Aromatherapy, essential oils for depression, aromatherapy blends for depression, aromatherapy massage for depression, Depression, Alternative therapies, mind-body medicine, integrative therapies

Aromatherapy uses aromatic essences that are extracted from plants. The essential oils are like the plant's hormones: They control its biochemical reactions and relay messages between cells; they also protect the plant from parasites, bacteria, and fungi. They are the most vital substance of the plant.

Essential oils are very potent, and many are too strong to use directly on the skin. If you use them for massage, add them to massage oil or cream, and experiment with the amount to use. Even in a bath, too much of a particular oil could be irritating to your skin. Begin by using just a few drops. If you like the effect, you can gradually add a bit more if you wish.

Some oils can counteract homeopathic remedies, so be sure to check with a homeopath if you are using both treatments simultaneously.

Aromatherapy can help in mild forms of depression. It may ease mental fatigue and help with sleep. However, if you, or someone you know, are severely depressed, additional support and therapy are necessary. Aromatherapy is more effective when used as a Complementary therapy, assisting other therapies.

Uplifting Oils	Soothing Oils
Bergamot Cypress Lemongrass Rosemary Sage	Chamomile Geranium Jasmine Lavender Marjoram Neroli Patchouli Rose Sandalwood Ylang Ylang

Essential oils used for depression are basil, bergamot, cedarwood, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, jasmine, myrrh, neroli, rose, sandalwood, spruce, orange, and ylang ylang.

Essential oils that can have a positive influence on feelings of anger, which are associated with depression, include rose, chamomile, ylang ylang, and rosemary.

If the depression is associated with a loss, then essential oils helpful for grief and bereavement, such as lavender, rose, frankincense, neroli, hyssop, and marjoram, should be included.

Many of the essential oils used for depression are from flowers and fruit. These essences have an uplifting effect on the mind and emotions.

Inhalation blend for mild depression

4 parts Clary sage essential oil
4 parts Ylang ylang essential oil
3parts Geranium essential oil
2 parts Basil essential oil
1 part Sandalwood essential oil
Mix the above essential oils in an amber glass bottle, Label. Use three to four times daily.

Essential Oil Blend for Depression

Basil
Clary sage
Jasmine
Rose
German chamomile (matricaria recutita)
Mix the oil together. Place it in a bowl of steaming water (2 or 3 drops), or in a bath (5 or 6 drops ), or on the edge of your pillow (1 or 2 drops).

Camomile-Bergamot Blend

Take the following essences once per day on a brown sugar tablet:
Camomile 6%
Jasmine 4%
Bergamot 4%.

Aromatherapy Bath

An aromatic bath two to three times per week is especially helpful for depression. Sometimes the aromatic baths are effective enough on their own as a remedy for mild bouts of depression or feeling blue.

Aromatic Bath for the Blues

For mild bouts of depression

1/4 cup Honey (or almond, canola, soy and safflower)
3 drops Lavender essential oil
3 drops Ylang ylang essential oil
2 drops Basil essential oil
2 drops Geranium essential oil
1 drop Grapefruit essential oil

Mix the essential oils in the honey. Fill the bath tub with warm water and then add the aromatic honey mixture. Stir well using your hands. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes.

Aromatherapy Massage

An aromatherapy massage is one of the best ways you can treat yourself It is pampering and nurturing, in addition to very satisfying. Massage and aromatherapy go hand in hand in treating nervous system ailments such as depression.

Elation Formulation

A concentrated massage oil for mild depression
2 tblsp. sweet almond oil (or vegetable oil)
1 tsp. Wheat germ oil
8 drops Lavender essential oil
8 drops Ylang ylang essential oil
2 drops Basil essential oil
2 drops Geranium essential oil
2 drops Bergamot essential oil

Collect the essential oils in an amber glass bottle. Add the sweet almond oil and wheat germ oil. Shake gently and mix well.

Apply a small amount onto the back of the hands and chest area. Inhale the essences from your hands after application to the skin. Apply two or three times daily.