Aromatherapy

Adventist Health Ukiah Valley offers aromatherapy as part of our whole-person holistic care. This ancient practice relieves stress, facilitates sleep, improves mood and even can reduce your pain.

Aromatherapy uses essential oils — concentrated extracts taken from the roots, leaves, seeds or blossoms of plants. Several essential oils including lavender, rose, orange, bergamot, lemon, sandalwood and others have been shown to relieve anxiety, stress and depression. Adventist Health Ukiah Valley only uses Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade oils, which are free of contaminants such as pesticides or other chemical residues for the highest level of safety and effectiveness.

Why does aromatherapy work?

Aromatherapy works on the theory that once inhaled, essential oils trigger changes within the limbic system, which is the part of the brain that is responsible for memory and emotions. This can stimulate physiological responses of the endocrine, immune and nervous systems, which in turn affect things such as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and hormone release.

How is aromatherapy administered?

Adventist Health Ukiah Valley uses diffusion to administer aromatherapy. Essential oils are diffused in different areas throughout the medical center to not only eradicate bad odors, but to combat airborne pathogens, uplift and calm emotions, and disperse safe and pleasant aromas for a more pleasant and healing environment. In the hospital setting the oils are not used to treat disease, but as a complementary therapy to improve the overall experience for our patients and staff as well.

For more information on how you or a loved one can receive aromatherapy while staying with us, simply ask your nurse.