Many people make use of aromatherapy for depression and anxiety. Depression is a serious issue which if left untreated can lead to suicide and health problems. In a recent study by Dr G Schwartz, professor of Psychology and psychiatry at Yale University it was found that smell can help lower levels of depression and general stress.
Using aromatherapy for depression can help patients regain feelings of well-being if used correctly. A variety of oils can be used for this purpose, either individually or in an anti-depressant blend. Chamomile, rosewood and lavender will relax and calm the mind, while clary sage and cypress essential oils act as anti-spasmodic. Marjoram will help to balance the emotions while rose will lift mood. Ylang Ylang can help ease insomnia and improve the general outlook.
Many qualified practitioners use aromatherapy for depression and other mental and emotional disorders. One of its great benefits is its gentle way of healing the body and lack of toxic side effects. It is not completely understood how aroma influences the body. However, it is thought that each essential oil can have hundreds of different compounds.
These compounds have therapeutic properties that act on the brain via the nose and lungs. When an aroma enters the nose it activates the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, the hormones and the limbic system. The limbic system is the body’s center for emotion and memory. Using aromatherapy for depression could help to stimulate these areas and lead to a lessening of depressive symptoms.
Using aromatherapy for depression could also be beneficial because massage has been shown to reduce tension in the body and help relieve anxiety. Combining aroma and therapeutic massage could have a cumulative effect on the body – helping it to heal naturally and without the problems that go hand in hand with my psychoactive drugs.
Massage helps to improve the blood circulation and helps to enhance nerve functioning. It also helps to release tension in the muscle and connective tissues. It thus helps to ease cardio-vascular symptoms caused by stress. Aromatherapy for depression is gentle and effective. Massage as a therapeutic tool on its own has been proven to help relieve depression and when combined with the use of essential oils can be very helpful. Aromatherapy for depression treatment is therefore a valuable tool.
You can use aromatherapy for depression symptoms by using massage therapy (5-10 drops in a vegetable oil), adding essential oils to the bath (5-10 drops added to water), making a steam inhalation (2-3 drops in a bowl of hot water), or placing one drop on a tissue and inhaling the vapors. You can also use 1-20 drops in a room humidifier or 3-4 drops in a diffuser.
Aromatherapy for depression treatment should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. If the symptoms are very severe do not neglect to obtain immediate medical treatment. This is particularly important if the patient has thoughts of suicide or other self-harm. In this case the patient should be seen by an appropriate medical professional.
