A aromaterapia é uma técnica complementar e integrativa que utiliza óleos essenciais, óleos vegetais e hidrolatos como terapia. O Mapa de Evidências sobre a Eficácia Clínica da Aromaterapia, contendo 126 revisões sistemáticas e meta-análises, demonstra que é uma prática segura e eficaz (https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/bireme/viz/aromaterapia-en/evidence-map
). Os óleos essenciais são substâncias voláteis extraídas de espécies botânicas, contendo estruturas terpênicas que atuam nos sistemas nervoso central e bioquímico.
Este protocolo foi desenvolvido para atendimento imediato e emergencial à população deslocada em decorrência da enchente de maio de 2024, na região sul do Brasil, que afetou mais de 90% dos municípios do Rio Grande do Sul e mais de 2 milhões de pessoas, sendo o maior desastre já registrado na região. Aplicado em abrigos públicos, atendeu famílias, idosos de 75 a 95 anos e mulheres com seus filhos. O protocolo recebeu o 1º lugar no AromaShow Case 2024 da Fondation Gattefossé na categoria “Protocolo Humanitário Inovador em Aromaterapia” (https://www.fondation-gattefosse.org/en/projets/winner-aroma-protocol-for-flood-victims-in-brazil/
).
Objetivo: Proporcionar suporte emocional, minimizar traumas, reduzir ansiedade, estresse, tristeza e medo, e melhorar sono e bem-estar.
População: 350 pessoas atendidas, incluindo crianças acima de 6 anos, adolescentes, adultos e idosos (Abrigo CETE), idosos 75–95 anos (Abrigo 60+) e mulheres com filhos (Abrigo Violet House).
Metodologia:
Inalação de 1 gota de óleo essencial de laranja doce (Citrus sinensis) em algodão ou gaze adesiva, 1x por semana, duração média de 3 semanas.
Inalação de 1 gota de blend (1:1 Laranja doce e Tea Tree – Melaleuca alternifolia), 1x por semana, duração média de 3 semanas.
Avaliação: Realizada pela aromaterapeuta e equipe multidisciplinar do abrigo (psicólogo, fisioterapeuta, assistente social, equipe de enfermagem), questionando: “Como você se sente após a aromaterapia?”. Devido à situação de emergência, outros instrumentos de avaliação não foram aplicados.
98–99% das respostas indicaram melhora nos itens avaliados.
Viéses identificados: (a) aceitação da situação pelo acolhido, (b) expectativa de retorno à residência, (c) acesso a médicos, medicamentos e alimentos, (d) recebimento de roupas e cobertores doados, (e) oferta de outras práticas integrativas.
O protocolo atingiu seus objetivos de suporte emocional e melhora do bem-estar em situação de desastre.
Aromaterapia mostrou-se viável e eficaz em contextos de calamidades, sendo aplicável em centros de saúde públicos e regiões afetadas.
Recomenda-se disseminação institucional do protocolo em políticas públicas nacionais e organizações não governamentais internacionais para disponibilizar o serviço em casos de desastres ambientais, especialmente enchentes.
Aromatherapy is a complementary and integrative technique that uses essential oils, fatty oils and hydrolates as a therapy. The Evidence Map on Aromatherapy Clinical Effectiveness containing 126 systematic reviews and meta-analyses demonstrates that this is a safe and effective therapy (https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/bireme/viz/aromaterapia-en/evidence-map). Essential oils are volatile substances extracted from botanical species, containing terpenic structures which have an action on the central nervous and biochemical systems. This protocol aims to provide immediate and emergency care to the population displaced from their homes due to the flooding climate disaster. It was developed by the author and applied to the flood that occurred in May 2024 in the southern region of Brazil, affecting more than 90% of the municipalities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and more than 2 million people, becoming the largest disaster the region has ever suffered. The aromatherapy protocol was developed to be applied in public shelters, with families, elderly aged 75 to 95, and for women and their children. This protocol was awarded first place by the Fondation Gattefossé in the AromaShow Case 2024 Innovative Humanitarian Aromatherapy Protocol Competition (https://www.fondation-gattefosse.org/en/projets/winner-aroma-protocol-for-flood-victims-in-brazil/).
OBJECTIVE: To provide emotional support, minimize emotional trauma, reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress, sadness, fear, and improve sleep and well-being.
POPULATION: 350 people was served, included children over 6 years old, teenagers, adults and seniors (CETE Shelter), seniors 75-95 years old (60+ Shelter), women and their children (Violet House Shelter).
METHODOLOGY: First step: inhalation of 1 drop of sweet orange Citrus sinensis essential oil, on absorbent material (cotton or inverted adhesive-bandage), frequency 1x per week, duration 3 weeks (on average). Second step: inhalation of 1 drop of blend essential oil (1:1, sweet orange Citrus sinensis and tea tree Melaleuca alternifolia) on absorbent material (cotton or inverted adhesive-bandage), frequency 1x per week, duration 3 weeks (on average).
EVALUATION: The following items were evaluated: emotional improvement, reduction of symptoms of anxiety and stress, decrease in sadness and fear, improving sleep and promoting relaxation, improved well-being. The assessment was carried out by the aromatherapist and the multidisciplinary team at the shelter (responsible for integrative practices at the shelter, psychologist, physiotherapist, nursing assistant, nursing technician, social worker). It was asked the question to the sheltere: "How are you feeling after using aromatherapy?". Other assessment tools and protocols were not used due to the emergency care situation in this calamity.
RESULTS: 98 to 99% of responses were positive regarding the improvement of the items evaluated.
RESEARCH BIAS: these were the identified biases: (a) the sheltered person begins to accept the situation, (b) the prospect of returning to the home, (c) positive effect of access to doctors, medicines and food, (d) getting new clean clothes and blankets from donations, (e) receiving other integrative practices.
CONCLUSION: This aromatherapy protocol achieved the proposed objective: to provide emotional support, minimize emotional trauma, reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress, sadness, fear, and improve sleep and well-being. Aromatherapy is a viable and effective tool to be used in cases of catastrophes, calamities and extreme suffering (collective in large populations or individual). This protocol can be used in public health centers in cities and regions. The recommendation is that this aromatherapy protocol will be disseminated institutionally to national public policies and international non-profit organizations (NGOs) in order to make this service available to the population in cases of environmental disasters and tragedies, especially floods.
