Essential oils can be a powerful addition to help relieve your anxiety, stress, depression and other mood disorders. There is much research supporting the use of aromatherapy as we can see from this summary in a 2013 paper:
“Molecular medical research on aromatherapy has been steadily increasing for use as an adjuvant therapy in managing psychiatric disorders and to examine its therapeutic mechanisms. Most studies, as well as clinically applied experience, have indicated that various essential oils, such as lavender, lemon and bergamot can help to relieve stress, anxiety, depression and other mood disorders. Most notably, inhalation of essential oils can communicate signals to the olfactory system and stimulate the brain to exert neurotransmitters (e.g. serotonin and dopamine) thereby further regulating mood.”
Today, I’m sharing a guest post on how to use essential oils, written by AnnaLaura Brown:
As anyone who suffers from anxiety and depression knows, it’s really hard on your life and can make it difficult to live a normal life. The drugs that are often prescribed can help but in many cases they don’t completely fix the problem and the side effects can make your health and the rest of your life even worse. So what can you do? While there are a variety of available options, essential oils have been proven to be a great natural solution. Essential oils are extracted from plants and because they are not a synthetic drug they have virtually no side effects. That said as with all products that are a form of medicine if you are currently taking drugs, then you want to talk with your doctor before you begin using essential oils.
Here are some tips to help you survive and thrive with anxiety and depression while using essential oils.
- If you are not on drugs now, don’t start using them and begin using essential oils instead.
- If you are on drugs now, talk with your doctor about your desire to gradually stop using them and work out a program to get off them over time and to begin using essential oils.
- Start slowly by trying one essential oil at a time. Identify your biggest health problem that you suffer with as a result of your anxiety and depression. For example, if you have problems sleeping, then you should start by using an oil that will help you sleep better. The best oil for this is lavender.
- Keep using that same oil for at least 2 weeks before you try another one.
- Take the time to do some research and to learn about different essential oils and how they are used for anxiety, depression and to help with moods. For example, citrus oils such as lemon, and orange can help uplift the moods of a lot of people. There are several books written on using oils for moods so you can probably find one with a lot of details at your local library or bookstore.
- Experiment with different ways of using oils. The most common ways that people use them are by either rubbing a few drops on the bottoms of your feet or your wrists, or by putting a few drops with some water into a diffuser or humidifier. You will want to try both ways and see which way works the best for you.
- Work on improving other aspects of your life so that you can live a more balanced life overall.
- Keep small amounts of the oils with you at all times so that if you start to feel depressed or anxious you can rub a little bit or smell the bottle to get some relief.
AnnaLaura Brown is passionate about helping others discover the power of essential oils for health and wellness. She personally discovered the oils while suffering from asthma and was able to get rid of her inhalers and use essential oils instead. In the past 2 years she has helped lots of people discover the power of essential oils for a variety of health and wellness uses. Grab your free copy of her report 50 ways to use essential oils at Health and Wealth with Oils.
Sue Painter says
I’ve used essential oils in treatment along with massage for over 16 years now. It works! Great tips.
everywomanover29 says
I love it when essential oils are used with massage – what a fabulous combo!
Brad Hines says
I picked fresh lavender by hand last week that I keep bed side. I don’t know that it I can feel it working, but I do love the smell of it either way, so it’s no loss.
everywomanover29 says
How wonderful to have fresh lavender to smell all night!
Jessica says
I’ve used lavender for bed time, and citrus soaps which also helped wake me up and feel better when I used to wake up lethargic due to a job I didn’t want to go to.
everywomanover29 says
Wonderful! I must say I enjoy citrus smelling soap too. I also use a few dabs of essential oil of orange on my wrists instead of nasty toxic perfumes.
Tiffany deSilva says
Thank you for the tips! I would love to learn more about essential oils. The ones I’m most familiar with are lavendar and orange, as well, but there are so many!
Mitch Tublin says
Just when you thought you heard it all!
I had no idea how much impact these oils
may have on your mind and body. I do often
light scented candles when writing. Never
thought about trying oils.
everywomanover29 says
So pleased to be sharing something new with you Mitch! I would encourage you to check out your scented candles and make sure they are not toxic (many are)
Mira Dessy says
I love essential oils and use them in my practice. It’s amazing how powerful they are. Another great tip for those who are feeling overwhelmed is to put a drop or two in the center of one of your palms. Rub your hands together and then cup them over your nose, breathing in slowly and deeply. Really helps!
everywomanover29 says
Mmmmm, lovely! thanks Mira!
Shaye says
I have been suffering from insomnia, I’ll go to bed at 9:30 to get a head start and cant fall asleep until around 2 am. I have been on prozac for 5 years and started weening myself off. I decided maybe this is not the right time so I went back on the full dose. I do however want to get off it eventually and was wondering if the oils are safe to put on while on medication? I ordered the “serenity” blend and am waiting for it in the mail. I am aware that this is all phsycological and was wondering how the oils can cure my insomnia if it is phsychologically based? Thanks!!!
everywomanover29 says
Hi Shaye
I can’t comment about you specifically and am not an expert in essential oils. I can say that many factors cause insomnia: low serotonin, low GABA, low blood sugar, gluten, sugar, high cortisol, caffeine and many more. I’d suggest investigating these areas too