Essential oils (EOs) have gained increasing attention as natural alternatives to synthetic food preservatives due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antigenotoxic properties. Derived from aromatic plants, EOs possess complex chemical compositions rich in bioactive compounds such as terpenes, phenolics, and aldehydes, which contribute to their effectiveness against foodborne pathogens, oxidative spoilage, and genotoxic contaminants. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the potential of EOs in food preservation, highlighting their mechanisms of action, including membrane disruption, efflux pump inhibition, and reactive oxygen species scavenging. Standard assays such as disk diffusion, MIC/MBC, time-kill kinetics, and comet and micronucleus tests are discussed as tools for evaluating efficacy and safety. Additionally, the use of EOs in diverse food matrices and the reduction in reliance on synthetic additives support cleaner-label products and improved consumer health. The review also examines the sustainability outlook, highlighting the potential for extracting EOs from agricultural byproducts, their integration into green food processing technologies, and alignment with the circular economy and the Sustainable Development Goals. Despite promising results, challenges remain in terms of sensory impact, regulatory approval, and dose optimization. Overall, EOs represent a multifunctional and sustainable solution for modern food preservation systems.

Chronic pruritus, or persistent itching, is a debilitating condition that severely impacts quality of life, especially in palliative care settings. Traditional treatments often fail to provide adequate relief or are associated with significant side effects, prompting interest in alternative therapies. This review investigates the antipruritic potential of eight medicinal plants: chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis), calendula (Calendula officinalis), curcumin (Curcuma longa), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), peppermint (Mentha piperita), and evening primrose (Oenothera biennis). These plants are analyzed for their traditional applications, active bioactive compounds, mechanisms of action, clinical evidence, usage, dosage, and safety profiles. Comprehensive searches were conducted in databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and b-on, focusing on in vitro, animal, and clinical studies using keywords like “plant”, “extract”, and “pruritus”. Studies were included regardless of publication date and limited to English-language articles. Findings indicate that active compounds such as polysaccharides in aloe vera, curcuminoids in turmeric, and menthol in peppermint exhibit significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-modulating properties. Chamomile and calendula alleviate itching through anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing effects, while lavender and licorice offer antimicrobial benefits alongside antipruritic relief. Evening primrose, rich in gamma-linolenic acid, is effective in atopic dermatitis-related itching. Despite promising preclinical and clinical results, challenges remain in standardizing dosages and formulations. The review highlights the necessity of further clinical trials to ensure efficacy and safety, advocating for integrating these botanical therapies into complementary palliative care practices. Such approaches emphasize holistic treatment, addressing chronic pruritus’s physical and emotional burden, thereby enhancing patient well-being.

Introdução: O consumo de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados é elevado entre idosos institucionalizados, predispondo à ocorrência de potenciais interações medicamentosas, eventos adversos a medicação, risco de cascata iatrogénica, aumento da morbimortalidade e dos custos em saúde. A revisão da medicação é uma estratégia promissora com vista à otimização terapêutica, ainda que pouco documentada em Portugal. Este estudo pretende caraterizar, utilizando critérios explícitos, a existência de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados, entre idosos institucionalizados, e calcular a eventual poupança, em medicamentos, com a sua supressão.Material e Métodos: Estudo descritivo e transversal, realizado em três estruturas residenciais para pessoas idosas, de regiões geográficas distintas, a partir de uma amostra aleatória de 33 processos clínicos. Para a caracterização da existência de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados, utilizaram-se os Critérios de Beers de 2015, revistos pela American Geriatrics Society e na versão operacionalizada para Portugal.Resultados: Em média, 11 fármacos são prescritos aos idosos residentes das estruturas residenciais para pessoas idosas. Todos os processos contêm medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados (média de 4,8 ± 2,0 por residente), sendo os ansiolíticos (17,7%), antidepressivos (17,7%) e antipsicóticos (15,8%) os mais prevalentes. A sua redução resultaria numa poupança média mensal de €9,6, por residente.Discussão: O consumo de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados é superior ao que a bibliografia descreve e o custo com os medicamentos é elevado. O envolvimento dos enfermeiros no processo de gestão e reconciliação medicamentosa, em articulação com o médico, poderá ser uma estratégia eficaz. O estudo é pioneiro na utilização da última versão portuguesa dos critérios de Beers, o que dificulta a comparabilidade dos resultados.Conclusão: O consumo de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados é elevado, o que sugere a necessidade de adoção de medidas de melhoria.

Demographic aging is a problem that affects the Portuguese population, and the forecasts for the coming years are not favorable. In the context of Master of Community Nursing, an internship was carried out in which health planning methodology was developed. Having diagnosed the situation, it was possible to identify the intervention needs at the level of lifestyle of the group of elderly who were part of an active aging project. To respond to the identified problem, an intervention project was implemented, with the activities aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Purpose of the Study: To assess burnout levels among community nurses in Portugal during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the relationship between burnout dimensions, work-related stressors, and coping strategies, through a holistic nursing lens. Design of the Study: Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional design. Method Used: A convenience sample of 75 nurses from ACES Grande Porto V—Porto Ocidental completed an anonymous online questionnaire. The instrument included sociodemographic and professional variables, working conditions during the pandemic, and the Professional Wear Questionnaire for Nurses—Reduced Version. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings: Overall levels of burnout were low across emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal fulfillment. The most significant stressors were work overload and contact with death and pain. Nurses primarily used social support and direct confrontation as coping strategies. No statistically significant associations were found between burnout dimensions and sociodemographic, professional, or psychological variables. Findings suggest the presence of resilience and possible institutional or personal protective factors. Conclusions: This study contributes to the holistic nursing science by emphasizing the importance of supporting nurses’ well-being through holistic self-care and organizational practices. The findings underscore the need for additional research on protective factors and resilience-building interventions within comprehensive frameworks.

Elderberry hydrolate, derived from the berries of Sambucus nigra, has gained attention for its therapeutic properties, particularly in skincare. This review explores its potential applications in palliative care, where patients often experience compromised skin health due to illness or treatment. The bioactive compounds in elderberry hydrolate, including phenylacetaldehyde, 2-acetyl-pyrrole, n-hexanal, furfural, and (E)-beta-damascenone, contribute to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and skin-healing effects. These properties make it a promising option for addressing common dermatological issues in palliative care, such as irritation, dryness, pruritus, and inflammation. For example, phenylacetaldehyde’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions help soothe irritated skin, while 2-acetyl-pyrrole’s antioxidant effects protect sensitive skin from oxidative stress. Additionally, n-hexanal’s antimicrobial properties reduce infection risks and furfural aids in skin regeneration. (E)-beta-damascenone’s antioxidant effects help maintain skin health and prevent further damage. Despite these promising effects, barriers to the widespread implementation of elderberry hydrolate in palliative care exist, including cost, accessibility, patient sensitivities, and regulatory challenges. Future research focusing on standardized chemical profiling, clinical trials, and addressing these practical concerns will be crucial for integrating elderberry hydrolate into palliative care regimens. This review highlights its potential as a natural, supportive therapy for enhancing patient comfort and quality of life in palliative care settings.