Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder. It distorts a person’s thoughts, actions, emotions, social life, and relationships. [1]
About 1% of the world’s population suffers from schizophrenia. In the U.S.A. alone more than 2.2 million people have schizophrenia.[2]
There’s no complete treatment for schizophrenia. You need lifelong management of this mental illness.
Essential oils for schizophrenia may manage the cognitive, psychological, and emotional disorientation associated with schizophrenia. [3]
However, keep in mind that these natural remedies cannot completely treat schizophrenia either.
In this article, you’ll learn all about schizophrenia including its types, causes, and symptoms. Plus, we’ll cover the efficacy and usage of essential oils for schizophrenia management.
5 Essential Oils for Schizophrenia Management
The following essential oil remedies may relieve anxiety, depression, and other symptoms of schizophrenic patients. [8]
1. Clary Sage Essential Oil
Clary sage essential oil comes from the perennial medicinal herb clary sage. The herb belongs to the Salvi genus and is a native of North Mediterranean and central Asia.
Clary sage is one of the most effective essential oils for hormonal imbalances. It’s a remedy for menopausal hot flashes, period cramps, digestive systems, and schizophrenia. [9]
Some major chemical components of Clary sage oil are alpha-terpineol, sclareol, geraniol, etc.
The oil has antidepressants, sedatives, anticonvulsive, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, and astringent properties.
Clary sage oil works as a tonic to calm the mind and relieve stress, tensions, anxiety, etc.
The herbal oil is an excellent alternative remedy for depression, trauma, and stress. Its strong anti-depressant components may provide a feeling of peace, and calm. [10]
How to use clary sage oil for schizophrenia:
- Pour 3-4 drops of Clary sage oil on a fresh handkerchief. Sniff in the calming aroma whenever you feel sad, fatigued, and stressed out.
- Also, you can soak in a hot shower mixing 10 drops of the essential oil into your bath.
Read More: 12 Essential Oils for Stress Reduction & How to Use Them
2. Lavender Oil
Lavender essential oil is famous for its calming, and uplifting aroma. This floral-scented aromatic oil originates from lavender blossoms through steam distillation. The therapeutic lavender herb is native to Mediterranean regions.
For a very long time, lavender oil is a perfect solution for all kinds of mental disorders.
It contains strong antidepressant, sedative, and anticonvulsant properties. These components have healing effects on your fatigued mind and body.
Schizophrenic symptoms include a lack of motivation, focus, and happiness in life. Lavender oil helps to order your chaotic thoughts into a perfect balance and harmony.
The uplifting aroma of the oil may rejuvenate your weak body, nerves, and mind. Thus you feel more confident and trust in yourself and the people around you. [11]
Learn how to use lavender essential oil for schizophrenia:
- You can diffuse 8-10 drops of lavender oil and make your home a safe, and peaceful environment. If you disperse the oil at night, the oil may relieve insomnia and related problems.
- You can breathe in the lovely aroma of lavender on a daily basis to calm down your mind and stay focused.
3. Roman Chamomile Oil
Roman chamomile essential oil originates from the flowers of the medicinal chamomile plants. The oil is steam distilled from the flowers of this oldest known medicinal herb.
Chamomile oil along with lavender is the best essential oil to boost your mood.
Its potent antidepressant and sedative properties may affect the neurotransmitters in the brain. Thus, they induce relaxation and peace. It may help you deal with insomnia and mental disturbances and cause restful sleep. [12]
Ways to use Roman chamomile oil for schizophrenia:
- Mix 3-4 drops of chamomile essential oil with a tablespoon of jojoba oil. Use it as a relaxing body massage.
- Try to breathe in the calming aroma of the oil and consume chamomile tea on a daily basis.
Read More: 14 Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea (Backed by Science)
4. Rosemary Oil
Rosemary essential oil comes from the rosemary herb that belongs to the mint family. The herb is native to the Mediterranean region.
Dried rosemary leaves are favorite ingredients to flavor many delicious dishes. The therapeutic benefits of rosemary go well beyond its uses in the culinary world. [13]
From ancient times onward, Greek and Hebrew cultures deem this evergreen plant sacred. Rosemary oil is an integral part of the folk remedies available in these regions.
Rosemary oil is an excellent alternative remedy for neurological and brain disorders.
Even Shakespeare hints at the ability of rosemary in strengthening memory.
“There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance, pray you, love, remember.” Says Ophelia in Hamlet.
The research comes out with fascinating discoveries about rosemary oil.
144 participants attended the research. It suggests that rosemary oil enhances the performance of memory.
The oil contributes to higher alertness, concentration, and a feeling of peace. [14]
Thus it is evident that rosemary oil is a great natural remedy to manage schizophrenia.
How to manage schizophrenia with rosemary oil:
Add 3 drops of rosemary oil to ½ a tablespoon of coconut oil and form a memory-boosting oil blend. Massage this oil solution to your upper neck or diffuse the oil before you sleep.
5. Sandalwood Oil
Sandalwood essential oil is steam distilled from the roots of the sandalwood plants. The highest quality sandalwood oil comes from Indian sandalwood trees.
The maturity of the plants from which you can get the oil makes a big difference in the quality and aroma of the oil. Sandalwood trees between 40 to 80 years are the sources of the purest form of sandalwood oil. [15]
In India sandalwood is a sacred tree. People use this wood for different religious rituals and practices.
In recent times, the tree population has decreased at an alarming rate. Hence sandalwood oil is rare and more expensive than other essential oils on the market.
This woodsy and sweet-scented oil has versatile therapeutic benefits. The oil is rich in potent anti-inflammatory, sedative, and antidepressant components.
The most popular benefits and uses of sandalwood oil are related to mental health. It helps gain both mental clarity and calmness during some exhaustive mind work.
It has positive effects on cognitive clarity, mental focus, memory power, and calmness.
Sandalwood oil has milder sedative qualities than lavender oil. Thus, it doesn’t cause drowsiness like the latter.
Sandalwood oil promotes a harmonious feeling, calm, and relaxed awareness. [16]
Learn how you may use sandalwood oil for schizophrenia :
Massage 2-4 drops of sandalwood oil on the ankles, wrists, and the neck to relieve stress and depression. Moreover, you can inhale the aroma directly from the bottle to boost your mental clarity. A sandalwood oil bath is also beneficial to manage schizophrenia symptoms.
Read More: 11 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Depression
Other Natural Cures for Schizophrenia
Herbs for schizophrenia: a 2005 medical study reports the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine for managing schizophrenia. In China, traditional Chinese herbs have been used as a primary form of antipsychotic treatment for 2000 years. [17]
Modern researchers have investigated the antipsychotic properties of Chinese herbs.
The herbs have beneficial effects in treating different kinds of psychiatric illnesses. Chinese herbal treatment is recommended as a complementary treatment with other antipsychotic drugs to manage schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia diet: a diet for schizophrenia patients should be free from gluten.
Certain kinds of grains such as wheat, rye, barley, etc. contain a high amount of gluten.
A research study shows the benefits of a gluten-free diet in reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia. [18]
Moreover, a ketogenic diet (high-fat/protein and low-carbohydrate) is proved to be effective in managing schizophrenia symptoms. [19]
However, a change of diet may not always provide positive results for schizophrenia. You need to consult an expert for proper guidance in this matter
Vitamins for schizophrenia: according to several research vitamins B6, B9, and B12, folic acid, Vitamin C, and E may be beneficial for schizophrenic patients. A deficiency of vitamin D may have some effects on the severity of schizophrenia symptoms. Hence it’s imperative to intake this vitamin for schizophrenia management. [20]
Fish oil supplements for schizophrenia: Inflammation is one of the primary causes of negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Omega-3 fatty acids are good for reducing body inflammation. Fish oil is one of the generous and affordable sources of omega-3 fatty acids. A medical experiment conducted among 81 participants suffering from schizophrenia took fish oil supplements. The result showed a positive result in relieving schizophrenia symptoms among them. [24]
Acupuncture for schizophrenia: There’s insufficient evidence that acupuncture may be a complementary treatment for schizophrenia.
Therapies for schizophrenia: There is enough evidence to confirm the efficacy of some therapies as supplement treatments for schizophrenia. These therapies include Glycine therapy, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Electro-Convulsive therapy (ECT), Music therapy, Art therapy, Mega-vitamin therapy, Stem-cell-based therapies, etc. [21] [22] [23]
Types of Schizophrenia
Experts classify schizophrenia based on the severity and frequency of the psychotic episodes.
There are schizophrenics living a healthy life between a few psychotic events in their lifetime.
The cycle of relapses and remissions of symptoms may improve or worsen these psychotic episodes. [17]
Here are a few sub-types of schizophrenia:
Paranoid: it is a prevalent subtype of mental disorder. A paranoid person feels that someone is spying, or plotting against him/her for no apparent reason. [18]
Disorganized: the victim appears chaotic, confused, frightened, and withdrawn from society.
Catatonia: the victim has less physical mobility and losses the ability to speak.
Doctors and scientists don’t give much value to the subtypes as discussed above. The symptoms and causes of schizophrenia may give a better understanding of this mental condition. [19]
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia symptoms manifest in the way a person acts, behaves, thinks, perceives, and relates.
At the beginning stage of the psychosis, a schizophrenic experiences sudden and severe forms of psychotic episodes.
Here are some of the most apparent signs and symptoms of schizophrenia: [20]
- Inability to comprehend, coordinate things, and make decisions
- Difficulty to focus or concentrate
- Decreased memory power
- An absence of emotions or hiding emotions
- A tendency to withdraw from the family, social gatherings, and social activities
- Fatigue and reduced motivation
- Hallucinations and delusions
- Losing purpose, aim, or meaning of life
- Reduced amount of social time, conversation with people around
- Lack of interest, happiness in life
- No care for cleanliness or hygiene
What Causes Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a serious medical condition. The researchers could not pin down the exact cause of this mental disorder. However, some factors may be responsible for developing schizophrenia. [21]
These risk factors include:
Hereditary reasons or genetics: if there’s a history of schizophrenia in your family, chances are high for you to develop schizophrenia.
Abnormal brain chemistry: schizophrenia may be a result of certain neurotransmitters not regulating inside the brain.
This imbalance or abnormality may manifest in disoriented thoughts, actions, and behavior of the person.
Abnormal brain structure: in rare cases researchers have come across schizophrenics with unusual brain structures. [22]
External factors: some of the crucial external factors such as a tragedy in personal life or family, extensive use of drugs such as marijuana, hormonal changes during adolescence, stress, etc. can have a severe toll on mental health. [23]
People who experience such events in life with a prior tendency to inherit schizophrenia may fall victim to the condition eventually.
Read More: How to Get Rid of Anxiety: 11 Effective Home Remedies
When to See a Psychiatrist
Schizophrenia is one of the most chronic and disabling mental disorders. It is not split or multiple personality syndrome. It is psychosis or mental illness that makes the victim frightened and withdrawn from society.
Schizophrenia makes it difficult for a person to distinguish between what’s in reality and what he/she imagines.
Thus, the behavior of a schizophrenic is in contrast with what is regarded as ‘normal’ in society.
A person with schizophrenia may seem a very strange person. His or her activities may be shocking to the people around him. The confusing thoughts, sounds, and images that schizophrenic experiences are known as psychotic episodes.
Schizophrenic persons can be dangerous if they fail to manage the symptoms. You must consult a psychiatrist if you see your condition degrades. [24]
A professional may diagnose the nature of the mental illness.
Final Word
Traditional medications for schizophrenia can have lasting side effects on the brain. But you may choose natural options like essential oils for schizophrenia management.
Dietary changes, yoga, and aromatherapy are some other natural ways of managing schizophrenia symptoms. You can try these natural cures along with essential oils remedies.
Living with schizophrenia is an arduous journey. Sometimes it may seem overwhelming, and you may want to ‘quit.’
But, you need not walk alone on this long tiresome path. Family and friends can provide much support to overcome this mental condition.
That’s why you should have a better understanding of schizophrenia to deal with a person living with it.
The natural remedies for schizophrenia discussed in the article are only holistic approaches to managing symptoms of the mental disorder. Remember, these are not alternative treatments for schizophrenia.
Read Next: 13 Ways on How to Cure Panic Attack Using Home Remedies
