How autism affects sensory perception is a very complex issue. In fact, some authors describe autism as a disorder of the senses rather than a social dysfunction, where each sense operates in isolation, the brain unable to organize the stimuli in any meaningful way (Hatch-Rasmussen 1995, p1). The brain relies on information gathered by various sensory receptors such as touch, smell, taste, hearing and sight in order to make sense of our environment. The disruption caused by a sensory disorder as to how the information is organized in the brain can have a devastating effect on how a situation is perceived and understood (Siegel 1996, p79). The author Donna Williams, herself diagnosed autistic, makes many references to what she calls sensory shutdown, which occurs when an autistic individual is subjected to too much sensory stimuli and the brain cannot cope (Williams 1996. Pg.126) Many people with autism will experience hypersensitivity to certain stimuli resulting in actual physical pain of sensory overload. (Waterhouse 1995, p.19). This is why I undertook with great trepidation some aromatherapy sessions with a small group of autistic children attending a special school in Bristol.

I decided not to use aromatherapy in the traditional healing sense, but to use some of the safe oils (chamomile, lavender, peppermint, geranium) to stimulate the sense of smell and to use foot and hand massage techniques to explore the relationship of touch as an aid to developing trust and communication. Initially I expected the children to be resistant, or even hostile to such a new activity. However, I was surprised at their interest and some of the unexpected responses to the experience of smell, touch and massage, hot and cold. Immediately obvious was their enjoyment of a new and interesting activity. As the sessions progressed, the opportunities for interaction became more frequent, leading to valuable opportunities to communicate with some very difficult children.

The group was a small class of 6 junior aged children, all severely autistic and non-verbal. The class comprised of a mixture of learning styles:  one child being mono-sensory, only able to use one sense at a time, 2 very tactile defensive children, resistant to any form of contact; one severely hyperactive child with obvious attention deficit, unable to sit still for longer than 3-4 seconds at a time; another child being a kinesthetical learner and very inquisitive, the remaining child solely a functional learner, motivated only by constant need to self-stimulate - but often self-stimulation would include smell and tactile fixations.

Very aware that many individuals affected by autism can be hypersensitive to strong smells, I was surprised to see positive responses in all but one of the children to a dilute peppermint essential oil solution being sprayed near their arms and into the air. 3 of the children were obviously interested and indicated for me to repeat the experience. One child in particular kept smelling his hands and laughing, unable to smell and look at his hands at the same time. Normally he found the process of having to suddenly switch off one sense in order to use another quite difficult, which would result in much frustration. During the smelling sessions he soon learnt to shut his eyes while he sniffed at his hands.

More surprisingly was the interest shown by one of the tactile defensive children in a small pillowcase filled with dried cracked wheat impregnated with chamomile oil, heated in the microwave until quite warm. The bag was floppy and, heavy and the child immediately placed it on the back of his neck, remaining motionless for the rest of the session. This child was usually quite fidgety, always trying to place himself in a particular position in order to feel safe and comfortable.

A further session of hand massage with grapeseed oil was enjoyed by most of the children - particularly the functional learner whose need to self-stimulate included spitting on his hands and rubbing it in. By allowing him to indulge, but in an acceptable and reciprocal way, he remained calm and interested in what was going on around him, even able to indicate preferences for which hand to be massaged and when to use more oil. More startlingly, after several sessions, he would sit at the table unprompted and patiently waited his turn, something he would not do very often.

The more able and inquisitive child began to massage the hands of another child - an enormous step forward for both children, particularly as the receiver was touch defensive. The other child normally resistant to touch continued to be more interested in the heat cushion until I gave him an ice pack (the type normally used for sports injuries), this then immediately took preference. Again he placed it carefully on the back of his neck. While the ice pack was in place, he was totally passive to staff who were able to put their hands on his shoulder and massage his hands. Normally he would have screamed and moved away.

The only session the hyperactive child chose to participate in was foot massage. I used neutral carrier oil to massage his feet. Initially he resisted, but after about 5 seconds of perseverance, he lay on his back with his hands behind his head and placed both feet in my lap. He then lay still; enjoying a 5-minute foot massage which was the longest staff had ever known him to be still!

Aware of the often-negative effects of excessive sensory stimulation to those affected by autism, I was not prepared for the positive way in which the aromatherapy sessions were received. The children I had expected to react adversely to the massage and sensations of heat and cold (the tactile defensive ones) were the most accepting - as if the extreme sensory experience enabled them to satisfy an internal need, enabling them to become more focused and receptive, (or perhaps the sensation of the heat and ice pack was so overwhelming; they were oblivious to things that would normally make them feel very uncomfortable). The child whom I thought would most resist new smells was the most fascinated and amused by the experience.  Because of his obvious enjoyment he was highly motivated to find ways to regulate incoming sensory stimulation by switching off one sense while receiving another, a skill that could be adapted for use in other situations - a skill that is also pursued in Sensory Integration Theory (Hatch-Rasmussen 1995, p1).

For the most difficult and aggressive child, the sessions were a legitimate way to satisfy a constant need to self stimulate, yet still being able to practice the valuable social skills of sitting in a group and turn-taking without feeling  the need to become aggressive or disruptive.

For all of the children, the experience of aromatherapy has led to new opportunities for interaction and communication. The sessions have given staff new ideas for interacting with some very isolated and difficult children.

expands alveoli (tiny air sacs of lungs)
temporarily expands lung capacity
increases air flow into lungs
increases oxygen flow to body
has stimulative effect
its effects are immediate
acts as a decongestant
reduces nasal dripping
reduces nasal stuffiness
helps to clear sinuses
reduces severity of sinusitis
can prevent some asthma attacks
can cure some cases of asthma
reduces severity of asthma attacks
reduces severity of some respiratory allergies
thins mucus in nasal passages
thins mucus in bronchial passages
thins mucus in lungs
mucus thinning effect reduces chances of
getting lung infections
good expectorant
can reduce coughing
good for treating chronic bronchitis
helps clear mucus from obstructed "smoker's lungs"
helps clear up raspy chest coughs
helps clear mucus from bronchial tubes
used to treat whooping cough
can prevent colds and flus
reduces the length and severity
of colds and flus
reduces the severity of symptoms
from colds and flus
reduces the severity of symptoms from croup

• Cleansing Scrub: Honey mixed with ground almonds makes an excellent facial cleansing scrub.
• Skin Firming Mask: A tablespoon of honey whisked together with an egg white, 1 teaspoon of glycerin and about 1/4 cup of flour 2 drops of Lemon essential oil makes an excellent firming mask. Just smooth on the face, leave on 15 minutes, and rinse off with warm water. You will be pleased with the results.
• Skin Moisturizer: Honey also makes a great moisturizing pack. Just mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 2 teaspoons of whole milk, adding a drop of Rose Otto or Frankincense essential oil -  heals and nourishes facial tissues - smooth over the face and throat, and let it do its job for 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, and finish splashing with cold water.
• Lotion for Dry Patches: Honey also makes a great lotion for dry patches of skin on hands, elbows, or other parts. Just mix 1 teaspoon of honey with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, 2 drops of Lemon essential oil and a 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply to hands, elbows, heels of your foot, etc., and wash off after 15 minutes. Fast relief! Other Essential oils you could use instead; Camphor, Lavender or Grapefruit.
• Cure for Chapped Lips and Acne: Honey works well on chapped lips and for acne add a drop or two of Lemon or Tea Tree essential oil because it has antibacterial properties.
• Shampoo & Conditioner for Dull Hair: Wash hair with 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of honey with your favorite shampoo. To give your hair lustrous shine, mix 1 teaspoon of honey into 4 cups of warm water. Use as a hair rinse. And if you're a blond, add the juice of 1 lemon, too.
• Antibacterial Mouthwash: Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with a cup of warm water and one drop of Tea Tree. Use it as a mouthwash. Honey cleans teeth and dentures, and kills germs in the mouth.You could add 2 drops of X-Plague.
  

These complex proteins are the catalysts that control almost all of the body's processes. 
Today, modern enzyme therapy relies primarily on preparations that contain protein splitting enzymes known as proteases, that are drawn from plant and animal sources. These are taken internally or applied externally for inflammations, infections and rheumatism and as a supplementary treatment to cancer therapies.

Enzymes can alleviate digestive disorders, boost the body's ability to battle infection and reduce unwanted immune reactions, as in the case of allergies. Enzymes may also be used for relieving autoimmune illnesses. Enzymes can serve as decongestants and pain relievers and in many cases they help speed the healing of wounds. They have been shown to support the therapeutic action of antibiotics and some chemotherapy and at the same time they improve the body's tolerance for many of these drugs. read more > > >