In this post, we look at some of the best essential oils for stress and anxiety.
Anxiety disorders are among the most widespread form of psychiatric disorder and can make life difficult for those who suffer from them. Current treatments have a variety of limitations including delay in a therapeutic effect, dependence on them to work properly, tolerance levels that limit effectiveness after prolonged use, and withdrawal symptoms when stopping treatment suddenly.
If you are dealing with anxiety and stress, there are many natural remedies that you can use alone or in addition to other treatments. One such remedy to alleviate this stress is through the use of essential oils. Your nervous system as well as the chemistry of your brain can be affected by the properties of various essential oils. This post contains various essential oils for stress and anxiety relief.
Popular Essential Oils for Stress and Anxiety
Popular anxiolytic oils include lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), rose (Rosa damascena), orange (Citrus sinensis), bergamot (Citrus aurantium), lemon (Citrus limon), sandalwood (Santalum album), clary sage (Salvia sclarea), Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), and rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium spp.).
Studies on Using Essential Oils for Stress and Anxiety
One study found that aromatherapy had a positive effect on reducing anxiety, increasing sleep, and stabilizing. It also improved BP in the patients in the cardiovascular ICU after cardiac stent insertion; therefore, it may be used as an independent intervention. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3588400/).
A recent study has shown how diffusing citrus essential oils into clinical settings was beneficial: not only did these scents improve air quality but also had an effect on staff members as well. With its ability to increase one’s level of alertness while simultaneously decreasing fatigue levels, there is plenty of reason why citrus scents should be considered for stress and anxiety relief. Citrus smells like warm summer days with the sun shining from a clear blue sky – so it’s no surprise that they can be therapeutic too!
The above study found that the diffusion of citrus EOs in the clinical setting positively affected nurses’ mood. In this study, self-report questionnaires measured the impact of EO diffusion on nurses’ stress, depression, anxiety, distress, and mood. Three EOs (Citrus Bliss, Grapefruit, Wild Orange) were diffused in 2-week blocks and citrus essential oils improved the nurses’ mood. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33463729/)
Best Essential Oils for Stress and Anxiety
1. Lavender
Essential oil (EO) of lavender (LEO; Lavandula angustifolia) is purported to be antibacterial, antifungal, anxiolytic, antidepressant, analgesic, carminative (smooth-muscle relaxant), as well as to have beneficial immunomodulatory effects on wound healing. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6007527/)
Lavender essential oil always seems to come up first on almost any essential oils list. It is multipurpose and one of the easiest essential oils to access. One of lavender’s main benefits is its soothing and calming properties. It is highly effective against anxiety and should be a staple in anyone’s essential oil collection. This oil is really one of the best essential oils for stress and anxiety.
Carrier Oil to Essential Oil Ratio | Best Carrier Oils
2. Chamomile
This is another popular stress-relieving oil. Roman chamomile is used to calm nerves and promote relaxation. German chamomile can bring pain relief and has anti-inflammatory properties; so if being unwell is adding to your stress load, this oil can help ease that.
3. Ylang-Ylang
Ylang ylang has a unique, pleasant smell and is excellent for unwinding when dealing with a long, stressful period in your life.
It is a known mood booster and has the capacity to lift your feelings. Use it in the morning, before bed, or anytime you need a pick-me-up.
4. Frankincense
Frankincense is an oil that has been used for thousands of years. It has a timeless scent and it is known to bring feelings of peace, relaxation, and well-being to those who use it.
Grades of Essential Oils & Ways to Apply Essential Oils
This is one of the more expensive oils. Although it can be used alone, it is effective when used in combination with some of the other anti-anxiety oils.
5. Lemon
This essential oil is bright and cheery, and perfect for beginning a long day that is sure to include some ups and downs. It is known to affect the autonomic nervous system in a positive way. Many people associate good feelings with the scent of lemon, and this alone is a reason to put some lemon oil into your cabinet of natural remedies.
How to Use Essential Oils for Stress and Anxiety
Essential oils have been shown to enter the bloodstream when they are inhaled or applied topically. They can be diffused alone or in a combination of oils that team up to combat a specific problem, which in this case is stress and anxiety.
To relieve stress or anxiety, you can dilute essential oils with a carrier oil and apply the mixture to your feet before bed for a good night’s sleep without all-night worrying. Experiment to find the combination that you love and that brings you a feeling of peace. Use any carrier oil that you like – whether it be almond, apricot, olive, coconut, avocado, or anything else you have on hand.
Bottom Line
Essential oils deserve a place in your line-up of ways to deal with anxiety. Remember that if you have tried natural remedies and nothing seems to be helping, you should consider a trip to the doctor to find out if there is something going on that may warrant some extra help.
With the use of essential oils in combination with healthy lifestyle changes and the guidance of a doctor – who is familiar with how to incorporate natural therapies with standard therapies – you will be well on your way to full emotional health and a less stressful life.
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19831048/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6007527/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5111093/