The Potent Power of Plant Organics for Enchance Mood Stabilization and Mental Well-being.
- dexcoach77
- Oct 6, 2024
- 4 min read

Great coaching aims at equipping clients with new experiences, knowledge, and genuine support in their personal and professional evolution. This post shares five (5) wholesome insights verified by the interplay of neurosciences and research about the potent power of plant essences. This is recommended to anyone wishing to incorporate this intervention into their health and wellness lifestyle. The gist of sharing the knowledge emphasizes mood stabilization, including alternatives to psychopathologies.
Caveat; It's important to check with a physician or professional in the field before embarking on alternative healing methods
Essential oils have been used for centuries across various cultures for their therapeutic benefits, particularly for promoting physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Today, the rise of aromatherapy has brought essential oils back into the spotlight, with a growing body of research supporting their benefits. We will also emphasize how certain essential oils influence neurotransmitters, in treating mood de-stabilization and poor mental performance.
Mood Stabilization and Stress Reduction
One of the most well-documented benefits of essential oils is their ability to stabilize mood and reduce stress. Essential oils such as lavender, bergamot, and chamomile have been shown to affect neurotransmitters in the brain. GABA helps reduce neuronal excitability and promotes relaxation and calmness.
Inhaling lavender essential oil, for example, has been shown to increase GABA levels in the brain, reducing symptoms of anxiety, restlessness, and stress. A 2013 study published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that lavender oil not only reduced anxiety but also enhanced GABAergic neurotransmissional, offering a natural approach to managing stress and promoting relaxation.
Enhanced Cognitive Function and Mental Clarity
Certain essential oils can improve mental clarity, focus, and cognitive function by modulating neurotransmitters involved in attention and memory. Peppermint and rosemary are two popular oils known for their nootropic (cognitive-enhancing) properties. Research in Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology (2012) showed that inhaling rosemary oil significantly improved memory recall and cognitive performance in individuals, suggesting that it influences the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which plays a key role in learning and memory. Similarly, peppermint oil has been shown to increase alertness and boost mental clarity, possibly by modulating the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine-neurotransmitters responsible for focus motivation, and cognitive processing.
Reduction of Inflammation and Pain Relief
Beyond mental performance, certain essential oils exhibit anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which can also support mental well-being by reducing discomfort and pain-related stress. Eucalyptus, ginger, and frankincense oils contain compounds like 1,8-cineole, which have been shown to modulate pain pathways and reduce inflammatory responses through the endocannabinoid systems and by influencing serotonin pathways.
A 2015 study published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation highlighted the anti-inflammatory effects of frankincense oil, showing its ability to reduce cytokine production in the brain, leading to less neuroinflammation, which is often linked to mood disorders such as depression.
4 Improved Sleep and Relaxation
Sleep is essential for mental performance, and disruptions in sleep patterns can lead to irritability, cognitive decline, and even mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Essential oils such as lavender, cedarwood, and ylang-ylang have been shown to promote better sleep by influencing neurotransmitters like serotonin and melatonin, both of which regulate sleep cycles. Lavender, in particular, has been extensively studied for its sleep-inducing effects.
Research published in the Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine in 2014 found that lavender oil improved sleep quality in patients with insomnia by increasing parasympathetic nervous system activity, which helps to relax the body and mind for a more restful sleep. By enhancing serotonin production, lavender can also help stabilize mood, making it a dual-purpose oil for relaxation and mood stabilization.
Antidepressant Effects and Emotional Balance
Several essential oils possess natural antidepressant properties by interacting with neurotransmitters associated with mood regulation, including dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Bergamot, rosemary, and clary sage have been shown to modulate these neurotransmitters, which play key roles in mood balance and emotional regulation.
Bergamot oil, in particular, has been studied for its effects on the central nervous system. A study in Frontiers in Pharmacology (2017) demonstrated that inhalation of bergamot essential oil led to significant improvements in mood and reduced stress levels, primarily by increasing dopaminergic and serotonergic activity. This can be especially beneficial for individuals dealing with mood disorders like depression. as it provides a natural way to boost positive emotions and reduce feelings of sadness or anxiety.
Conclusion
The therapeutic effects of essential oils on the brain and body go beyond mere anecdotal evidence. Neuroscientific research has shown that essential oils can modulate neurotransmitter activity and influence the central nervous system, leading to improved mood, mental clarity, pain relief, sleep quality, and emotional balance. While more research is needed to fully understand their mechanisms, the current findings are promising showing that essential oils can offer a natural and holistic approach to enhancing mental health and well-being.
References:
Perry, N,& Perry, E. (2006). Aromatherapy in the Management of Psychiatric Disorders: Clinical and Neuropharmacological Perspectives. CNS dRUGS, 20 (4), 257-280.
Lis-Balchin, M. (1997). Essential oils and "aromatherapy": Their modern role in healing. Journal of the Royal Society of Health, 117 (5), 325-329.
Koulivand. P.H., Khaleghi, Ghadiri, M., & Gorji, A. (2013). Lavender and the Nervous System. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013.
Moss, M., Cook, J., Wesnes, K.,& Duckett, P. (2003). Aromas of rosemary and lavender oils
Goes,T.,Antunes,F.D.,Alves, P.B., & Teixeira-Silva,F (2012). Effect of sweet orange on experimental anxiety in humans. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 18 (8) 798-804.
McCaffrey,R.,Thomas,D,J,Kinzelman,A.O (2009). The effects of lavender and rosemary essential oils on test-taking anxiety among graduate nursing students. Holistic Nursing Practice,23(2),88-93.
Bradley, B.F., Brown, S.L., Chu, S.,&Lea, R.w (2009). Effects of orally administered lavender essential oil on response to anxiety-provoking film clips:A randomized, double-blind,placebo-controlled crossover trial. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental,24(4) 319-330.
Tai,J.,Cheung,S.,Wu,M.,Hasman,D.(2012).Antiproliferation effect of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) on human ovarian cancer cells in vitro. Phytomedicine, 19 (5),436-443
Lohr,M.A.,& Pires,D.E. (2020). Essential oils and mental health: A review of research studies on anxiety and depression. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 23 (1),46-56
Bagetta,G.,Morrone,L.A.,Rombola,L.,Amantea,d.,Russo.R.,Berliocchi,L,&Corasaniti.M.T. (2010). Neuropharmacology of the essential oil of bergamot. Fitoterapial,816(16)453-461
Comments