Can You Use Lavender as an Antidepressant?

Can You Use Lavender as an Antidepressant?
The purple flowering plant that chases away the blues

According to the World Health Organization, 5% of adults around the world suffer from depression.

In 2020, around 15 million U.S. adults 18 and older reported at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment. Severe attacks of depression lead to the inability to perform basic household duties, professional work, and social interactions.

The impact of depression is personalized to the individual suffering the condition. It may be seen in various degrees. Depression can impair one’s judgment, alter moods, and even lead to fatal consequences.

One of the primary reasons for the formation of Lavender Creek Co, was the intent to use and promote lavender and its proven scientific ability to alleviate mood, relieve stress and promote healthy sleep.

Workplace deadlines, social conflicts, traffic, self-esteem issues, constant competition, and the goings on of everyday life have led to a slow decline in mental health for adults around the world.

Depression can sneak its way into the most normal seeming environments. Clinical depression, however, it should be noted is different from a mood swing or having a bad day.

Is there a cure to depression?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, major depression “is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States.”

Just as there are treatments and ways to curb diseases like diabetes; depression’s effects can be kept at bay with several options.

A thorough desire to escape it, positive affirmations, professional help, spiritual seeking, introspection, and contemplation are all used in the process of alleviating depression.

There are also prescription based medicines along with natural remedies that elevate the mood and allow the person suffering from depression a sigh of relief.

Lavender oil has been a proven natural method to help reduce the symptoms of depression.

Inefficiencies of Anti Depression Medication
Conventional drugs that are used to treat antidepressants are often proven ineffective. A study published in the “Current Drug Safety” medical journal, surveyed 1,418 people worldwide who were using antidepressant medication as prescribed by physicians.

The results?

61% of the respondents reported side effects such as feeling emotionally numb, feeling detached, not feeling like myself, sexual difficulties, and drownsiness.

Two of the most shocking results from this study were that 60% of people on it reported reduced positive feelings with 50% feeling suicidal!

To say that modern pharmaceutical solutions have not come close to even alleviating the symptoms of depression is an understatement.

Not all drugs are created equal, however. A 2009 clinical study put the anti depression drug Lorazepam and lavender oil against one another. The effectiveness of lavender oil within the groups was ranked at 46% whereas the Lorazepam reported efficacy of 45%. Lavender sustained its efficacy even in extreme cases during the same study. It proved that lavender was an all-natural solution to one of the most difficult-to-cure mental diseases.

Lavender Essential Oil to Alleviate Stress
Having been around since the time of the Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians, lavender is a multi-faceted herb.

Yoga instructors have been known to use a rolling ball to apply lavender oil on their students’s foreheads during Shavasana – used to induce a deep relaxed state.

A clinical study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology observed an anxiolytic effect of lavender essential oils. The study concluded that the application or inhalation of lavender oil is helpful in reducing stress.

In another study conducted in 2020, participants were exposed to either distilled water or lavender oil for 20 minutes. The study examined their blood pressure, anxiety, hunger, thirst, appetite, pulse rate, and cortisol concentration before and after exposure to the lavender oil.

The conclusion of the study was that inhaling lavender oil helps reduce anxiety – one of the main triggers that lead to a depressed state of mind.

How to Use Lavender
The studies mentioned here used lavender in different forms to help treat depression.

Because it has properties that help preserve the skin and also add fragrance to meals – lavender has vast uses.

The specific methods to use lavender as an antidepressant are most commonly its application as an essential oil and via aromatherapy.

Users who apply lavender oil topically through a gentle massage, often find a soothing effect. Gently massage using your own hands or find a rollerball and apply it behind your ears, in the nape of the neck, or wrists.

Inhaling the scent of lavender for a period of 20 minutes or so will also help. Aromatherapy of lavender is one of the best ways to help fight anxiety.

You may also infuse lavender buds into hot water to enjoy a warm cup of lavender tea.
Sprinkles of dry lavender buds onto food can ease discomfort. Placing lavender buds inside of your pillow case can help induce a deep, relaxing sleep.

If you don’t have an essential oil diffuser, you can dab lavender oil on a patch of cotton pads to experience the same effect.

Lavender Helps Fight Depression
A beautiful flower, a powerful essential oil – lavender’s intrinsic properties to help calm the mind and deepen relaxation have been proven since ancient times.

Try it for yourself to experience its tremendous benefits.