Aromatherapy is a healing treatment that uses plant compounds called essential oils to elevate mood, health, and mental wellbeing. The essential oils used in Aromatherapy are the essential items needed to practice this healing activity. Essential oils are made from the extracts of various plant parts like roots, leaves, stems, blossoms, etc. Essential oils can be used in multiple ways while practicing Aromatherapy: you can diffuse the scents in the air, add a few drops to your bath, apply on the skin while massaging or use other methods for spreading the fragrance.
Aromatherapy is proven effective against many health concerns like stress, body pain, anxiety, etc. Aromatherapy with essential oils is believed to help with treating depression. Although people suffering from depression should not wholly rely on Aromatherapy for the treatment, it relaxes a person’s mood, relieving anxiety and helping fight depression.
Aromatherapy for Depression
Depression has become one of the biggest life-threatening mental disorders, affecting about 350 million people globally. Depression makes people lose interest in daily life activities, imposing a negative impact on people’s quality of life and work performance.
Chemicals present in the essential oils can activate the olfactory receptors in your nose & send signals to the part of your brain that controls the mood. Aromatherapy is not a direct treatment for depression, but it can help alleviate depressive symptoms when used alongside the primary treatments for depression.
Essential oils that are most effective to relieve the symptoms of depression are -
- Lavender:
The herb of Lavender itself has been helpful for depression due to its ability to uplift the mood. The calming earthy scents of Lavender can do wonders to relieve the symptoms of depression. Lavender has a fresh, sweet, floral, and herbaceous aroma that is soothing and refreshing. Most suited ambiance creator for a spa or simply the living room.
- Lemon Grass:
The essential oil made from the extracts of lemongrass is popularly used for Aromatherapy. This oil has extensive health properties, including anti-amoebic, antibacterial, antidiarrheal, anti-filarial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory. Apart from these, the essential oil of lemongrass is used in Aromatherapy for its ability to relieve symptoms of depression. It can also be used to lower down stress and anxiety, thus helping reduce depression.
- Frankincense
Frankincense is one of the most popularly used essential oils for Aromatherapy. It’s soothing fragrances and a plethora of medicinal properties makes it an excellent choice for practicing Aromatherapy. The scents of Frankincense can help boost relaxation and to lower down anxiety. Studies show that Frankincense activates the part of the brain that controls emotions and thereby helps to treat depression. Also an excellent mood-lifter, Frankincense does wonders in keeping you happy. An effective way of treating the symptoms of depression is by practicing Aromatherapy using frankincense essential oil.
- Other oils:
Rose oil and Ylang Ylang oil have proven calming effects. Along with the pleasant fragrance of their own, they can also help in bettering your breathing rate, heart rate & blood pressure.
Some other oils that can also be effective are -
- Rosemary
- Orange
- Peppermint
- Tea Tree