Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the US. Current statistics show that 18.1% of the population (over 40 million people!) currently battle with this disorder. The sad part is that these disorders are treatable but only 36.9% of people who struggle ever seek professional help.

Anyone could experience stress and panic, even without an anxiety disorder.

With clinical depression, the brain is often physically affected. In those who suffer medically, their brains produce incorrect levels of certain chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and cortisol. This isn’t the only factor, however.

Harvard Health states:

“It’s often said that depression results from a chemical imbalance, but that figure of speech doesn’t capture how complex the disease is. …depression doesn’t spring from simply having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals…there are many possible causes of depression…faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, stressful life events, medications, and medical problems. It’s believed that several of these forces interact to bring on depression.” [Harvard]

An ordinary plant could help with stress and panic.

Jasmine is one of the most common plants found in the home. From soothing cups of herbal tea, sweet-smelling potpourri, and essential oils, jasmine makes its way into our lives at one point or another. Chanel No. 5 even included it in its famous fragrance!

Jasmine has been shown to help people with panic and anxiety attacks.

Beyond just smelling incredible, does Jasmine have any health benefits? While many of the claims of certain supplements haven’t been proven through testing, some have! Welcome to the world of aromatherapy.

Jasmine as an antidepressant.

Symptoms of depression have been shown to decrease as a result of jasmine. Certain studies have shown that jasmine increased behavioral arousal as compared to a placebo. The conclusion is that jasmine can be used for improving mood!

Aromatherapy works by linking smells, memories, and emotions.

We all know how powerful a scent can be. Remember the smell of your school hallway and the flashbacks of high school it brings? Terrifying. Well, jasmine works in a similar fashion. Since jasmine smells so great, we often link it to relaxation and peace.

Live Science says:

A scent is a chemical particle that floats in through the nose and into the brain’s olfactory bulbs, where the sensation is first processed into a form that’s readable by the brain. Brain cells then carry that information to a tiny area of the brain called the amygdala, where emotions are processed, and then to the adjoining hippocampus, where learning and memory formation take place. [Live Science]

Because of the path that the chemical particle takes, it is uniquely linked to both smells, memories, and emotions!

How do I use it?

Something to note is that aromatherapy may not be the best choice for sufferers of chronic anxiety and depression. Professionals recommend therapy and medication as the most effective. For other anxiety and panic needs, jasmine may be a great choice!

Some of the best ways to use jasmine include essential oil massages, oil diffusers, and scented cosmetic products! Over time, you could begin to associate the refreshing and calming scent of jasmine and reinforce those emotions!

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Sources: ADAA Harvard Live Science Relieved, Science Daily