Essential Oils against Depression

Essential Oils against Depression

Essential oils have changed the way of improving mental health conditions including depression and stress. In the age of epidemic proportions of side effects of synthetic drugs, many people tend to search for natural ways to get rid of depression. Essential oils have gained enormous popularity over recent years for their natural and harmless benefits. 

 

Table of Contents

• What is depression?

• Depression in numbers

• Types of depression

• Symptoms of depressive disorders

• What are essential oils?

• Essential oils for depression

• Lavender

• Bergamot

• Grapefruit

• Chamomile

• Jasmine

• Orange

• Frankincense

• Sandalwood

• Neroli

• Lemongrass

• Ylang ylang

• How to use essential oils for depression

What is Depression?

Depression, clinically known as depressive disorders, is a group of mental conditions majorly characterized by hopelessness, fatigue, and sadness. It’s different from short-time fluctuations of moods or emotional responses to everyday challenges. Typically, it’s long-lasting and seriously affects daily activities at work, school, family and even leads to suicide in serious conditions.

 

Depression in Numbers

Depression has become one of the biggest challenges nowadays and affected more than 264 million people worldwide. Most middle-income and low-income countries are affected due to a lack of awareness and proper diagnostic and caring facilities.

Depression may lead to suicide which is the 2^nd biggest cause of death in the ages of 14 – 30 years. Almost 8 hundred thousand people die because of suicide every year.

 

Types of Depression

Depression is an umbrella term and it includes a variety of depressive disorders. Here’s a list of the most common 7 types of depressive disorders.

1. Psychotic Depression
2. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
3. Premenstrual Dysphonic Disorder (PMDD)
4. Bipolar Disorder
5. Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)
6. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
7. Postpartum Depression (PPD)

 

Symptoms of Depressive Disorders

A large number of signs and symptoms may occur in depressive conditions. Signs and symptoms may include –

• Hopelessness, emptiness, and despair
• Isolation from society, friends, and family
• Excessive fatigue and low energy
• Irritation, agitation, and anxiety
• Forgetfulness and lack of decision making
• Headaches, body aches with other physical health issues

 

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are concentrated extracts derived from diverse types of plants. Perfumers extract chemical compounds of different plant parts such as flower, fruit, root, bark, and stem. Essential oil manufacturers use several types of extraction methods like distillation, cold compressing, and more.

Essential oils are significantly used in aromatherapy which is very effective in certain physical and mental wellbeing. However, different types of essential oils have separate scents. The smell is a very powerful sense of human physiology and it forces the human body, mind, and soul to react with scents. 

Essential oils have numerous positive effects on the human body as well as the mind. Some essential oils have significant effects on depression. 

 

Essential Oils for Depression

Extensive researches have been done on essential oils over recent years and many studies found that certain essential oils are very effective in improving depressive conditions. Though essential oils aren’t considered a complete cure for depression, using essential oils may help relieve and manage some symptoms of depression very effectively.

Here are a few essential oils that showed significant effects for easing depression.

 

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)

The essential oil derived from lavender has powerful anti-depressant actions. Some studies found lavender essential oil may help improve relaxation, lower anxiety, promote mood, and ease stress in people who have depression.

 

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)

Bergamot orange, popularly known as bergamot, has been used in medicine preparation for decades. Its essential oil has a citrus smell and significantly helps to calm anxiety and nervousness in depressive conditions. 

 

Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi)

Grapefruit essential oil is greatly beneficial in the treatment of addicted conditions especially while fighting with cravings in the recovery of drug and alcohol addictions. It helps to increase hope, happiness, and energy in depression patients. 

 

Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)

Chamomile, also known as camomile, has been used in many natural medicine systems for centuries. It helps to motivate several depressive disorders. Chamomile showed significant results in cooling anxiety and reducing depression-associated health conditions such as pain, indigestion, etc.

 

Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)

Jasmine essential oil may directly impact GABA, a chemical of the central nervous system or brain. Therefore, jasmine is effective in relaxing nerves, calming anxiety, and reducing restlessness in depression condition.

 

Orange (Citrus sinensis)

Orange essential oil is very beneficial in several depression conditions, especially in anxiety. Inhaling the aroma of orange essential oil showed effective actions to alleviate tension and anxiety in depression.

 

Frankincense (Boswellia sacra)

Frankincense, commonly known as olibanum, has been used as herbal medicine since ancient times. Frankincense essential oil is derived from the resin of the tree. It showed significant actions to alleviate and easing stress and anxiety in depression patients.

 

Sandalwood (Santalum album)

Sandalwood essential oils are typically made from the wood and roots of the plant. It may help increase mental alertness and control anxiety in depression.

 

Neroli (Citrus aurantium)

Neroli essential oil, while inhaled, may help the brain secrete serotonin and decrease levels of cortisol, a common stress hormone. Thus, Neroli essential oil may help reduce fear, anxiety, and stress and obviously improve depression.

 

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

Essential oils derived from lemongrass leaves are very beneficial in several health conditions including high blood pressure, digestive issues, and depression. Aromatherapy practitioners use lemongrass essential oil for easing many symptoms of depression like promoting sleep, improving mood, and relieving stress.

 

Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata)

In general, ylang ylang essential oil is derived from the flowers of the plant. It’s highly beneficial in promoting relaxation and depression-oriented hypertension.

 

 

How to Use Essential Oils for Depression

Essential oils can be used in many different ways especially for depression. Depending on the choice and effectiveness of the condition, some people use essential oils in diffusers to create a soothing atmosphere and some people like to rub essential oils on their bodies. The aim is to get the benefits of essential oils in the most possible ways.

Here’re some instances of the most popular ways to use essential oils for depression.

• A few drops of essential oil can be added to a diffuser and inhaled
• You can inhale essential oil from the bottle directly or you can use an inhaler tube
• You can also put a few drops of essential oil into a cotton ball and inhale it
• The essential oil can be used in an aromatherapy massage by mixing with other massage oils
• Essential oils can be spread to make the atmosphere relaxing and anti-depressant
• You can mix some essential oil with milk or honey and add the mix into your bathing water for enjoying a relaxing aromatherapy bath
• You can combine 2 – 4 essential oils, for example, lavender, bergamot, and frankincense, to ease some depression conditions, according to symptoms.

 

These are some techniques and ways most people adopt to use essential oils for depression. But these aren’t written in stone. You can use essential oils in many other possible ways as per your choice or doctor’s advice.   

 

Precautions

Using essential oils for depression is generally harmless, nevertheless, pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, and people with respiratory disorders should consult a licensed medical practitioner or aromatherapist.

Sometimes, essential oils may cause allergic reactions. To avoid allergies, whenever you use essential oils try to add one drop of “carrier oils” such as olive oil, jojoba oil, with every 3 – 6 drops of essential oils. 

 

Final Words

In the treatment and prevention of depressive disorders, essential oils are very effective as supplementary therapeutic agents. These oils aren’t only respected in natural medicines but also in the conventional system. However, you don’t need to fall into depression for using essential oils, you can use these oils to increase your overall relaxation and confidence levels.

 

Disclaimer

The information including advice in this article is generic and never be used as a substitute for any prescribed medical advice for depression. Kindly consult a licensed aromatherapist or mental health practitioner before using essential oils for depression.