Can Aromatherapy Help With Depression?
From anxiety and stress to poor sleep hygiene, aromatherapy can do wonders for you.
Aromatherapy is an age-old technique of holistic healing treatment; it beautifully combines science and art and is regaining its charm with the recent trends.
Aromatherapy uses organic compounds that can help you improve your mood, mental state and health. As a result, many people use aromatherapy or essential oils to treat mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Essential oils can reduce depression symptoms in some people, but if you’re suffering from depression, should you depend on aromatherapy for treatment? Yes, we suggest adding aromatherapy to your treatment plan, as it can relieve stress and improve your mood when used in conjunction with other treatments.
Aromatherapy is a good option for those who are looking for a holistic approach! This will reduce stress and help you find inner peace.
How Does Aromatherapy Work, Is It Safe?
Aromatherapy works by sending messages through your nervous system to your brain via smell receptors in your nose. When you inhale or apply plant extracts called essential oils to your skin during this treatment, certain parts of your brain get activated.
A few oils activate specific brain parts, such as your limbic system, which influences our emotions. These oils may also stimulate your hypothalamus, which produces feel-good chemicals like serotonin.
The technique is generally safe, however, some essential oils may cause minor side effects - they can irritate the eyes, skin, and mucus membranes in your nose. If they aren’t used properly.
Can Aromatherapy Help With Depression?
Yes. Studies have found that aromatherapy can have a significant impact on various mental health conditions, especially depression. Some other benefits include -
- Releasing Stress
- Reducing Anxiety And Depression
- Improving Sleep Quality
- Helping Ease Certain Types Of Pain
- Fighting Bacteria (If Applied To The Skin)
- Helping In Relaxation
Aromatherapy can be beneficial for several mental and physical health concerns. However, what about depression? Your mood, thinking, and behaviour can be affected by depression. The effects of depression can be felt both inside and outside of the body.
Depression affects the way you feel as well as the way you think. Some of the symptoms include:
- Sadness
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Restlessness
- Difficulty In Concentration
- Difficulty In Sleeping
So, the question is, how can aromatherapy help with depression when there isn't enough research backing it up?
It is believed that chemicals in essential oils affect your mood by triggering smell receptors in your nose.
They found that aromatherapy might help relieve depressive symptoms. Although we need more research to determine whether aromatherapy can improve depression, evidence suggests that it may be helpful. Various kinds of essential oils can help in relieving symptoms of depression.
Different Essential Oils That Can Be Helpful
A variety of conditions can be looked after with the help of essential oils. Essential oils are a drug-free option that may help relieve some of your symptoms and help you manage the condition. Here are some essential oils you can use:
1. Lavender
Lavender oil's floral but earthy scent is often valued for its calming properties. Lavender essential oil helps reduce anxiety, decrease stress, improve your mood, and help you relax. Moreover, research has found that it can help with relieving the effects of postpartum depression.
2. Ginger
Ginger is often called a superfood because of its medicinal properties. From treating chronic indigestion to nausea, there's nothing it can't do! According to studies, ginger may protect the brain from stress-induced damage and is highly beneficial for lowering symptoms of depression and stress.
3. Bergamot
Bergamot oil has a citrus scent that is both uplifting and calming at the same time. Among all the benefits of Bergamot oil is its ability to treat anxiety symptoms, a condition that can also be a complication of depression.
4. Rose
Studies have shown that rose oil has a calming and relaxing effect. Furthermore, it can help regulate what are known as "autonomic functions," including the rate of your heartbeat and your blood pressure.
5. Ylang Ylang
According to researchers, people enjoy Ylang Ylang oil's soothing and rejuvenating properties. And like rose oil, ylang-ylang can help regulate autonomic functions as well.
Different Methods Of Aromatherapy
There are several methods for incorporating the benefits of essential oils in our daily lives. Make sure you choose products that contain pure essential oils when you're making your buying decision.
Avoid products that contain artificial fragrances. Artificial scents may not provide the same benefits as pure essential oils. You can enjoy the scented benefits of essential oils in a variety of ways, including:
1. Incense Burning
Incense has long been used for various purposes, including religious rituals, purifying air, and comforting individuals. Incense is an aromatic substance that produces a fragrance, joined by a combustible binding material.
Studies state that incense components may be antidepressant and anti-inflammatory. Our backflow incense waterfall burner is a great choice for those who want an aesthetically pleasing and calming incense burner.
2. Diffusion
Diffusers enable essential oils to be spread throughout your space, whether it's a single room or the whole house. The fresh scent in the air can help in rejuvenating your mind.
3. Baths
We recommend you to not add essential oils in your bath water as they don't mix well and you don't get to enjoy the benefits they have to offer. Instead, you can use scented bath oils and bath salts to make your bath or shower a relaxing experience.
Get Rid Of Anxiety And Stress Today!
It can be extremely difficult to navigate through depression. But aromatherapy is extremely beneficial when it comes to reducing the symptoms, and it can help relieve stress and boost your mood.
But, solely relying on it for treating depression would not make you better. You can use treatments such as medications and counselling with different methods like aromatherapy, massage, and meditation to improve your mental health. If you're suffering from depression, reach out to professional help at your earliest.
Don’t forget to take a look at our backflow waterfall incense burner.