘When
! sage - ‘It’s
;Wdy
The
did
-
him’
certainty’ - ‘A plant
\ /acy, I feared
playing.
group
- ‘A sort
of
we
1
the
no family,
we tried
we had
hear
memories things
can-
freedom,
and
home
was
and
belief
of my father’s
trusted
without
no friends,
sincere
good
chamomile
1he lirst
bottles
labels
instr-ucted,
the
of
family,
i ty, a bit of love’
and
4fter
memories
my
- I mainly
was
psychotherapy
what
troubles,
shaving,
and
psy-
sessions
with
morning
dad
write
ambulance Josef’s
and
! Gmday
minutes
in
‘Forgetting
justice, forgetting
Phase three
spices,
everybody,
: spearmint
chotherapeutic used
-
recall
or
of
fruit,
of aroma,
i. Towards
or any
I ny
full
out understanding
relaxed
smell
t.hat they will help me’ Tu’lang-ylang - ‘The smell
conditions familiar
‘The
together
30 about
-
thyme
1rome,
During
dreamy
cramp)
it
flat
Phase IWO - ‘Time
t ,eing
may
one - ‘Dividing
dle, bad’
recollection
signals
feelings you
ail After
kitchen’
is no need
twitch,
situations
Ttiurn’s
1-elaxation’
body
Phase
the good, bud
1Gr
any pain,
specific
ent
air,
of freedom’
( Xove
1Uild
bottle
and also emotions,
The
goes
purity,
worries,
- ‘A positive
oils
there
carefully
(irritation,
A
vdmily
leisure,
about
13ergamot
meaningful
two favourite your
Technical
forest,
picking,
5jtate’
ones
Take
“l’he
( If the times
with b.
-
losses closer
more
in
and to
his
contact
that
he
was
He
felt
that
without
his fam-
understanding, relationship.
13e now not
saw more
count
he is content family
with
refusing and
him
and
memories vividly
that
he carr-
in the future;
the knowledge
him
Clearly moved
clearly
on his parents
and
versa. the
that
he
able
with
emotion.
‘If you that
like,
would
to
Josef the
refused
house
would
Lavender recall
of
to turn
personal
lavender,
blue
of his choice:
3% and
the blend
that
better. chose
pressing perception
to
it with
talk I did
of aroma.
about not After
deep
little
and
meet-
access
the bad
times,
matherapy
stress,
and
personal
levels
is
Patchouli tension,
his jas-
oil to for
his
us during get
sessions, other,
more
ask about
his
sessions,
‘Not
sympathetic,
and
focus-bringing
goal-directed ,Josef
did
not
unpleasant talking
want
Lemon
- ‘Smell
about
of
in the
nose,
mind’
home,
again orange
- that’s
open
useful
and
and
in the
near
the
‘the joy
left
June
2000.
be
social
openly
sincere,
to give
and
take,
help
he
feels
the
his body.
and
Josef to
therapy
all over
tool
for
also for
ther-
as well
an opportunity and
aro-
as for
it to be a fast
technique
good
for
therapy.
to start,
also,
to interpret
the
view
upon and
follow
one’s
reflect.
inspiration,
disIt is a
sorting
out
self-help.
like
heart’
to the
aroma
to which
head,
also he ‘feels
- He recollects
Physically
very
although
to come
hope’.
have
influence
or purpose-built
or complete
way,
be able
and
It gives
cretion,
Dad
located and
on
oils:
heart-warming
memories,
the
carried
relaxation,
Christmas,
Sweet
talk
and
his favourite
fun,
starting
to
aromas about
joy,
cold and
-
generally
of limited
keep
sadness.’
aro-
I
in a sense
with
opinion,
complicated.
I find
he will
four
stomach.
aromas
to target
and
happy
my
a
etc.).
subjectively
catalyst
oils were
following
In and
alone
and
dynamics.
blend
sessions,
During
issues.
the
was
at
to find
be
pleased
the ability
be laughed
could
Josef
here,
moments forgetting
However,
he
matherapy
laugh’.
from
where
con-
example,
it was difficult
as a natural
of the psychotherliked
if we had
psychotherapy
along he
Josef
joy
place
he would
aromatherapy.
matu-
and
friends,
(for
apy;
in the ratio
carrier
heart
that
by his
aro-
external
extreme
useful
with
was intended
use outside
sessions,
believed our
almond
near
he feared
his own
as the
too
relaxation.’
orange,
oils
blend, were
objectively
to his heart.
to
able to apply
to his to
2 : 3 : 2 : 1. These
in sweet
apy
ing new faces,
chamomile.
these
diluted
persona1
he
joy. in his
contentment,
- ‘Optimism,
saying
he was not
sweet
pointing
pleasant
no
to radiate
helps
located
and with
perception
acquiescence,
things,
only
is able
- ‘Joy,
Cananga
happiness a state
aroma
soul,
in
wanted but
We blended
He the
to the
Aroma
you.’
situation
He
rity,
joy,
energy,
t.he blend
at - thus
He chose:
mine,
for
the whole
aromatherapy
therapist.
gives
locates
body
together
correction,
benefit.
using
the
a blend
not
matherapy
after 2 months
- ‘Plants,
home,
Ylang-ylang
to apply
be laughed
able
during
be meaningful
work
ditions
obstructions’.
let’s make
our
.Josefwas
He
Further instructions first session
to repeat
Josef’s associations
long-forgotten
and
asked
the essences.
aromas
invoked was
himself
with
of his
vice
evidently
Josef
house
This
workers.
chotherapy no way ther
the
At sessions
of keeping
activities.
of
correction
was the time that
the
time
ended a record
in by his
set
and
psy-
there
of his fur-
is