A brief guide to aromatherapy and depression.

Q. What should I know about aromatherapy and depression?
A. Using essential oils affects your mood and mental state whether you believe in it or not. It will not cure your depression, but it could alleviate your suffering if used appropriately.

Q. What should I know about essential oils?
A. You need to know just 7 things to begin with:

1. Buy pure essential oils from a reputable supplier.
2. Don’t take them by mouth, e.g. don’t drink them.
3. Don’t use undiluted oils on your skin, except Lavender and Tea Tree oils.
4. Don’t use oils you dislike the smell of, as it would reduce the overall therapeutic effect on your mood.
5. Don’t blend them without further knowledge.
6. Store them properly (away from the light, heat and damp).
7. If you have a serious medical condition (e.g. Epilepsy, High blood pressure etc.) or you are pregnant, research if you can use them.

Q. What oils should I use and for what purpose?
A. Read the statements below. Pick the one that fits your problem best and find an essential oil to try.

I feel lethargic! Try any of these oils: bergamot, geranium, rosemary, juniper or jasmine.

I feel apathy! Try bergamot.

I need to keep myself awake! Use peppermint.

I can’t go to sleep! Try any of these: lavender, chamomile or marjoram.

I need to de-stress and relax! Try vetiver.

I need to calm down and slow down my breathing! Try frankincense.

I need to dissolve my anxiety! Try vetiver.

I am anxious! Try any of these oils: roman or german chamomile, neroli, sandalwood, ylang ylang, frankincense or clary sage.

I am off balance! Use lavender.

I need harmony and balance! Use lavender.

My mind is wandering! Use any of these: peppermint, lemon, grapefruit or basil.

I need to re-energise! Try grapefruit.

I am full of fears! Try frankincense or neroli.

My brain is all foggy! Try peppermint or basil.

I need to think clearly! Try peppermint or basil.

I can’t concentrate! Try lemon.

I am grieving! Try rose absolute or rose otto.

I need to find a renewed interest in life! Try melissa.

I need to set boundaries with others! Try hyssop.

I need to be alert while driving! Try peppermint.

I need to let go of my way of thinking! Try frankincense.

I need to feel more confident! Try jasmine.

I feel shy! Try jasmine.

I feel so angry! Try german chamomile or ylang ylang.

I need to open and soften my angry heart! Try rose absolute or rose otto.

I want to feel sexy! Try rose, jasmine, ylang ylang.

I want to stop feeling sexy! Try marjoram.

I am not sure what I need? Use lavender.

Q. How can I use essential oils?
A. There are plenty of different ways to use essential oils. Just a few ideas to get you started:

– Sniff it from the bottle.
– Put a few drops on a tissue and leave it next to you.
– Put a few drops (6 drops) on a cotton wool ball and sit it on a heated radiator.
– Diffuse or vaporise your chosen essential oil.
– Make a bath oil (mix 4-8 drops of oil in 1tsp (5ml) of base oil and add it to your bath).
– Make a body oil, a body lotion, perfume.
– Make a room spray (use a glass spray bottle and add cold water mixed with essential oil (ratio: add 3 drops of essential oil to 1tsp/5 ml of water, shake well every time you use it).
– Fragrance your personal items (e.g. scent your stationery, bed linen, closets etc.)
– Get a professional aromatherapy massage.

I hope you enjoyed this brief guide. I surely enjoyed putting it together, as well as acquiring and testing a few of the essential oils I hadn’t tried before.

I would like to hear your comments. Anything I missed that is working wonders for you? Please share!

Stay strong, remain hopeful and seek inspiration!