Aromatherapy is the use of plant materials and aromatic plant oils including aroma compounds and essential oils to improve psychological as well as physical well being.
Essential oils are compounds from the bark, leaves, flowers, roots, stem and other parts of a plant. The extraction of these compounds from the plants is through the process of distillation usually by water or steam. Mechanical methods such as cold pressing can also help with removal. The remaining of the plant of one of the extraction processes is the essential oil.
Aromatherapy has in recent years caught the attention of researchers as many products are available with touting of their effectiveness in soothing, relieving stress, depression and promoting healthy living. Aromatherapy candles, essential oils and bath products are some of the items you can use for aromatherapy.
Most studies show that those who use this process for depression or stress inhale or rub essential oils on their skin.
Does aromatherapy relieve depression and stress?
Many people wonder of aromatherapy lives up to the billing as a stress reliever. Essential oils serve many purposes such as reducing pain to the back and neck or producing a natural mosquito repellant.
The truth is that essential oils are not a cure for depression but are alternative to the treatment methods that doctors prescribe. They are a complementary therapy to use together with other conventional treatments such as antidepressants and behavioral therapy. However certain essential oils may help to relieve some of the physical and psychological symptoms with a link to depression. Some research findings show that essential oils help to enhance mood, improve sleep and improve the quality of life.
Essential oils also help in lessening symptoms of anxiety that are common among the people with depression. The estimate is that 43% of the people with stress and anxiety use a form of alternative therapy that helps in reducing symptoms.
Research Findings on Aromatherapy
Research on aromatherapy association with depression and stress relieving is not much as with other methods of treatment. There are still many studies in progress, but some of the few done show that there are benefits. These are some of the findings of research on the effectiveness of aromatherapy in relieving depression and stress.
- Aromatherapy can alter behavior and brain waves
- Reduces perception of importance, decreases leaves of cortisol (stress hormone) and increases contentment. Aromatherapy massage can produce some beneficial effects to reduce anxiety and depression
- Lavender aromatherapy promotes sleep in adults who have sleeping difficulties due to depression and reduce crying in infants.
- Massage with aromatherapy provides stronger and more continuous relief from mental and physical fatigue than a massage without it.
- Essential oils to use for effective aromatherapy
Different aromatherapy scents cause different scents among people. Some of the essential oils thought to have properties that help with depression and stress and symptoms are:
- Lavender oil for relieving anxiety and enhancing sleep
- Bergamot reduces anxiety, stress and raises mod from people with depression and pain from a terminal illness
- Lavadin, rose, frankincense and lavender help in relieving anxiety before surgery or labor
- Rosemary provides anti-depressant like effects
- Sweet orange reduces and prevents anxiety
- Wild ginger inhibits depression-like behavior response
- Others oils that may alleviate symptoms of depression
- Basil can reduce stress, depression, and anxiety
- Rose may reduce depression, anxiety, and stress
- Chamomile may reduce nervous tension and calm emotions
- Geranium may relieve stress, anxiety and nervous fatigue
- Clary Sage can reduce anxiety, panic attacks, stress and depression
- Grapefruit might have a calming effect, decrease anxiety and stress levels
Aromatherapy is that it does not have side effects, easy to combine with other stress relievers and is easy to use passively such as filing a room with scent. It is good to consult a doctor or an aromatherapist about the use of essential oils.