Fighting stress can be a difficult thing to do, luckily, Lavender, an essential oil, is one of the best possible ways to fight stress as Lavender is all natural and completely safe to use. Stress, a strain on the mental and emotional health, is known to affect individuals in demanding situations that could occur in the workplace or in their personal life. I make the case that tackling stress should be done with essential oils, specifically oils like Lavender, simply because they are both effective and safe to use because of their natural tendencies, plus they are healthy alternatives to modern day medicines.
Essential oils, such as Lavender, are a very safe alternative to modern day medicines when treating stress as they stem from natural resources while modern day medicines are chemically compounded. Herbal medicines are considered to be derived from natural sources such as plants that are used to maintain health in more natural and beneficial ways. Essential oils are a type of herbal medicine in which essential oils are distilled from a plant and isolated using various methods like steam distillation and cold pressing. They are made up of a wide variety of chemical constituents leading each oil to have a matchless smell and beneficial properties pertaining to stress. “When essential oils are inhaled, aromatic molecules enter the brain's limbic system through the lining of the nasal cavity. Aromatic molecules could affect the hypothalamus, autonomic nervous system, and the endocrine system, and result in promoting peripheral blood circulation, and regulating respiration, heart rate and blood pressure which leads to stress relief,” (Chen). Fortunately, fighting stress with Lavender essential oil has been one of the leading herbal remedies with the highest efficiency rate in eliminating stress. A conflicting viewpoint is shown within the subject of modern medicine to treat stress. Modern medicine is by definition the use of prescribed drugs to treat the signs and symptoms of certain conditions. When using modern medicines, they often treat and manage the symptoms, but do not get rid of them long-term meaning that if one were to remove themselves from the prescription medicines the symptoms would still be there. When using prescription medicines there is the possibility of addiction because the medicines affect the neurological portions of the brain and cause dependency. Benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and sedatives are the main prescribed medicines used to treat stress. “There is no one specific family of medicines that are used to decrease stress. Instead, physicians may prescribe a range of medications to address specific stress-related symptoms,” (Mills). These prescriptions are the main ones known to treat adults with high levels of stress as they are rated with the highest amount of effectiveness. Prescription drugs seem to be effective for a period of time until they slowly stop having the same working percentage that they used to have. There are high levels of debate between the medicines used to treat stress and the essential oil used, some believe one method works better than the other inefficiency.
The essential oil of Lavender is one of the main herbal ways to treat symptoms of stress, there are also many different prescription medicines that can be used to treat stress but their levels of success vary. According to Chen, over 27% of modern medicines have not been tested by study groups to show their benefits and often times are given out before exact symptoms are known which is not beneficial to the patient in any way. When using prescription medications, it has been found that “existing treatments work in only about half of patients, can have unpleasant side effects and have come under fire for possible links to suicidal thoughts,” (Johnson). These are some of the high risks when taking a drug for stress relief because often times they double in treating mental illnesses like depression. Also, sometimes they only work for a small amount of time before the body starts to build up immunity to the drug. At this point, a patient must return to the doctor and either be switched from the medicine or up the dosage of their current prescription which is highly inconvenient to the user who would just like some quick stress relief. In addition, it must be acknowledged that different medicines work for different age groups. For instance, while treating the elderly for symptoms of stress can increase “risk of falls” and “cognitive impairment” as these medicines have larger amounts of sedatives within their chemical make up (Moore). In order to avoid the large number of side effects that stem from prescription medications some choose to use the alternative treatment of essential oils. Large studies done by using essential oils have found some folks show up to a 41% decrease in levels of stress after using lavender (Chen). Lavender encompasses the use of antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory combinations to interact with the glandular, hormonal, emotional, and circulatory this intern creates a calming effect upon the body. This oil has many research studies that have been done on it in the home, workplace, and in students. Lavender oil is one of the top treatments for stress since one cannot become addicted to it and it has been shown that long-term use never lowers the overall effectiveness of the product. Essential oils seem to be a much safer route for treating stress than modern medicines because their overall effectiveness is about the same as modern medicine, they are non-addictive, and they are easier you to use as you simply place the oil on the neck and wrists at any point during one's day.
Lavender is known as a calming and relaxing herb and has frequently been used as a natural stress reliever that benefits not only stress but ones overall health. Lavender has been used since the ancient times in order to provide a calming environment. The ancient Greeks used the lavender oil for their restorative properties to the body, mind, and spirit. In the historical context, the oil was known to be highly effective in the past and currently in the modern world. From many studies, it has been proven that essential oils are very powerful while being completely safe to use. By purchasing an essential oil that is 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oil, one dose of an essential oil can effect over 100 trillion cells. There are multiple ways to use lavender oil in order to receive the highest amount of efficiency in one's body. Aromatherapy, topical use, and ingestion are the top three ways to use essential oils. Aromatherapy is when the oils are diffused into the air. This can affect many people as it becomes airborne. Topical use accesses the bloodstream directly and has an almost immediate effect and provides many internal benefits. It seems as though the ingestion of lavender may be one of the more effective ways to use it. Research has shown ingestion of lavender is up to ten times more effective compared to topical and aromatherapy use. Essential oils like lavender are very well known in the workplace and within schools, mainly high school and college levels. Fang found that the nursing graduate students, who breathed through the lavender essential oil inhaler before and during a test, could have their test-related stress reduced and this was proved by their decrease in stress levels through the self-report of the perceived stress and pulse rates. Much like in school testing environments, the oil of lavender was very effective in the workplace. A study was done in a hospital in a heavily trafficked area by nurses, lavender was pinned to the shirts of nurses for a continually waft throughout the course of the day. In the end, there was over a 45% decrease found in stress in the environment. “Post intervention, 84% of nursing staff strongly agreed and 10% agreed that diffusing essential oils contributed to a positive work environment,” (Johnson, K). Fortunately, the lavender oil is very easy to get ones hands on and it is very effective when used properly and can provide long-term benefits for the user and others around them.
Modern medicines, such as prescription drugs, are known to be effective ways to treat stress for limited amounts of time. Prescription drugs came to use in the 1800’s and it wasn’t until late in the 1900’s they were proven to be beneficial in treating mental health. There are a few main categories in which the drugs for treating stress fall under. Again, Benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and sedatives are the main prescribed medicines used to treat stress. These have been found to have the most effect on the neurological spectrum which makes them fairly appealing to be prescribed for stress relief. Benzodiazepines, one of the more commonly prescribed types of medication for stress, typically begins working to relieve stress within 30 minutes to an hour. Barbiturates depress brain activity causing tranquilizing and sedative effects, these are not typically used on an everyday basis as they can develop into a high dependency rate by the user. However, when they are used they are found to be highly effective. Evidently, the use of prescription drugs can come with many side effects which may act as a turn away for treatment options. The drugs can cause things such as depression, suicidal thoughts, and actions and are not recommended to be used on younger adults which limits treatment options. Sedative medications depress the activity of the central nervous system which basically means it is comprising the brain and spinal cord causing a sense of relaxation which in turn reduces stress and tension. When the medicine begins to be less effective it will be prescribed in higher doses, these medications can cause slurred speech, an impaired ability to walk around, poor judgment, and slowed reflexes (Johnson, A). It is also known that these medications can cause an overdose if used improperly. For effectiveness, it has been noted that many folks would rather head to the doctor to be prescribed a prescription to treat their stress as the medicines doctors prescribe have a notably quick effect upon the body. The users find it to be more convenient to pop a pill and have immediate relief. As long as the user understands the that the drug cannot be used on an everyday basis and only use the pill when they are under overwhelming amounts of stress it seems like prescription drugs may be a great way to treat stress.
In brief, while prescription drugs can provide a sort of relief by using high dosages of chemical compounds there is a safer option. Essential oils are healthy and nonhabit forming; therefore, it is a highly recommended option for treating stress. Lavender can and will provide a calming sense of stress relief throughout the body in the home, workplace, and even in students who are in the upper divisions of the school. While it seems an essential oil cannot affect the body as much as a prescription, studies have proven the essential oil of lavender is just as effective and can be used for years on an everyday basis. Opinions are what it all comes down to when choosing which option is best for the person who needs treatment. Some prefer prescription medicines because they are skeptics, but overall lavender oil is a safer and healthier alternative. If those who retain high levels of stress would make it a point to try the herbal remedy of essential oils instead of a prescription drug, according to research, they will be pleasantly surprised as to the effect of the product. Not only will they notice stress relief but they will smell of a sweet natural floral aroma.
Works Cited
Chen, M., Fang, S., & Fang, L. (2015). The effects of aromatherapy in relieving symptoms related to job stress among nurses. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 21(1), 87-93. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ijn.12229
Conti, Elizabeth C., et al. "Sedative-Hypnotic use among Older Adults Participating in Anxiety Research." The International Journal of Aging & Human Development, vol. 85, no. 1, 2017, pp. 3-17, Sociological Abstracts, http://argo.library.okstate.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1898547604?accountid=4117, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0091415016685330.
Fang, Shu-Hui. “The Effects of Aromatherapy in Relieving Symptoms Related to Job Stress among Nurses.” Wiley Online Library, International Journal of Nursing Practice, 15 Nov. 13ADAD, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijn.12229/full.
Johnson, Avery. "Targeting Depression; some Promising Treatments Take Different Path than Prozac, Aim at Body's Response to Stress." Wall Street Journal, Dec 14, 2006, ABI/INFORM Collection, http://argo.library.okstate.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/399001484?accountid=4117.
Johnson, Kari, et al. "Use of Aromatherapy to Promote a Therapeutic Nurse Environment." Intensive & Critical Care Nursing, vol. 40, 2017, pp. 18-25, Research Library, http://argo.library.okstate.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1892789382?accountid=4117, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2017.01.006.
Mills, Harry. “Medication Strategies For Stress Relier.” Medication Strategies For Stress Relief, Mental Health, 30 June 2008, www.mentalhelp.net/articles/medication-strategies-for-stress-relief/.
Moore, N., Pariente, A., & Be ́ gaud, B. (2015). Why are benzodiazepines not yet con- trolled substances? JAMA Psychiatry, 72, 110–111. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry. 2014.2190
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