The Top 10 Depressive Essential Oils

 

Depression, regrettably, is very common, and its symptoms, which include exhaustion, sadness, moodiness, low sex drive, low self-esteem, appetite loss, feelings that the bad days will never end, and refusal to accept invitations to socialize or participate in activities, can be crippling. Because of this, a lot of people search for natural treatments for depression, such as applying specific essential oils for depression, which work similarly to how essential oils work for anxiety.

So, which essential oils are best for depression, and are they effective therapeutically? Continue reading to learn more!

Are essential oils effective in treating depression?

It's crucial to remember that essential oils haven't been shown to treat depression or even function as a medicine substitute. Nonetheless, studies have shown that essential oils can be used as useful adjuncts to behavioral therapy and antidepressant drugs in the treatment of depression.

For example, essential oils have been shown to improve mood in clinical experiments.

How essential oils function may be a mystery to you. Smells are emotional triggers because they travel straight to the brain.

In order to register pleasure, discomfort, danger, or safety, the limbic system assesses the sensory inputs. Our emotional reaction is subsequently shaped and eventually guided by this, and it may involve emotions such as fear, rage, depression, and attraction.

The most fundamental smells trigger our most basic emotions and hormone balance. Because smells are a direct conduit to memory and emotion, they have great influence in our daily lives and can combat anxiety and sadness.

Interesting findings about the efficacy of essential oils for depression were reported in a 2008 study including 58 hospice patients. For a week, the hospice patients received daily hand massages using an essential oil blend diluted with sweet almond oil at a rate of 1.5 percent.

These essential oils for depression were included in the blend in equal amounts:

• bergamot oil
• frankincense oil
• lavender oil

It was determined that aromatherapy massage using this blend of essential oils is more helpful than massage alone at managing pain and depression because all patients who had the hand massage reported feeling less depressed and in pain.

The best essential oils for depression

Some of the best essential oils for depression are as follows:

1. Lavender

Research seems to indicate that lavender oil is one of the best essential oils for depression, and it has long been used to improve mood and fight despair.

According to a study that was published in the International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice, anxiety and depression may be lessened by taking 80-milligram capsules of lavender essential oil.

Additionally, the study demonstrated that using lavender oil to treat sadness and anxiety did not have any negative side effects. Given that synthetic pharmaceuticals, psychotropic meds, and antidepressants frequently have adverse side effects, this is fantastic news.

After four weeks of lavender aromatherapy, 28 women at high risk for postpartum depression who diffused lavender in their homes experienced a significant decrease in postpartum depression and anxiety disorder, according to a 2012 study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice.

Another study demonstrating the mood-improving effects of lavender aromatherapy was conducted on individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can lead to depression. Lavender produced remarkable effects, including elevated moods.

According to the findings, the daily usage of lavender oil significantly reduced sleep problems, moodiness, and general health condition in 47 PTSD sufferers, as well as depression by 32.7%.

Diffuse essential oils for depression in the family room while you're reading or winding down in the evening, or place a diffuser near your bed to reduce tension and enhance sleep.

For the same advantages, you can apply lavender oil directly behind your ears.

2. Bergamot

Because bergamot oil is so stimulating, it may function similarly to an antidepressant. Because it increases blood circulation, bergamot can give you a sense of joy, freshness, and vitality.

According to a 2011 study, giving participants a combination of essential oils that contains bergamot may help alleviate depression. Participants' blood pressure, pulse rates, breathing rates, and skin temperatures were measured while using the blended essential oil, which combined bergamot and lavender essential oils.

In order to evaluate behavioral changes, participants also had to report their emotional states in terms of alertness, vitality, tranquility, attention, mood, and relaxation.

The mixed essential oil significantly reduced blood pressure and pulse rate as compared to the placebo. Subjects in the blended essential oil group reported feeling "more calm" and "more relaxed" on an emotional level compared to those in the control group.

The study showed how calming a blend of bergamot and lavender oils can be, and it also showed that it can be used to help people with anxiety or depression.

These results have been validated by more recent studies. Women who inhaled bergamot oil for 15 minutes a day had considerably fewer sensations of depression than those in the control group, according to a 2022 randomized, controlled trial on postpartum women.

In contrast, a 2023 study that sought to investigate how bergamot essential oil can help university students sleep better and cope with psychological stress produced unexpected findings. In addition to improving mood and sleep, the researchers found that "a significant improvement was observed in depression, anxiety, and stress" in the group that used bergamot aromatherapy before bed.

To apply bergamot oil, cup your mouth and nose and rub two to three drops into your hands. Slowly inhale the oil.

Try applying the oil to your stomach and feet as well.

3. Ylang ylang

Despite its unusual name, ylang ylang offers incredible benefits for preventing depression and the unpleasant emotions that go along with it. Inhaling ylang ylang can improve your mood right away and serve as a gentle depression treatment.

It can actually aid in the release of negative emotions like anger, low self-esteem, and even jealousy, according to study.

The moderate calming properties of ylang ylang help you relax by reducing stress reactions. Try using the oil to your skin or diffusing it throughout your house to boost self-esteem, happiness, and self-love.

4. Roman chamomile

One of the greatest therapeutic herbs for reducing tension and encouraging relaxation is chamomile. This explains why chamomile, whether in the form of tea, tincture, or essential oil, is a common element in candles and other aromatherapy products.

Chamomile has calming properties that can help with depression, which is good for your emotions.

According to studies published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine and Pharmacognosy Review, chamomile oil inhalation is frequently suggested as a natural treatment for anxiety and depression in general, and it has been proven to be successful.

5. Yuzu

The Japanese citrus fruit from which yuzu essential oil is extracted has shown promise in lowering stress and unpleasant feelings.

According to a 2014 study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, women who inhaled yuzu aroma reported feeling less stressed and more happy, which suggests that it could be a useful treatment for depression symptoms.

Ten minutes of yuzu oil inhalation may be useful in reducing "negative emotional stress, which, at least in part, would contribute to the improvement of parasympathetic nervous system activity," according to a different study done on women during their menstrual periods.

6. Sweet orange

By lowering anxiety and elevating mood, sweet orange essential oil has been demonstrated to lessen depressive symptoms.

According to a 2024 study, sweet orange aromatherapy improved women's moods by lowering their labor pain and anxiety.

Its vibrant, zesty scent could encourage serenity and wellbeing.

7. Clary sage

Clary sage essential oil in particular has the ability to stabilize moods. Its vegetal scent is relaxing and grounding.

Clary sage essential oil was found to lower cortisol levels and enhance mood in menopausal women in a 2014 study that was published in Phytotherapy Research, indicating that it may be useful in treating depressive symptoms.

Clary sage oil has been demonstrated to assist women relax during stressful conditions, and other clinical investigations have shown similar results, stating that it possesses analgesic, anti-depression, and anti-stress qualities.

8. Rosemary

Research has shown that rosemary essential oil has antidepressant properties and is well-known for improving mental clarity and lowering stress.

The benefits of regular rosemary extract consumption on mental health in healthy Japanese men were examined in a 2020 study that was published in Nutrients. The study concentrated on men who had higher mood disturbance scores, which suggested that they had depression. Numerous improvements were only observed in the rosemary group, which also saw a considerable reduction in other symptoms and overall mood disturbance.

The effectiveness of rosemary as an adjuvant therapy for individuals with serious depression was examined in a 2022 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The patients received a rosemary extract capsule or a placebo twice daily for eight weeks after being randomly allocated to either the rosemary group or the control group.

Following therapy, the rosemary group's anxiety and sadness levels dramatically dropped. The authors of the study came to the conclusion that rosemary "could improve the symptoms of anxiety and depression in people with major depression" when used as an adjuvant therapy.

9. Neroli

It has been demonstrated that neroli essential oil, which is taken from bitter orange blossoms, can lessen the symptoms of despair and anxiety. Its subtle, soothing scent supports emotional equilibrium.

According to a 2014 study that was published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, neroli aromatherapy helped menopausal women feel less anxious and live better lives. Furthermore, neroli oil may be useful as a supportive treatment for depression, according to studies.

10. Rose

Rose essential oil is well known for its uplifting and calming effects. Indeed, a 2009 study discovered that rose oil had a calming impact on people and that aromatherapy with rose oil may benefit those who are depressed.

A thorough analysis of clinical data published in the Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine revealed that numerous research have validated rose's status as one of the finest essential oils for depression.

For example, it was demonstrated that rose oil helped 60 male patients with major depressive disorder with their symptoms of depression. According to more study, rose oil can increase the release of "feel-good hormones" including norepinephrine and dopamine.

How to use

Essential oils can be used for depression in a variety of ways.

Place a diffuser by your bed and use it to diffuse oils as you sleep at night to reduce stress and enhance your quality of sleep. Additionally, you can use essential oils for depression directly to the back of your neck, behind your ears, on the bottoms of your feet, and on your stomach.

Whether you utilize self-massage techniques or get a full body massage, the correct oils may create a superb massage oil. Here's a fantastic dish for you to try!

A massage combination of lavender and chamomile for sadness

INGREDIENTS:

• 20–30 drops of pure essential lavender oil
• 20–30 drops of pure essential oil of chamomile
• A pair of grapeseed oil ounces

DIRECTIONS:

• In a glass jar, thoroughly blend all the ingredients.
• Apply it all over your body, or bring it to your massage and request that they use it two or three times a month.
• Additionally, you can massage oil into your hands and neck every day, or even into the bottoms of your feet before bed.

Risks and side effects

When applying essential oils physically or orally, use them cautiously. Before using on a regular basis, make sure to perform a skin patch check because high levels may result in responses and sensitivity.

Additionally, you should exercise caution if you currently have a cardiac issue or are on blood pressure medication. Consult your physician before starting any new treatment.

It's crucial to confirm that the essential oils you select are completely pure.

Consult your physician first if you are pregnant or nursing. Although the majority of oils are safe for kids, please do your homework and consult your doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Because they encourage relaxation and elevate mood, several essential oils may help reduce the symptoms of depression. The following essential oils have been proposed as potentially helpful by research and anecdotal evidence:

• lavender
• bergamot
• ylang ylang
• Roman chamomile
• sweet orange
• yuzu
• rosemary
• clary sage
• rose
• neroli

Which essential oils cause dopamine and serotonin to be released?

Certain essential oils, such as the following, are thought to affect neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, fostering emotions of happiness and well-being:

Lavender: May have an effect on serotonin production by lowering anxiety and tension.
Clary sage: Contains substances that could have a favorable impact on hormones that regulate mood.
Bergamot: According to research, bergamot may enhance the release of dopamine.
Rose: Could raise serotonin levels, which would promote calmness and mood enhancement.

What essential oil brings you joy?

Essential oils like bergamot, orange, lemon, and grapefruit are well-known for their ability to improve mood. By activating the brain's reward centers, these citrus oils can increase mental energy and enjoyment.

Conclusion

• Depression is the most prevalent mental illness in the United States and affects tens of millions of people worldwide.
• Depression can be treated naturally in a variety of ways, especially using essential oils.
• Bergamot, lavender, chamomile, and ylang ylang are the top four essential oils for depression.
• Sweet orange, yuzu, rosemary, clary sage, rose, and neroli oils are a few more of the best essential oils for depression.
• Essential oils for depression can be applied physically or aromatically; they are typically used in creams or diffusers.
• By using these essential oils for depression, you can help reverse depressive symptoms by reducing stress and anxiety.