Aromatherapy For Depression
The use of aromatherapy for depression has become a common practice in alternative health-care centers around the world. The smell of various essential oils are known to trigger a response from the emotional receptors in the brain; moreover, studies indicate that the mechanisms of depression are affected by the influence of the essential oils on the limbic and endocrine systems. The limbic system is the one responsible for our emotions which would explain why aromatherapy for depression treatment is so much praised. Though not a cure for this nervous problem in itself, aromatherapy represents a solution to improve moods and bring balance to people who turn to the use of it.
Whether used by means of various kinds of diffusers or in massage form, aromatherapy for depression surely uplifts the spirits. Among the essential oils with an anti-depressive effect we could count bergamot, jasmine, lavender, geranium, rose, sandalwood, ylang ylang and even peppermint. Without replacing regular medical treatments, such alternative remedies represent a good choice for people who suffer from superficial or mild depressive symptoms. The presence of too many side effects in the antidepressants treatments is in fact the element that guides so many people towards alternative choices such as aromatherapy.
Mention must be made that aromatherapy for depression is very often misunderstood and conducted improperly or superficially. Using essential oils at home could be a true relief, but you should also consider the instructions or the recommendations of the therapist; the best results in the use of aromatherapy for depression treatment have been registered with the practice in an organized professional environment. Thus, the therapist has a direct control of the session and the exposure to more concentrated doses of volatile oils triggers a better response on the part of the nervous system. The inhalation of the extracts is often gradual and closely supervised so that no side effects may appear.
Last but not least, the combination of massage and aromatherapy for depression cases has been one of the most fortunate and praised so far. The massage opens the energetic channels, stimulates the pressure points and allows for a direct and quick passage of the aromatic oils from the skin surface into the bloodstream. The relaxation level achieved through massage is much higher than that resulting from aromatherapy alone since more senses are stimulated at the same time. Constant therapeutic sessions of aromatherapy massage could actually help one get rid of the troublesome depressive episodes.