Aromatherapy is often used as a natural remedy to relieve anxiety and stress. The scents of essential oils stimulate our nervous system in a positive way. When applying an essential oil to your skin, you should dilute it by adding a diffuser oil to the blend such as coconut oil, jojoba oil or almond oil.
Below are 12 essential oils you can use to relieve your symptoms of anxiety:
Jasmine
Jasmine oil has a wonderful scent. According to a 2013 study, inhaling jasmine oil can promote a sense of well-being and romance. Unlike some other essential oils used for anxiety, jasmine oil is thought to calm the nervous system without causing sleepiness.
How to use: Inhale jasmine oil directly from the bottle or allow the scent to fill the room through a diffuser. You can also apply Jasmine oil on your body as a perfume to smell this wonderful scent wherever you go and receive the skin benefits of Jasmine oil.
Lavender
Lavender is a popular aromatherapy oil. According to 2012 research, lavender aromatherapy is thought to calm anxiety by impacting the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls emotions.
How to use: Enjoy a relaxing lavender bath by adding several drops of lavender oil with a teaspoon of carrier oil or an unscented bath gel. Stir the mixture into warm bathwater just before entering. You can also inhale lavender oil from a diffuser.
Rose
Rose essential oil is extracted from rose petals. Roses have an enchanting floral scent known to relax the senses.
According to 2014 study, using a rose aromatherapy footbath can reduce anxiety in pregnant women during labor.
How to use: Soak your feet in a basin filled with warm water and diluted rose essential oil. You can also add rose oil to your favorite non-scented moisturizer or shea butter and massage into skin.
Chamomile
Chamomile is well-known for its relaxing and sedating properties and intoxicating scent. There isn’t much research on chamomile essential oil for anxiety. Research shows that chamomile supplements benefit people with mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorder.
How to use: Massage diluted chamomile oil into your skin or add it to a warm bath.
Frankincense
Frankincense oil is made from the resin of the Boswellia tree. It has a musky, sweet aroma that’s thought to ease anxiety. According to a 2008 study, an aromatherapy hand massage using a blend of frankincense, lavender, and bergamot improved anxiety, depression, and pain in people with terminal cancer.
How to use: Massage diluted frankincense oil onto your hands or feet. You can also add frankincense to a diffuser.
Clary sage
Clary sage has a woody, herbal odor. Due to its calming abilities, it’s often used as an aphrodisiac.
According to a 2015 systematic review, clary sage can ease tension and help control cortisol levels in women. Cortisol is known as the stress hormone. High cortisol levels may increase your risk of anxiety and depression.
How to use: Inhale clary sage oil directly when you feel anxious, or massage the diluted oil into your skin.
Patchouli
Musky patchouli is used in ayurvedic medicine to relieve anxiety, stress, and depression. It’s usually combined with other essential oils such as lavender. Patchouli helps you feel calmness and relaxation, though most evidence is anecdotal.
How to use: To relieve anxiety, inhale patchouli oil directly or add it diluted to a warm bath or room diffuser.
Ylang ylang
Floral-scented ylang ylang is used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation. According to a 2006 study on nurses, inhaling a blend of ylang ylang, lavender, and bergamot lowered stress and anxiety levels, blood pressure, heart rate, and serum cortisol.
How to use: Apply diluted ylang ylang to your skin, add to a room diffuser, or inhale directly.
Lemon balm
Lemon balm has a fresh, uplifting scent. In aromatherapy, it has a soothing, restorative effect. Most success stories on inhaling lemon balm for anxiety are anecdotal. But according to a 2011 study, taking lemon balm tea or capsules may help people with mild to moderate anxiety disorders. It also improves sleep.
How to use: Lemon balm is a great oil to add to a diffuser to add scent to an entire room. You can also inhale it directly.
Sweet basil
Sweet basil essential oil in aromatherapy, helps calm the mind and relieve stress.
According to a 2015 study on mice, the phenol compounds in sweet basil oil help to reduce anxiety. These compounds were found to be less sedating than the anxiety medication diazepam.
How to use: Add several drops of sweet basil oil to a room diffuser or inhale through an inhaler tube.
Bergamot
Bergamot oil comes from bergamot oranges and has an invigorating citrus scent. According to a 2015 study, both animal and human trials have shown that bergamot helps reduce anxiety and improve mood.
When used topically, bergamot may increase sun sensitivity.
How to use: Place a few drops of bergamot oil onto a cotton ball or handkerchief. Inhale the aroma two to three times to help relieve anxiety.
Geranium
Geranium oil is distilled from the geranium plant. According to a 2015 study on women in the first stage of labor, inhaling geranium oil effectively reduced their anxiety during labor. It may also help decrease diastolic blood pressure.
How to use: Apply a few drops geranium oil to a cotton ball and waft under your nose a few times.
In Conclusion
If you have a stressful day at work or you’re feeling anxious, an aromatherapy session is just what you need.
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