| A fantastic and mysterious relationship is continuously | | | | emotional states. |
| unfolding between plants and their surroundings. These | | | | Further, the medicinal properties of essential oils, |
| organic green machines are ceaselessly performing a | | | | through their ability to support physiological healing, can |
| glorious alchemy with water, soil, air and sunlight. The | | | | also be of great benefit to the heart and mind. A |
| nearly infinite possible combinations of plant genetics | | | | Korean study on the effect of aromatherapy on pain |
| and environmental conditions on the face of the earth | | | | in patients with arthritis found that receiving massage |
| have allowed for an almost immeasurable diversity of | | | | with lavender, marjoram, eucalyptus, rosemary, and |
| alchemal floral expression, resulting in a vast array of | | | | peppermint oils significantly decreased both the pain |
| natural botanical materials. These range from simple | | | | AND mental depression levels. |
| staple foodstuffs to gourmet fruits and vegetables, | | | | Following are some oils that have a reputation for |
| from rich exotic spices to effective medicinal herbs, | | | | up-lifting Shen, enhancing prana, nourishing ojas, and |
| and from enchanting natural perfumes to complex | | | | brightening tejas - combinations that may have marked |
| therapeutic essential oils. Mankind is reaching ever | | | | effects on symptoms of depression. These oils can be |
| further into the jungles and rainforests, knowing that | | | | used alone or in combination in a nebulizing diffuser |
| nature is the true master of creation in these fields. | | | | (producing a fine mist of oils for inhalation), or in |
| The line between food-plants and medicinal herbs is a | | | | aromatherapy massage, thereby inhaled and absorbed |
| fuzzy one. Science regularly reports newfound | | | | through the skin concurrently. |
| medicinal effects in plants once taken for granted; | | | | Bergamot (pressed from the peels of bitter oranges) |
| many fruits once thought quite plain contain some of | | | | has a strong reputation for its ability to gently uplift. In |
| the world's most potent anti-cancer agents. The same | | | | terms of Chinese medicine, this is a direct result of its |
| goes for teas - green tea is one of the most potent | | | | smoothing the flow of Liver-Qi ('Chi' or Life Force), the |
| anti-oxidants known - and spices - cinnamon may | | | | liver being thought of as the seat of the eternal soul. |
| prevent the onset of debilitating diabetes - and this list | | | | Bergamot combines the ability to both relax the nerves |
| continues to grow. This same lack of distinction exists | | | | and refresh the Spirit; it is suitable for many types of |
| between natural fragrances and therapeutic essential | | | | depressive states. |
| oils. The oil of a rose, laden with Citronellol, does triple | | | | Neroli (from the flower of bitter oranges), like |
| duty as a perfume, an effective agent against the | | | | Bergamot, regulates the Qi - and like Jasmine flower |
| herpes simplex virus, and an uplifting aromatic that can | | | | oil, comforts the mind and heart. Neroli is called for at a |
| help one open emotionally after a traumatizing | | | | core level, for the type of depression that comes from |
| experience. | | | | nervous and emotional exhaustion. Neroli uplifts the |
| The use of so-called 'alternative' therapies is on the | | | | mind and Spirit with its potential to nourish and unify. |
| rise; more individuals are turning to the wisdom of | | | | Neroli assists in retrieving and releasing repressed |
| nature for assistance for all types of ailments, both | | | | emotions, with potential to nourish and unify a |
| physical and psychological. Interestingly, the source of | | | | fragmented psyche. Neroli is specifically indicated for |
| most ills, from a naturopathic point of view, is being | | | | individuals who, in order to escape from emotional pain |
| out-of-balance with nature. Eating unnatural things, | | | | and suffering, cut themselves off from their feelings |
| following unnatural cycles,and living in unnatural | | | | and senses. |
| environments. Lack of balance with the earth, from | | | | The Chamomiles (German and Roman) are wonderful |
| which we are made and upon which we live, leads to | | | | oils to use when the depression manifests in a moody, |
| 'dis-ease' in our bodies and minds. As plants have | | | | irritable, dissatisfied outward expression associated |
| created their wondrous botanical materials in a | | | | with stagnant Liver-Qi. These flower oils are earthy, |
| process guided by the rhythms of the heavens and | | | | rich, and grounding with subtle uplifting qualities. |
| earth, we may look to 'plant wisdom' to lead our way | | | | When depression is of a Fire (overly aggressive) |
| back into balance. | | | | nature, it often involves an imbalance of joy and love - |
| A depressed emotional state is a common reasons | | | | the root emotions of the heart and mind. Joy is an |
| for using complementary and alternative therapies | | | | extension of Shen's (spiritual essence's) innate sense |
| today. A wide range of psychological, physical, and | | | | of harmony and perfection, an experience of emotional |
| energetic issues can lead to feelings of depression and | | | | and spiritual well-being. The depression that afflicts the |
| a pervasive outlook of negativity. Moreover, once in a | | | | heart and Shen involves a loss of one's natural sense |
| state of depression, patterns can arise that make relief | | | | of joy. There is often an accompanied lack of |
| all the more difficult to find. The use of essential oils for | | | | enthusiasm and interest as well as an inability to |
| uplifting the psyche and spirit is becoming more | | | | become inspired. Rose otto - steam distilled rose |
| widespread because of the oils' broad and dramatic | | | | essential oil - or Rose Absolute may have a profound |
| effects. While the oils themselves may not directly | | | | effect on this state. Rose is thought the premier heart |
| affect the underlying cause of depression, they may | | | | opening aromatic, bringing joy, uplifting and restoring |
| help individuals break free from depressive cycles - | | | | balance. |
| they may provide the impetus to 'get off the couch', so | | | | What follows are a few recipes for uplifting and |
| to speak, and begin creating long lasting change. Many | | | | releasing depressed emotional states - use your |
| natural healers believe depression to be a result of, like | | | | intuition to find the right one. Often, the single essential |
| many other ills, of being out of balance; being unable to | | | | oil or blend you find most attractive will be the one that |
| 'synch up' with the natural state of harmony that | | | | serves you best. Experiment, explore, and have fun |
| permeates the universe. For relieving this is-harmony, | | | | with these fantastic gifts of nature. These blends may |
| aromatherapy can be a very powerful means to | | | | be used in a diffuser or candle lamp, unless where a |
| infuse one's body and mind with the most | | | | carrier oil is indicated - blends with carriers are intended |
| concentrated, sublime botanicals nature has to offer. | | | | specifically for aromatherapy massage (self-massage |
| In humans, the olfactory (sense of smell) region is an | | | | is very effective, as well as a simple massage from a |
| area of about 2 and a half square centimeters, and is | | | | friend or loved one). |
| located in each of the two nasal cavities between and | | | | For releasing and opening the heart: 1 part Rose 3 |
| below the eyes. Containing approximately fifty million | | | | parts Sandalwood 1 part Sweet Orange or Bergamot |
| primary sensory receptor cells, this region is highly | | | | 3 parts Jasmine 1 part Ylang Ylang 1 part Sandalwood |
| intricate, being 10,000 times more perceptive than the | | | | Brightening, refreshing and uplifting: 3 parts Bergamot 1 |
| sense of taste. When compared to sight, we find that | | | | part Ylang Ylang 1 part Grapefruit 2 parts Bergamot 2 |
| olfaction is more complex - it is able to distinguish a | | | | parts Clary Sage 1 part Frankincense 3 parts |
| nearly infinite number of element compounds at very | | | | Bergamot or Sweet Orange 2 parts Clary Sage 2 |
| low concentrations. In order to perceive the visible | | | | parts Frankincense 1 part Lemon 1 part either Jasmine |
| spectrum, humans use only three types of | | | | or Neroli |
| photoreceptors; in contrast, the sense of smell relies on | | | | Nourishing: 1 part (Roman) Chamomile 1 part Vanilla 10 |
| several hundred distinct classes of receptors. | | | | parts Carrier oil of choice |
| Modern research has shown natural plant oils stimulate | | | | Floral and earthy (uplifting and softening to Spirit): 1 part |
| multiple regions in the brain, including those controlling | | | | Neroli 1 part Vanilla 1 part Orange 1 part Sandalwood 1 |
| endocrine, immune, and limbic (emotional center) | | | | part Chamomile 1 part Bergamot 1 part Helichrysum |
| functions. Essential oils have a direct and profound | | | | Single oils can also be used, and should be investigated |
| effect on the deepest levels of the body, emotions, | | | | so one can learn the different energies of each plant. |
| and psyche. Through inhalation, essential oils have a | | | | For depression associated with negativity: Bergamot, |
| strong and immediate influence. Passing through the | | | | Chamomile, Helichrysum, Neroli, or Sweet Orange. For |
| capillary beds of the sinuses and activating the | | | | a profound lack of joy, try Rose, Jasmine, Patchouli, or |
| olfactory nerves, volatile plant oils enter the brain, | | | | Ylang Ylang. For overthinking and worry, try |
| producing direct and powerful systemic effects - the | | | | Frankincense, Lemon, Marjoram, Myrrh or Vetiver. For |
| most immediate being on the emotions. Our emotions | | | | pessimism, regret and remorse, try Clary Sage, |
| and our sense of smell have very strong ties - | | | | Cypress, Hyssop, or Pine needle. For doubt of one's |
| perhaps more than with any other of the other four | | | | capacity to cope with overwhelming situations, try |
| senses. | | | | Juniper Berry. |
| In both Naturopathy and Ayurvedic Medicine (The | | | | For cases of moderate to severe depression, |
| Science of Life), essential oils are considered to | | | | professional help should always be sought. It is |
| enhance the flow of prana (essential life force), | | | | important to consider if you one requires professional |
| enhance and nourish ojas (sustaining energy and | | | | help if the depression is overwhelming - while |
| immunological essence), and brighten tejas (clarity and | | | | aromatherapy can provide support in a significant |
| mental luminosity). In Traditional Chinese Medicine, | | | | number of situations, it may not be for everyone. |
| essential oils in general are medicines for the Shen, the | | | | Essential oils can safely be used in conjunction with |
| spiritual essence that resides in the heart and guides | | | | other treatments - consult your care giver to ensure |
| and governs consciousness. Used consciously, | | | | there are no conflicts if medications have been |
| essential oils powerfully enhance positive mental and | | | | prescribed. |