Aromatherapy Using a Nasal Clip After Surgery

Aromatherapy Using a Nasal Clip After Surgery

The purpose of this follow up study is to determine the duration of action regarding aromatherapy to treat nausea occurring postoperatively.

The primary hypothesis of the study is that post-operative patients who meet eligibility criteria and report nausea and receive a blend of 45% ginger, 25% peppermint, 5% spearmint, and 25% cardamom essential oils while using a nasal clip to facilitate inhalation will have more relief from nausea than those who receive normal saline inhalation using the same delivery system.

The secondary purposes of the study is to determine the duration of effectiveness of the essential oil blend as compared to the saline in the relief of post-operative nausea and to investigate the degree of comfort participants report using the nasal clip delivery system for aromatherapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years or over
• cognitively able to give consent based on nurse's assessment,
• having gynecological or other abdominal surgery
• not allergic to peppermint, spearmint, cardamom or ginger
• not receiving blood thinning medications

Exclusion Criteria:

• less than 18 years old
• unable to cognitively give consent
• allergic to ginger, peppermint, cardamom or spearmint.
• receiving warfarin (Coumadin) or any antiplatelet drug (heparin, 325 mg Aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix) or other) or a diagnosis of bleeding diatheses (predisposition to abnormal blood clotting/hemorrhage) will not be included in this study.
• all surgeries other than gynecological or abdominal surgery