5 Top Essential Oils for Depression

Essential oils provide wonderful benefits to the body when used correctly, but did you know that aromatherapy can have a powerful effect on the mind and emotions? 

Whether you wish to create, motivation and enthusiasm, calm and introspection, purification and clarity, aromatherapy is a wonderful holistic tool for creating emotional and psychological wellbeing.

Depression

According to Beyond Blue, Depression is defined as the following …

“While we all feel sad, moody or low from time to time, some people experience  these feelings intensely, for long periods of time (weeks, months or even years) and sometimes without any apparent reason. Depression is more than just a low mood – it's a serious condition that affects your physical and mental health.”

The Complete Guide of Aromatherapy regards Depression as:

“One of the most common human experiences.  We may all experience it, at some stage of our life, or through those of our family and friends.  We tend to think of depression as a natural response to the ups and downs of life.  We are usually able to attribute depression to something specific, such as a death in the family, the loss of a job, a failure in love, feeling trapped or unproductive in one’s life, or coping with life threatening or debilitating  physical disease.”

Whilst is always a good idea to seek professional help, aromatherapy can be of immense benefit when combined with other holistic tools.

The following essentials are listed as being useful in cases of depression by Salvatore Battaglia’s Book, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy:

• Sweet Basil
• Bergamot
• Roman Chamomile
• Clary Sage
• Cypress
• Frankincense
• Geranium
• Jasmine
• Lavender
• Lemon
• Mandarin
• Sweet Marjoram
• May Chang
• Melissa (Aka Lemon balm)
• Neroli
• Peppermint
• Pine
• Rose
• Sandalwood
• Tangerine
• Ylang Ylang

Intuition can be your greatest guide when choosing an essential oil, experiencing the aroma of an oil that appeals from the above list is a great start.

My top 5 essential oils to help lift the mood and bring sunshine into your life when you are feeling low are:

#1 Jasmine

Also known as the flower of optimism can allow you to stop living in the past and  enjoy what offers you now.  Jasmine is also emotionally soothing and relaxing, and is a heart oil.  Caution: Do not use in pregnancy.

#2 Neroli

Can also be referred to as orange blossom, Neroli is another flower that is balancing, soothing and uplifting.  Neroli is especially useful for relieving sadness and insomnia.  Neroli is a crown oil and can break procrastination and help you move forward in life.

#3 Lavender

Lavender is known as the Grandmother of flowers. Lavender is soothing and calming, a wonderful oil to combat insomnia, headaches and irritability.  Lavender has been said to increase serotonin (the feel good hormone) in the brain.  Lavender is also a heart oil.

#4 Geranium

Beautiful Geranium (or Rose Geranium) balances moods (as well as skin), calming irritability, and emotions.  A beautiful uplifting oil that is also a heart oil.

#5 Peppermint

Peppermint, best known for digestive upsets and tension, is a refreshing uplifting oil.  It can ease headaches and pains, reduce fatigue and aid respiratory disorders.   A throat oil encourages you to go out and live your dreams.

That’s 5, but I just couldn’t leave out this wonderful flower:

BONUS #6 Rose

Beautiful rose envelopes you in a beautiful sense of wellbeing and love.  Soothes the heart and all body systems including the skin.  Another heart oil, no wonder it can bring comfort in times of distress or depression.

Other Considerations Include

• Nutritional aspects (deficiencies in Vitamin B, Calcium and Magnesium should be dealt with)
• Herbs (i.e. St John’s wort is a potent anti-depressant – not to be taken with pharmaceutical anti-depressants)
• Exercise
• Avoiding stressful situations
• Having a reassuring ear to talk to

Beyond Blue can be reached or support on 1300 22 4636