Aromatherapy for Depression

When inhaled or absorbed by the skin, these scents encourage our brain to release chemical substances that combat depression and stress and promote relaxation and the sense of well-being.

Essential oils cannot cure a psychological disorder, but they can relieve many of its symptoms and greatly improve you mood. Try using aromatherapy for depression and for other negative emotional states – you will naturally uplift your thoughts and pleasantly invigorate your spirit.

15 Great Oils to Use in Aromatherapy for Depression

Aromatherapists work with more than 300 different essential oils to treat various disturbances and enhance well-being. These oils can be used alone or combined between them to prepare specific blends for particular purposes. Let’s take a look at some of the most common oils used in aromatherapy for depression.

• Bergamot – Invigorating, refreshing and sedating. Reduces stress, depression and agitation.
• Cedar wood – Calming and aphrodisiac. Indicated in cases of apathy, negativity and mental tiredness.
• Clary Sage – Balancing, calming and mildly euphoric. Alleviates anxiety, depression and reduces mental fatigue.
• Eucalyptus – Calming with invigorating aroma. Promotes mental lucidity and concentration.
• Geranium – Sedating and antidepressant. Relieves premenstrual syndrome and sooths stress and anxiety.
• Jasmine – Relaxing and aphrodisiac. Enhances mood, alleviates nervous exhaustion and relieves stress.
• Lavender – Equilibrating, refreshing and calming. Relieves headache and stress.
• Lemon – Antidepressant and stimulating. Improves concentration.
• Marjoram – Fights insomnia, migraine, nervous tension and sadness.
• Neroli (Bitter-orange-flower) – Antidepressant with reassuring and comforting properties. Combats sadness and sooths emotional upsets.
• Patchouli – Antidepressant, stimulating and refreshing.
• Peppermint – Energizing and invigorating. Stimulates the nervous system and relieves headaches.
• Rose – Relaxing and calming. Particularly indicated for feminine depression, insomnia and nervous tension.
• Rosemary – Stimulating and energy boosting. Enhances mood and helps fight fatigue.
• Ylang ylang – Reassuring, comforting and aphrodisiac. Fights hypertension and insomnia. To be used in corrects doses – due to its strong fragrance, excessive amounts or high concentrations of this oil may cause headache or nausea.

Learn How to Use Aromatherapy Oils to Alleviate Depression

There are many different ways to benefit from aromatherapy, as well as many methods to use essential oils. Here are a few suggestions on how to apply them to get best results.

• Use diffusers, essential oil burners and vaporizers to unlock and diffuse the scent of essential oils into the air.
• Add a few drops of essential oil to your potpourri.
• Pour 2-3 drops of calming or stimulating oil on your pillow before going to sleep.
• Apply a few drops of oil on a handkerchief and inhale when you feel down or add 4-5 drops into a bowl with hot water, keep your head under the towel and breath in the steam, deeply and slowly.
• Pour several drops of oil that suits your mood into your bath water.
• Prepare a blend of different essential oils to inhale during the day or to combine with carrier oil (jojoba, almond, coconut) that you will massage onto your body after the shower.
• Add antidepressant essential oils to your regular body cream and lotion.

Create Fragrant Essential Blends to Enhance Your Mood

• Combine 2 drops bergamot, 3 drops lavender, 2 drops jasmine in 1 teaspoon of almond oil and massage it all over your body immediately before taking a shower or a bath. Hot water will contribute to fast release and quick skin absorption of etheric oil components.
• Prepare a refreshing and invigorating shower blend by adding 4 drops of lemon, 3 droops of clary sage, 2 drops of rosemary and 2 drops of eucalyptus into 1 teaspoon of unscented bath gel or dispersible bath oil. Add this mixture to your bath water or pour it onto your shower sponge.
• Create a relaxing and antidepressant solution by mixing 6 drops of bergamot, 5 drops of rose, 4 drops of lavender, 3 drops of marjoram and 2 drop of neroli. Apply a few drops of this blend on a handkerchief or inhale directly from the bottle whenever you need it.
• Make a comforting air freshener – Prepare a blend of 40 to 100 drops of equal parts of bergamot, eucalyptus, lemon, lavender and geranium and dilute this blend in 100 ml of ethyl alcohol. Pour this solution into a spray bottle and use it to freshen up the air at home and create a pleasant atmosphere.