Pruritus in Palliative Care: A Narrative Review of Essential Oil-Based Strategies to Alleviate Cutaneous Discomfort

Pruritus is a common and distressing symptom in palliative care, often resulting from complex underlying conditions such as cancer, chronic kidney disease, and liver failure. Conventional pharmacological treatments frequently offer limited relief and may produce undesirable side effects in this medically fragile population. Despite the high prevalence and impact of pruritus in palliative care, there is a lack of consolidated evidence on integrative non-pharmacological approaches. This narrative review explores the potential role of essential oils as a complementary approach to managing pruritus in palliative settings. A review of the literature was conducted to examine the mechanisms of action, safety considerations, and clinical outcomes associated with the use of essential oils, with a particular focus on their anti-inflammatory, neuromodulatory, and soothing properties. Evidence suggests that essential oils may provide symptom relief and enhance quality of life when integrated into multidisciplinary care; however, small sample sizes, heterogeneity, and methodological weaknesses often limit the findings of these studies. Furthermore, the long-term safety and antigenotoxic potential of essential oils remain underexplored. This narrative review concludes that while essential oils appear promising as adjunct therapies for pruritus, further rigorous research, particularly well-designed clinical trials and toxicological assessments, is needed to support their safe and effective use in palliative care.