A review of the effects of Aromatherapy for patients with depressive symptoms revealed patients symptoms were lessened and even showed signs of improvement after their very first session.  Studies were reviewed from 2000 to 2008. These studies were conducted using essential oils during therapeutic massage for patients with depressive symptoms.

The review was conducted among five electronic databases to identify all peer-reviewed journal papers that tested the effect of aromatherapy on depressive patients.  Studies that include peer-review offer us more concrete evidence into any findings, these are reviews conducted by other scientist in this field of research.  Once the peer review is completed each researcher can then support or deny the claims of the study.

This peer-reviewed study has the support of researchers spanning over a period of eight years.  The results are based on six studies examining the effects of aromatherapy on not only patients with depression but also on patients with cancer who were exhibiting depressive symptoms.

Our sense of smell plays a vital role in our daily lives.  Without our sense of smell we would not taste food or have this sense as a warning system for everything from fire to harsh chemicals.

A scent can trigger a long forgotten memory or convey an invigorating message. It has the power to transform and renew.  We can test this theory on our own by thinking of some of the most common scents.  The scent that is listed as the strongest for childhood memories is that of fresh cut grass.

Other aromas that convey strong memories are coconut, cinnamon, citrus, pine and peppermint. The messages that some of these scents trigger in us are quite fascinating.  The scent of coconut not only brings back memories of the beach but in some research it has conveyed the message of hope.  The aroma of cinnamon is the most interesting of the group.  Cinnamon has been used for centuries in holistic medicine and now research has shown that it can be used for ailments like depression, anxiety, low libido and even male erectile dysfunction.  Our brain uses these scents to activate a response that is not yet completely understood but the research has exposed the benefits.

The conclusion of this study “recommends that aromatherapy could continue to be used  as a complimentary and alternative therapy for patients with depression and secondary depressive symptoms arising from various types of chronic medical conditions”.  One more tool for our field of work that will benefit clients and practitioners alike.

Research:

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.

PMID: 19216657 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

“Choose each day to be blissful and complete, a whole person well cared for by you”

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