Methods

How Can

Initial research of clinical trials and studies done with essential oils and massage
therapy in regards to effectiveness in treating serious illnesses such as cancer.
Data was collected through a blind survey at Central Michigan University and the
mid Michigan area. The survey consisted of 10 questions about the knowledge,
use, and willingness to try naturopathic techniques and treatments. It was sent out
to over 200 students of multiple areas of study, as well as the surrounding
community and received 94 responses.

Benefit

A Deeper Look Into the Effectiveness of

Essential Oils and Massage Therapy

Results

The survey conveyed that 94% of participants believe that medications can have
negative side effects on the body an overall health, but 60% say they do not know
enough about naturopathy to feel comfortable trying it. In testing the general
knowledge it was found that 52% of participants were unware of the multiple benefits
from massage therapy, and 55% did not know that essential oils can aid in weigh loss.
Overall, the knowledge and use of naturopathic and holistic remedies and treatments
was significantly less than expected. If over 87% of the people surveyed believe that
mental, spiritual and physical health are all connected why do only 26% of people
use methods that can naturally treat all of them? It can be concluded that the answer
to this question lies in educating the public.

Christina Demaster
Lindsay Ball
&
Leah Markel MA, CHES, LLPC

ABSTRACT
Naturopathic medicine is defined as a theory of disease and system of therapy based
on the supposition that diseases can be cured by natural agencies, without the use of
drugs. These practices have been around since the beginning of time and are used all
throughout the world, and rarely in the United States, where biomedical science has
dominated the medical field. In the United States the use of essential oils and
massage therapy are two of the many growing techniques in naturopathic medicine
practices, although they are not yet implemented in U.S. healthcare systems. These
natural remedies are proving to hold great advantages over biomedical science when
it comes to ridding the body of harmful chemicals and strengthening immune
systems, in hopes to lessen or rid our body of developing diseases.

KNOW YOUR
ESSENTIAL
OILS

Lemon
Grass
skin care
antifungal, anxiety,
energy, stomach
Aches & more

Naturopathic medicine uses variety of natural medicines and supplements

for treatments to reduce illness and injury by taking into consideration
medical diagnosis' and applying different natural therapeutic techniques,
such as massage therapy and use of essential oils. The premise of
naturopathic medicine is the idea that the body is naturally healthy, and
that healing can occur through the removal of petrochemicals we encounter
in our everyday lives in hopes to support and stimulate the body's natural
healing abilities. The question is, do naturopathic and traditional medicine
practices actually work, and if so, how can it benefit you? Data was
collected about the general knowledge of the topic, through a blind survey,
research of clinical trials, and literature reviews pertaining to studies with
essential oil use in the medical field.

35
30

25
20
15

10

topically &

Myrrh

diffused

Could potentially
be used to treat
late stage breast
cancer

Is more

arthritis, anxiety

Frankincense

40

Used

WHAT IS

NATUROPATHY?

Determining Awareness of Alternative

Medicines and Treatment

beneficial in
cancer treatment
than some other
oils

Arthritis,
anti inflammatory,

I have heard of
naturopathy and
practice it regularly

I have never heard I dont know much

of naturopathy or about naturopathy
and dont use it
holistic medicine

Massage Therapy yields many benefits health benefits when utilized as a naturopathic treatment.

Bronchitis &
chapped skin

Sweetish Massage: Combines long smooth strokes kneading and circular movements on
superficial layers. This gentle and relaxing massage is great for those new to massage.

Anti inflammatory
antifungal, scars

Aroma Therapy: Combines the benefits of massage and essential oils by using specific oils for
certain needs.
Deep tissue: targets deep layers of muscle by using high pressure. It is great for chronically tight
muscles, strains, postural problems as well as injury and recovery

Used topically
incense

I do not believe
naturopathy is
effective

Massage Therapy

& more

& burned in

Percentage

Sources

Singer, J., & Adams J. (2014). Integrating complementary and alternative medicine into mainstream healthcare services: the perspectives of health service managers. BioMed Central (BMC)
Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 10 (14), 167.

Wong, C. 10 Most Popular Types of Massage. About Health.

Chen, Y., Zhou,C., Zhendan, G.,Liu, Y., Liu, Y., Feng, W., Li, S., Chen, G., Wei, T. (2013). Composition and potential anticancer activities of essential oils obtained from myrrh and frankincense.
National Institute of Health, 6(4), 1140-1146.
Boukhatem, M., Ferhat M., Kameli, A., Saidi, F., & Kebir, H. (2014). Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citrates) essen tial oil as a potent anit-inflammatory and antifungal drugs. The Libyan Journal of
Medicine, 9(25421), 1- 11.
Suhail, M.,Wu, W., Cao, A., Mondalek, F., Fung, M., Shih, P., Fang, Y., Woolley, C., Young, G., & Lin, H. ( 2011). Boswellia sacra essential oil incudes tumor cell-specific apoptosis and suppresses
tumor aggressive ness in cultured human breast cancer cells. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 11(129). 1-16