Best Calming Essential Oils For Anxiety
Do You suffer from an anxiety disorder? If yes, you know how difficult and uneasy it can be to do your routine tasks. Some anxiety is normal, but regular anxiety symptoms can be a mess. When anxiety becomes a struggle, it is time to act on it. There are plenty of essential oils for anxiety that is proven to relieve stress and calm the mind.
Below we have curated a list of the best essential oils for treating anxiety. Before jumping onto that, let’s learn a little something about how aromatherapy works for anxiety.
How does Aromatherapy work?
Aromatherapy is a practice of inhaling essential oils scent to improve your well being. Aromatherapy works by stimulating the nose’s smell receptors and sending calming messages to the nervous system for relieving stress. There are plenty of relaxing and calming essential oils used as a natural remedy to relieve stress and anxiety.
Essential oils must always be diluted with any carrier oil of your choice when applied to the skin. This reduces any chance of irritation or side effects. For an adult, 1 ounce of carrier oil should be used with every 15 drops of essential oil. When using it on children, mix it in the ratio of 3 to 6 drops to 1 ounce of carrier oil. Some of the most commonly used carrier oils are coconut, jojoba, and almond oil.
Keep reading to find out the best essential oils for relieving stress and anxiety.
Essential Oils For Anxiety
Check out the best calming aromatherapy essential oils for anxiety:
Valerian
Valerian is an ancient herb that is used for medicinal purposes. It is believed to contain compounds that have a calming or relaxing effect on the nerves and induces sleep. It works by leaving a sedative effect on the body.
Valerian is one of the best calming essential oils for anxiety. You can add a few drops of valerian oil into an aromatherapy diffuser and inhale it. Valerian will make you feel more relaxed and sleepy.
Jatamansi
Jatamansi belongs to the same plant family as Valerian. This plant is used widely in ayurvedic medicines to encourage sleep and calm the mind.
A study presents that Jatamansi helps to relieve depression by decreasing the MAO receptors and GABA neurotransmitters in the brain.
You can dilute Jatamansi oil on your forehead or temples to relieve the symptoms of anxiety.
Lavender
Lavender is one of the most commonly used aromatherapy oils for anxiety. A 2012 study presents that lavender aromatherapy helps to calm anxiety by positively impacting the limbic system (emotion controlling part of the brain).
You can create lavender essential oil blends for anxiety. Just mix a few drops of lavender oil with any carrier oil of your choice in the warm water tub and enjoy a relaxing bath.
Jasmine
Jasmine makes relaxing and calming essential oils. A 2013 study presents that inhaling jasmine essential oils can promote a sense of romance and well-being.
It is the only essential oil for anxiety that works by calming the nervous system and not by inducing sleep.
You can either inhale the oil directly or use it in a diffuser to fill the room with a beautiful scent.
Holy basil
Holy basil or tulsi is not the same that you used in making lasagna but is from the same family. It contains a compound called eugenol, which gives it a minty, spicy aroma. This compound has shown promising results in treating mental and physical stress.
To use holy basil essential oils in aromatherapy for anxiety, all you need to do is just add a few drops to the diffuser and inhale the oil.
Sweet basil
Sweet basil not only makes a good herb for cooking, but it also renders properties to relieve anxiety symptoms. It can relieve stress by calming the mind. A 2015 study presents that sweet basil contains a compound called phenol, which helps relieve anxiety symptoms. You can add drops of sweet basil essential oil into the diffuser and let its aroma spread in the rooms.
Bergamot
Who would have thought that Bergamot oranges can help in relieving anxiety?
According to a study, Bergamot essential oils help in improving the mood and relieving stress.
You can place a few drops of Bergamot oil on your handkerchief or cotton ball and inhale the aroma two-three times to treat anxiety symptoms.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a popularly used oil because of its intoxicating scent and sedating properties. People with mild to a moderate anxiety disorder or symptoms can benefit from chamomile essential oil.
Massaging the chamomile essential oil blends into the skin or adding it to warm water baths can work wonders for anxiety.
Rose
Roses have a very enchanting floral scent, which relaxes the senses. Rose essential oils are known to have the same effects for treating anxiety during pregnancy.
You can add rose essential oil mixes, soak in a warm water tub, and soak your feet. You can even add a few drops to your moisturizer and massage it into the skin.
Vetiver
It is not a very popular essential oil, however, do not mistake it for less effectiveness. Vetiver oil is extracted from the vetiver grass plant native to India. It has a very earthy and sweet scent, which is also used as an aphrodisiac.
According to a 2015 study, vetiver essential oil, when used in Aromatherapy for anxiety-induced relaxation effect on the body. It works similar to the anti-anxiety drug diazepam.
You can dilute the vetiver oil in any carrier oil for a relaxing massage or add it to the room diffuser and inhale it.
Ylang ylang
Floral ylang-ylang oil is being used in aromatherapy to promote relaxing effects for years now. It is another one of the best essential oils for treating anxiety.
According to a study done on nurses, inhaling essential oil mixes of lavender, ylang-ylang and bergamot lowered heart rate, blood pressure, serum cortisol, anxiety, and stress levels.
To use ylang ylang oil, you can create your essential oil blends for anxiety and inhale it or apply it to your skin.
Frankincense
Frankincense essential oil is extracted from the resin of the Boswellia tree. This oil has a sweet, musky aroma that eases anxiety.
According to a study, essential oil mixes of lavender, frankincense, and bergamot, when used in aromatherapy hand massage, showed positive results in treating depression, anxiety, and pain terminal cancer patients.
You can massage the diluted frankincense oil on your feet and hands and add it to the diffuser to relieve anxiety.
Clary sage
Clary sage essential oil has a very herbal and woody odor and is known for its calming abilities. It is also used as an aphrodisiac.
Clary sage can control the cortisol levels in women and ease stress. Cortisol is a stress hormone, and an increase in cortisol levels can increase depression and anxiety.
You can inhale clary sage oil or massage it diluted onto the skin when you feel anxious.
Patchouli
Musky patchouli is an ayurvedic medicinal oil to relieve stress, depression, and anxiety. It is often used by mixing with other carrier essential oils like lavender. Patchouli helps to promote relaxation, calmness in the mind and body.
You can dilute it in a warm water bath or use it in a room diffuser to treat anxiety symptoms.
Geranium
Geranium essential oil is extracted from the geranium plant. As per a 2015 study inhaling geranium oil during labor helped to reduce anxiety. It also reduces diastolic blood pressure.
You can apply a few drops of geranium oil to a cotton ball and put it under your nose 3-4 times.
Lemon balm
Lemon balm has a very uplifting and fresh aroma. It is used in Aromatherapy for soothing symptoms of anxiety and leaving restorative effects.
People also consume lemon balm oil capsules to treat mild-moderate symptoms of anxiety disorders. Not only this, but it is also proven to improve sleep quality.
Lemon balm oil can be added to the diffuser, or you can even inhale its scent directly.
Marjoram
Marjoram is also known as oregano and is known to induce calming effects on stress and nervousness. It is also proven to reduce headaches, which is a common anxiety symptom.
You can dilute it with any carrier oil of your choice and apply it to your temples or wrists. It also works wonderfully when added to the room diffuser.
Fennel
Fennel is one the most loved cooking spices and is famous for its anise aroma. People use it to treat various side effects of anxiety-like digestive problems.
According to a 2007 study, fennel supplements can help the side effects of menopause like hot flashes, anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.
You can dilute the fennel oil in a warm bath to relax your mind and body.
Things To Take care of Before Using Essential Oils.
Essential oils have many benefits for health; however, these can also cause an allergic reaction when used directly. To prevent any associated risk, it is important to do a patch test on a small area of the skin before using it on your body.
You can put a few drops of essential oil on your elbow or wrist and cover it with a bandage and check it after 24 hours. If you notice any rash, redness, or itching, the oil will not be safe to use on your skin.
Essential oils are not safe to use for everyone, and this holds true especially for pregnant or breastfeeding women and people with underlying conditions. You must always consult with your doctor before using any type of oil.
Warning:- Not every essential oil is created equal; therefore, you must always buy from a reputable brand or source. These are not monitored by FDA, which makes it extremely important to see what you are buying.
Final Words:
There are plenty of the best essential oils for treating anxiety; however, these are not a substitute for visiting your doctor. If you are feeling anxious because of an important meeting or had a very stressful day at work, aromatherapy might work wonders.
However, if you have a chronic anxiety disorder that interferes with your everyday routine, it is important to immediately see your doctor.
