Using Aromatherapy for Moods

Aromatherapy has become a buzzword lately for the health and beauty industry, and essential oils are no doubt excellent for the skin. But aromatherapy is actually a type of alternative medicine that dates back to ancient times (they’re even mentioned in the Bible, where oils were highly prized for perfume and therapeutic value). Essential oils can alter mood because of their direct action on the brain, and they are used to treat a variety of ailments. And one of the most frequent uses of aromatherapy is in the fight against stress, depression and anxiety.

Aromatherapy for Mood Control

Aromatherapy is ideal for anxiety or depression sufferers who don’t want to use prescription drugs. While aromatherapy alone won’t cure what’s wrong with your life, it can provide temporary relief so you can better deal with whatever’s stressing you, so you can take appropriate action (or get some rest, or whatever the case may be). It also works well for those who do not have clinical depression or anxiety but are suffering from a lot of stress or emotionally challenging situations.

There are several essential oils that are effective in the treatment of anxiety, stress and depression. You can buy these individually, but essential oils also work well when used as combinations. I like the Nature’s Inventory Wellness Oils and keep the “Happy” blend on my nightstand so that I can use it before I go to bed every night. I like these blends because they’re already mixed with the carrier oil so they’re super convenient to use. They’re also more cost effective than buying the oils individually. If you want to build your own blends or use them one at a time, here are some of the most popular choices for mood control.

* Lavender – This is one of the most popular aromatherapy oils, period. Its scent is very pleasant to most people, and it works as a sedative and analgesic (pain reliever – one reason why it shows up in the birthing room so often!). Lavender oil is found in many commercial products, including baby washes and lotions. It’s one of the few oils that can be used “neat”, or undiluted, even on a baby’s skin.

* Sandalwood – This oil is well known for its effectiveness against stress.

* Patchouli - Patchouli oil is a mood enhancer, and it is also used as an aphrodisiac.

* Vanilla – This is another scent that many people love, and it also has a nice, calming effect. Vanilla also has the reputation of being a turn on for the male nose. Use at your own risk!

How to Use Aromatherapy for Mood Control

For quick results, you can just take a whiff of any of the above essential oils. (Remember the character Maria on Roswell and how she used to keep cypress oil in her purse, which she would sniff whenever the whole “alien thing” got to be too much? Ok maybe not. I was a big Roswell fan!)

This can help you calm down when you’re facing an intensely stressful situation. But there are several other ways that we can use aromatherapy to help us relax. These include:

* Diffusers and aroma lamps – If you want your entire family to take advantage of the effects of aromatherapy, a diffuser or aroma lamp will scent your home with your favorite essential oil. These are great to use around bedtime to help everyone unwind. Wonderful if you have a sick person in the house – since essential oils are antibacterial and antifungal, they’re ideal for use in a sick room. Also great if you have a teething baby fighting sleep.

* Baths – Who doesn’t love a nice warm bath at the end of the day to reduce tension? Aromatherapy makes it even better. Add five or six drops of your favorite essential oil to the water.

* Massages – A massage can help loosen tense muscles and improve brain chemistry to ward off anxiety. Aromatherapy oils can be used to make massage oils to maximize the benefit. Just add ten drops of the essential oil to an ounce of a carrier oil appropriate for your skin type.

As long as they are properly diluted before using on the skin, essential oils are very safe. Along with strategies like keeping gratitude journals, exercise, diet and deep breathing techniques, aromatherapy is another excellent strategy for controlling your mood.

Read more: A review of Learn the Power of Aromatherapy ebook

Listen to an interview with Lisa Fyfe on using aromatherapy and other holistic treatments for depression

photo credit: furryscaly