How Citrus Scents Lift Moods
Using Aromatherapy at Home to Ease Mild Depression
Apr 8, 2008 Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen
Dorene Petersen is a New Zealand trained naturopath who studied aromatherapy during her training. She was instrumental in establishing the Aromatherapy Registration Council, and is the Founder and President of the Australasian College of Health Sciences in Portland, Oregon. Ms Petersen also authored the Cert Aroma 201 course at this college, which specializes in online holistic health education.
Therapeutic Essential Oils and Depression
“Research has substantiated the historical use of aromatherapy for depression,” says Ms Petersen. “While we can generalize about the action of essential oils on the nervous system, it is important to remember that each essential oil has unique constituents and as such may have a unique physiological and psychological action.”
A lemon essential oil or citrus scent may lift mild depression for one person, but not another. Aromatherapy affects people differently.
Ms Petersen says, “How aromatherapy affects depression will also depend on the cause of the depression. Emotional and physiological factors can both play a part. Aromatherapy is unique in that is can affect both psychological and physiological processes.”
How Citrus Scents Lift Moods
Ms Petersen cites research that has been done on specific essential oils, such as lemon (Citrus limonum). Results published in the Behavioural Brain Research journal suggest that lemon oil possesses anti-anxiety, antidepressant-like effects by suppressing dopamine activity.
"Keep in mind that there have been no large scale clinical studies conducted on humans. Readers should continue to see their licensed medical doctor for appropriate treatments, particularly for long term or major depression. However, for situational or seasonal depressive states, aromatherapy clearly has a role to play," says Ms Petersen. "We don't need a study to tell us that a blend of citrus can bring a smile on a dreary winter's day. More research will certainly explain the mechanisms of action and appropriate methods of use for best and safest results."
Using Aromatherapy at Home
Ms Petersen offers tips on using aromatherapy at home – whether it’s citrus for depression or rosewood for the common cold. Any therapeutic essential oil can be used in these ways.
- Use essential oils whenever you would use a commercial cleanser or air freshener.
- Use 2-3-drops on the filter pad of your vacuum cleaner to leave a refreshing aroma around your home as you clean.
- Add 2-3-drops to the edge of the toilet paper roll before placing it on the toilet roll holder.
- Place a few drops on cotton balls and distribute them in drawers, wardrobes, closets, and cupboards. A good night’s rest is assured if scented cotton balls are placed into pillowcases. This will also help keep moths and insects out of linen.
- Use as a room freshener. Pour directly on cotton balls and leave in a room. This is particularly good to freshen a room that is stale with cigarette smoke or pet odors.
- Sprinkle a few drops on potpourri to revive the original fragrance.
- Sprinkle a few drops in and around drains, into the trash bin, compost bucket, toilet bowl, and in the dishwasher. This is an excellent way to use essential oils that have oxidized, particularly citrus oils.
- Add a few drops to the washing machine or dryer when doing laundry. Add the oil to a wet cloth and place it into the washer or dryer along with the laundry. You can also add the essential oil directly onto a sock or towel, but take care that you do not apply to delicate fabrics or whites, which could be discolored. Take care not to apply essential oils directly to the machine surfaces, as certain oils may discolor surfaces.
For more information on Dorene Petersen or holistic health education, visit the Australasian College of Health Sciences.
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