If your teen is getting treatment in a residential program like Polaris Teen Center, you may be wondering what sorts of other therapies can be used to complement the mental health treatment they’re already receiving. After all, while cognitive-behavioral therapies and psychoeducational group therapy can be helpful for your teen, they are not able to always be in therapy. At the same time, many parents are concerned about overmedicating their children, especially when it comes to mental disorders.
If your teen has made good progress in therapy and only needs a form of treatment on a day-by-day basis, essential oils are a good way to complement the coping skills they’ve gained in residency. As one study on aromatherapy illustrated, “the inhaled air containing essential oils can not only reach the circulation system via the blood capillary network in the nose and the bronchi in the lungs but also stimulate brain areas directly.”
The following essential oils have been shown to help with certain symptoms of mental health disorders and maybe a good fit for your teen as they transition to aftercare.
Lavender
Lavender has long been known to have medicinal and therapeutic properties, and the lavender essential oil is one of the easiest ways to take advantage of its many uses. Particularly for those facing anxiety and depression, lavender has been shown to reduce stress and promote positive thinking. Lavender has also been linked in studies with promoting better sleep. Since restlessness is often a side-effect of depression, this puts even more value in using lavender to treat depressive symptoms.
Rose
While rose oil is typically associated with beauty products thanks to its positive effects on the skin, it is equally useful when it comes to addressing mental health problems. Just like lavender, rose oil (or rose otto oil) can help reduce anxiety and depression. As aromatherapy, rose oil helps decrease blood pressure and breathing rate, offering many of the same benefits of lavender through a different oil. This is one of the reasons that many aromatherapies aimed at decreasing stress often combine rose and lavender oils. If decreased sex drive is also a side effect of your depression, rose oil may also help increase libido, too.
Sage
Sage is generally thought of as a food or ingredient when cooking; however, this herb also has some useful medicinal properties. Sage is primarily used for digestive issues, but can also play a role in promoting memory and decreasing feelings of depression. If you feel sluggish because of your depression, the alertness provided by sage can be very beneficial. Sage also has a variety of other health benefits, making it an ideal way to find natural relief for your symptoms. Whether inhaled or orally ingested, your body can take advantage of sage in many different ways.
Where to source your essential oils from
Getting your essential oils from the right supplier is just as important as picking the right oil. If you want to get some of the best deals by avoiding a middleman who just increases the price of your essential oils, one good online option is Visagenics. Based in Europe, Visagenics offers pure essential oils without an intermediary. Sourced from Bulgaria’s Rose Valley, all of their herbs and flowers are certified organic and fresh. This results in a superior product, which can lead to the superior treatment of any of the above symptoms or conditions.
Many teens and families are seeking a natural way to combat mental health, and essential oils are a great option. Especially when coupled with strategies learned through cognitive behavioral therapy at residence programs, essential oils can be one way to decrease feelings of sadness, anxiety, and stress in everyday life. Buying high-quality natural products is pivotal to the effectiveness of essential oils, so make sure to purchase from a reputable seller like Visagneics if you truly want to get the most out of your aromatherapy treatment.
