Essential Oils for Emotional Well-being: How Rose Oil Supports Mental Health

Rose oil is derived from the fragrant and delicate petals of the rose flowers. Common varieties used for this essential oil are Rosa Damascena and Rose Centifolia, but either variety has been in use for centuries for not only its delightful fragrance but also potential therapeutic benefits. Whether you are having stress issues or struggling with anxiety or depression, rose oil could provide a natural remedy that supports your emotional well-being and boosts your mental health. So, in this article, we’ll explore how rose oil can support your mental health.

Rose Oil Throughout History:

Rose oil has roots dating back throughout history and it was used by ancient civilizations around the world. Rose oil was first created in Persia or modern-day Iran. It was used in both spiritual practices and medicine to uplift the spirit and soothe the mind.

Cleopatra was also a famous user of rose oil. This essential oil was an integral part of her beauty and wellness rituals. Cleopatra was a queen and the scent of roses around her enhanced her sensuality, but some historians believe she also used the oil for emotional healing. Rose oil was also documented in Greco-Roman practices, with Hippocrates reporting the use of rose oil for a variety of ailments including imbalances within the nervous system.

Across the world, rose oil was also an important part of traditional Chinese medicine. Healers use the oil to promote harmony, relieve stress and balance the patient’s mood.

In recent years, rose oil has been more appreciated for its delightful scent, but history shows that rose oil has great potential to provide mental health and wellness benefits.

The Science Behind the Mental Health Benefits of Rose Oil

Using rose oil is not simply anecdotal as there is some science behind its use, particularly for boosting mental health. Research suggests that the effects are effective primarily through the olfactory system, limbic system and the emotional control centre of the brain.

The Effects of Aromatherapy on the Limbic System:

When it is inhaled, the molecules of rose oil will stimulate the olfactory receptors we have inside our noses. These receptors send signals to our limbic system, specifically, the hippocampus and amygdala, which are the areas responsible for memory, behaviour and emotions. The interaction triggers neurotransmitters to be released. The release of dopamine, endorphins and serotonin can contribute to emotional stability and mood regulation.

How the Autonomic Nervous System is Influenced:

Rose oil has calming effects on our autonomic nervous systems as it reduces the activity in our sympathetic nervous systems and enhances parasympathetic nervous system activity.  These are otherwise known as our fight or flight responses and rest and digest responses respectively. Essentially, you can feel less under pressure to address a threat, while you are encouraged to rest and relax. The resulting shift promotes a lower heart rate and relaxation. It also decreases cortisol levels, which is the primary stress hormone in the human body.

Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects:

Depression and chronic stress are often linked with increased inflammation and oxidative stress. This can increase cell damage, leaving us vulnerable to illness. Rose oil has several potent antioxidants, specifically geraniol and citronellol, which can reduce inflammation and tackle oxidative stress within the brain, contributing to improvements in mental health.

The Mental Health Benefits of Rose Oil

Now you can appreciate how rose oil affects the human body, let’s look at some of the mental health benefits of using this essential oil.

Anxiety and Stress Reduction:

Several scientific studies support the anxiety-reducing or anxiolytic effects of rose oil. For example, a study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice in 2016 documented that patients who inhaled rose oil had significant reductions in their anxiety levels compared to participants in the control group.

Rose oil stimulates the body to release endorphins and serotonin, which can promote a sense of calm. To enjoy these effects, you could add rose oil to your diffuser, enjoy a soothing massage or even inhale directly from a handkerchief or tissue if you’re experiencing a stressful situation.

Alleviating the Symptoms of Depression:

Depression is typically associated with an issue with the regulation of neurotransmitters within the brain. A study published in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment documented that inhaling rose oil increased parasympathetic activity to reduce depressive symptoms and improve mood in the participant group.

Clinical trials have also reported that postpartum women who used rose oil aromatherapy had significant improvements in their mood and reduced symptoms of depression.

One of the best ways to enjoy rose oil in this way is to add a few drops of rose oil into a warm bath and take a relaxing soak. You can also apply rose oil diluted with a carrier oil on your pulse points if you start to feel low.

Enhancing Emotional Resilience:

Rose oil has the potential to help you cope with emotional challenges by promoting a sense of emotional inner strength. Traditional aromatherapy practices involved rose oil stimulating the heart chakra, which is believed to support compassion, self-love and emotional openness. Studies have also shown that research participants who were exposed to rose oil exhibited lower physiological markers of stress and reported feeling more emotionally balanced.

Rose oil has a soothing scent that modulates activity within the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for regulating our emotions. It can offer calming effects to foster a sense of being well-grounded.

If you struggle with feeling emotionally overwhelmed, practice deep breathing techniques using rose oil. You could also use rose oil during mindfulness practices or meditation sessions to enhance your emotional clarity.

Enhancing Sleep Quality and Reducing Insomnia:

Anxiety, depression and stress all have an impact on restful sleep. These sleep disturbances can be alleviated with rose oil. In a Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine study published in 2014, the research team found participants who inhaled rose oil before bed experienced more restful and longer sleep. Rose oil can have a mild sedative effect, which promotes relaxation.

Try diffusing rose oil in your bedroom approximately 30 minutes before you plan on sleeping. You can also apply diluted rose oil to your temples to aid relaxation.

Supporting Trauma Recovery and Emotional Healing:

Rose oil has a long association with emotional healing, particularly in the context of trauma and grief. Rose oil is often used by aromatherapists to help clients to process unresolved emotions. Preliminary research suggests that the oil could reduce PTSD symptoms as it interacts with the amygdala, which helps to desensitise traumatic memories to promote a feeling of comfort and safety.

Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem:

The aroma of roses is associated with feelings of love and studies suggest it can promote comfort and self-acceptance. This could be particularly important for those who are having self-esteem or body image issues.

How to Safely Use Rose Oil:

While rose oil has the potential to offer several mental health benefits, it is incredibly potent, so it needs to be used with care. Fortunately, some guidelines can help you have a safe and effective user experience.

Use a Carrier Oil:

Rose oil should be diluted before you apply it to the skin. You can use a carrier oil such as almond, coconut or jojoba oil, with a ratio of two or three drops per teaspoon of carrier oil.

Perform a Patch Test:

If you want to use rose oil topically, it is a good idea to perform a patch test first, so you can check for any allergic reactions. Apply a drop or two of the diluted rose oil onto the inside of your arm or elbow. Wait 24 hours and see if there is any redness, itchiness or irritation to the skin. If you see a reaction, you may need to further dilute the rose oil and re-perform a patch test or try another essential oil.

Avoid Inhalation If You Have a Respiratory Condition:

Generally, rose oil can be safely inhaled directly or via a diffuser, but if you have an existing respiratory condition, you should speak to your healthcare professional.

Don’t Ingest Rose Oil: Unless you’re under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional, you should not ingest rose oil or any essential oil.

Seek Guidance if You Could Be Pregnant:

If you’re pregnant or suspect you could be pregnant, you should seek medical advice before you use rose oil.

Ways to Use Rose Oil

Rose oil can be used on its own or blended with other oils to enhance the potential mental health benefits. Some good oils to combine with rose oil include:

• Bergamot: Bergamot can help to reduce anxiety and uplift the mood
• Lavender: Lavender can provide sleep support and enhance relaxation
• Ylang-Ylang: This essential oil can promote feelings of joy and help reduce stress
• Sandalwood: Sandalwood is said to be grounding and support emotional balance.

When you have created a synergetic blend or found a rose oil product that you like, you can use it in several ways. These include:

Aromatherapy Diffusion:

You can add five to seven drops of the oil to your diffuser and it will allow the aroma to fill the room.

Topical Application:

As we discussed above, you will need to dilute your essential oil with a carrier oil, so it has a concentration of less than 3%. In simple terms, this is two or three drops of essential oil for every teaspoon of carrier oil. You can then apply it to the temples, wrists, or behind your ears. Some people also find using oil in this way as part of massage therapy can be beneficial. A relaxing foot or back massage using the oil can help you feel calmer and more emotionally balanced.

Soaking:

Draw a warm bath with some Epsom salts and add six to eight drops of your essential oil to the bath water. You can then enjoy a soothing and calming soak.

Direct Inhalation:

If you have concerns about stressful situations where none of the above methods would be particularly useful, you can use direct inhalation. Add a drop or two of the essential oil onto a cotton ball or tissue and inhale deeply.

Meditation Practices:

You can use rose oil during meditation or mindfulness practices to deepen your relaxation and enhance your emotional awareness. This could involve direct inhalation or running a diffuser during your sessions.

Rose oil provides more than simply a nice fragrance, it offers the potential to boost your mental health. With its ability to alleviate the symptoms of depression, reduce stress, support emotional balance and improve your sleep, rose oil could be a valuable addition to your natural wellness routine.

Of course, as with any natural remedy, it is important to use rose oil safely and check to ensure that you don’t have any allergic reactions, so you can unlock the full potential of this ancient botanical treasure.