Aromaterapia para profissionais da enfermagem

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.67324110412

• Palavras-chave: Aromaterapia, enfermagem, estresse, COVID-19

• Keywords: Aromatherapy, nursing, stress, COVID -19

• Abstract: Aromatherapy is a therapeutic system that uses essential oils (EO) to balance body and mind assisting in the prevention or cure of various conditions of the health-disease process. In Brazil, aromatherapy was included in the National Policy of Integrative and Complementary Practices in 2018. The application of EO is very varied and the most common being by environmental diffusion, inhalation, topical application, aromatic massage among others. In the brain, OE sits by inhaling aromatic molecules through the nasal cavity and the olfactory epithelium immediately sends messages to the olfactory bulb. In parallel the limbic system, responsible for emotions, is triggered. For this reason, emotions can be accessed by feeling the aroma of EO. Many EOs are used to promote well-being and anti-stress, among them sweet orange EO. Objective: to promote well-being with relief of stress symptoms in nursing professionals using sweet orange essential oil (Citrus aurantium var. dulcis). Methodology: qualitative, exploratory and observational study. Participants were 10 nursing professionals, women, who worked in COVID-19 ICUs for at least 6 months. These professionals were selected because they were subjected to a higher stress load during the performance in this front line. The inclusion in the study was the identification of the presence of signs or symptoms of stress through a self-applied LIPP questionnaire (2012) and affinity with the aroma of sweet orange EO was given and guidance was given on the indication and form of use for 21 consecutive days by dry inhalation. The participants were instructed to record the data in daily forms. Data were also collected through group and individual interviews. Results: positive effects of sweet orange EO aromatherapy on anxiety reduction, improvement of sleep quality and promotion of well-being with relief of stress symptoms have been reported. Conclusion: the research contributed as an action promoting well-being in professionals submitted to a greater burden of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as with scientific production for greater visibility of aromatherapy integrating nursing care as a way of humanizing care.