Lavender and Bergamot Oils Combined with Massage Treat Depression and Anxiety

Aromatherapy massage is the use of essential oils (extracted from herbs, flowers, resin, woods and roots) for massaging certain areas of the body to the person’s specific needs. The aromatherapy massage therapist can select oils that are relaxing, energizing, stress-reducing, and balancing, etc.  The selected aromatherapy massage oils that will be used for the massage session are blended with a carrier/base massage oil (almond oil, olive oil, sesame oil, etc.) to create a unique mix for each client’s individual needs. Some of the methods of massage would be: Swedish massage, neuromuscular massage, deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, acupressure massage, reflexology, and Thai massage.

One of the most common essential oils used in aromatherapy massage is lavender. The use of lavender has been recorded for more than 2,500 years. Egyptians, Phoenicians and the people of Arabia used lavender as a perfume — and also for mummification, by wrapping the dead in lavender-dipped shrouds. Lavender oil is extracted primarily from the flowers of the plant through steam distillation.

Bergamot is native to Southeast Asia and the tree is the result of cross-breeding the lemon tree and the orange tree, which accounts for its pear-like shape and yellow color. It is a cold-pressed essential oil produced by cells inside the rind of the fruit. Bergamot has been used for medicinal and perfumery for centuries. It is responsible for giving Earl Grey Tea its unique flavor.

Depression is different from normal sadness in that it interferes with your day-to-day life by not being able to let you work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun. The feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are intense and unrelenting, with little, if any, relief.

Next we will briefly discuss anxiety. Everyone experiences anxiety. Speaking in front of a group makes most of us anxious, but that motivates us to prepare and do well. Driving in heavy traffic is a common source of anxiety, but it keeps us alert and cautious to better avoid accidents. However, when feelings of intense fear and distress are overwhelming and prevent us from doing everyday things, an anxiety disorder may be the cause. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States.

Here we are ready to find out about this study with positive results of a lavender and bergamot essential oil massage blend.

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the blended essential oil on autonomic parameters and on emotional responses in humans. Blended essential oil consisting of lavender and bergamot oils was applied topically to the skin of the abdomen of each subject participating in the intervention group. Compared with the placebo group, the blended essential oil group experienced significant decreases of pulse rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. At the emotional level, subjects in the blended essential oil group rated themselves as “more calm” and “more relaxed” than subjects in the control group.

The researchers concluded their investigation demonstrated the relaxing effect of a mixture of lavender and bergamot oils. This particular blend provided evidence for its use in medicine for treating depression or anxiety in humans.

Study Link

Depression Link

Anxiety Link