Best Essential Oils that Help with Depression
There is a holistic wellness approach to combat depression and its associated symptoms through the use of mood-boosting essential oils.
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oil is an oil derived from a natural substance and are used because of its healing properties or can be used as a perfume. This oil is extracted from the same plant which has the property for the formation of various medicinal products. These are obtained through the distillation process or any other mechanical method such as cold pressing.
How do these Essential Oils work?
Essential oils are commonly used in aromatherapy. These are diluted or inhaled and then rubbed on the affected part of the skin. These are not meant to be swallowed. When these are applied on the skin surface, plant chemicals are absorbed by the skin.
Essential Oils that Help with Depression
Depression is a mood disorder which is characterized by the feeling down, sadness or having low or loss of interest in daily activities. If these symptoms persist for a longer time and affect our daily routine then it may be depression. It is most commonly seen among women than men. Other symptoms include lack of happiness or joy and loss of interest in those things that used to bring happiness in person’s life. It may be due to genetic or any environmental or psychological cause.
The main essential oils that are helpful in treating depression and its associated symptoms are:
Grapefruit Oil
The grapefruit oil invigorates the senses and alleviates mental exhaustion and fatigue. Its citric properties elevate the low moods and provide energy to both body and mind. A study revealed that this oil is more effective than other antidepressants.
How to Use
Add a few drops of this oil to the shower for instant rejuvenation.
Jasmine Oil
Jasmine oil has a calming property which reduces stress and anxiety. It has a mild sedative and calming effect that alleviates the anxious thoughts and eases depression. It also promotes the feeling of self-confidence and optimism.
How to Use
You can inhale directly by putting 1 to 2 drops of it on the handkerchief or apply this oil on the wrist or ankle to reduce the anxiety and depression.
Orange Essential Oil
Orange essential oil is antidepressant and is a wonderful oil for energizing and lifting up the mood. This oil normalizes the endocrine levels and stabilizes the immune system. A study has shown that it also lowers the heart rate and decreases the level of cortisol that lowers anxiety and stress. It is extracted from the orange peel which has an antioxidant property.
How to Use
Inhale directly or diffuse few drops of this oil to elevate the mood and improves the concentration power.
Chamomile Oil
Chamomile has a floral and herbaceous scent. It is well known for providing calming effect on the mind and the body. It is a powerful antidepressant. By relaxing the mind and the body it also alleviates insomnia which is associated with depression and low moods.
How to Use
You can inhale directly by rubbing 2 to 3 drops of it on the hands and breathe it slowly and you may also add few drops of chamomile oil to the diffuser that will calm the body and the mind.
Cedarwood Oil
Cedarwood has a soothing and calming effect on the mind and the body. It is an effective natural sedative as its scent releases serotonin in the brain and encourages sleep. It treats disorders like chronic stress, depression thus relaxes the mind.
How to Use
Inhale this oil directly or you may also apply it right above on the eyebrows which reduces agitation.
Rose Oil
Rose oil is a wonderful oil that alleviates the symptoms of depression. The constituents present in it has anti-depressant properties. It also boosts up the confidence and encourages positive thoughts. This blend is useful in combating the symptoms associated with depression.
How to Use
Apply this oil directly on the back to the neck or on the temples. You can also inhale directly.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils and most of the people immediately recognize the lovely aroma of lavender oil. This oil has been proven useful since ancient times. It helps to combat depression and alleviates anxiety and insomnia. A study has revealed that it is also useful in treating post-traumatic stress disorder which is linked to depression. It decreases the depression by 32.7% and helps to regulate the sleep and improves the mood in patients who are suffering from depression.
How to Use
You can apply this oil topically (rub it behind the ears and on the wrists) for proper relief or may inhale directly for instant relaxation.
Turmeric Oil
Turmeric oil is the best and wonderful oil for treating depression. Turmeric contains an active constituent called curcumin which helps to boost up the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor which causes depression.
How to Use
Inhale this oil directly or diffuse a few drops of it in the air to relieve stress and feel relaxed.
Sandalwood Oil
Sandalwood oil has a calming property that increases mental clarity and focus. This oil has a powerful therapeutic effect on the brain and is an effective emotional balancer. Its sedative properties allow to enhance the sleep quality and alleviate the symptoms related to depression.
How to Use
This oil can also be inhaled directly by rubbing it on the palms. You can also do massage by mixing 2 drops of rose oil in 6 drops of sandalwood oil. Massage on the wrists or under the feet or canalsobe used for a full body massage to promote sleep.
Basil Oil
Basil oil is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants that help to reduce the inflammation and alleviates the stress, depression and provides a calming effect on the nervous system. It stimulates the adrenal gland which makes it more powerful in the revitalization of the energy levels and alleviates the chronic fatigue. Fatigue is the main symptom found in many depression patients so this oil is helpful in reducing the symptoms of depression. This oil is contraindicated in pregnant women.
How to Use
Add 1 drop of peppermint oil in 3 drops of basil oil to revitalize and uplift the mood.
