Essential oils have been hailed for their wide variety of uses and can help with everything from occasional indigestion to just alleviating a foggy mood. For thousands of years, we’ve been using essential oils for a variety of applications, and their usage continues to span cultures around the world. The beautiful thing about essential oils is that they are completely natural and derived from leaves, flowers, roots, or bark.
How do essential oils work for Anxiety
A few of these wonderful oils have recently broken onto the main stage for their topical application and aromatic abilities to help reduce feelings of anxiety. The traditional methods are direct or indirect inhalation or as a topical application, blended with a carrier oil and massaged directly on the skin.
When inhaling, the essential oils stimulate the olfactory system, the part of the brain connected to smell, including the nose and the brain. When massaging oils on our skin, this experience can give a deep feeling of stability, warmth, and comfort. Thus aromatherapy can be a helpful natural remedy for anxiety.
Top essential oils to help with Anxiety
1. Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense has been utilized since the biblical days, touted for its ability to create a sense of tranquility and calming energy. This oil helps you to feel grounded and deepen peacefulness that can contribute to reducing anxiety. Frankincense essential oil blends well with Chamomile.
2. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils and is best known for promoting a relaxing and calming atmosphere. It can help with problems of falling asleep, feelings of restlessness, irritability, panic attacks, and creating a sense of inner peace.
According to a series of clinical trials in the “Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Applications,” the inhalation of lavender essential oil had a direct correlation with a reduction in anxiety and stress.
3. Vetiver Essential Oil
Vetiver is a traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India and often used in post-traumatic situations to help with stabilizing erratic moods and promoting a calming atmosphere. Vetiver also aids to create a self-aware relaxed state by decreasing hypersensitivity, distractions or feelings of over stimulation. Vetiver oil derives through steam distillation of the plant’s roots giving us a sweet, woody and smoky fragrance and blends well with Lavender and Ylang Ylang.
Vetiver Essential Oil is an excellent investment as the aroma gets better with age!
4. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Ylang Ylang essential oil is popular for its uplifting and nerve-calming effects, and its floral, sweet scent of Ylang Ylang is amazing. It is best distinguished by its ability to create positive, optimistic, and sometimes courageous moods. Additionally, by calming your nerves and heart agitation, it can be used as a sleeping aid.
According to a study by the Geochang Provincial College in Korea, Ylang Ylang was able to reduce serum cortisol levels and psychological stress responses. One drop is plenty given the powerful floral aroma.
5. Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
One of the most significant benefits of chamomile is that it could potentially create a meaningful antidepressant mood. Chamomile essential oil helps to decrease over-thinking, worry, and general irritability. It is also able to ease the anxious feeling that results from those states of mind as well. Chamomile offers a rich, fruity aroma and blends well with Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Lemon, and Grapefruit.
How to Use Essential Oils For Anxiety
Now that we’ve covered some of the best essential oils to help with anxiety, it’s time to go over how to use essential oils in more depth. You can use essential oils in a variety of ways, and each oil has a certain way it must be consumed – for safety and effectiveness.
Indirect Inhalation: This is a popular method to help with anxiety. Add a few drops of the essential oil in a diffuser or during a steam bath. As your room fills with a relaxing and natural scent, close your eyes and allow the natural aroma to work its magic.
Direct Inhalation: Just like when you have a cold, add a few drops of essential oils to hot water, cover your head with a towel, relax and breath.
Aromatherapy Massage: The topical application of essential oils is also a good method for dealing with anxious moods. Just add a few drops of essential oil to your favourite body lotion and massage directly on your skin. You can also create your blend with a carrier oil. These oils are capable of penetrating the skin rapidly. Please note, essential oils are very concentrated, and it’s important to dilute them with carrier oils such as jojoba, olive, avocado, sweet almond, or coconut oil.
Other Applications: You can add essential oils to your hair follicles, surrounding yourself with the healing and calming effects of essential oils.
Blends / Recipes
Chillin Recipe
- Two drops of Orange Essential Oil
- Two drops of Frankincense Essential Oil
- Eight drops of Lavender Essential Oil
- 2 oz of Sweet Almond Oil
- Add to an amber bottle with a roll top. Shake before application. Apply on skin and gently massage in a circular motion. You can also add this blend to your bath.
No Rush Bath Recipe
- 5 to 8 drops of your favourite essential oil
- Two tablespoons of Jojoba carrier oil
- Swish oils in a warm bath, sit, inhale deeply, exhale slowly and relax. No more than eight drops to your bath!
Pillow Talk Recipe
- One drop of Ylang Ylang
- Five drops of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- Add to 4 oz of water, shake and spray lightly on pillows or if you find the aroma too strong, spray in your bedroom.
Easy Mellow Feeling Recipe
- Three drops of Vetiver Oil
- Three drops of Jojoba carrier oil
- Add to body lotion, massage on the body
Sponsored post by Trysh Sutton, Owner of Pure Path Essential Oils. Pure Path Essential Oils is a naturopathic wellness company that promotes healthy living and healing through the use of essential oils and sustainable practices. As natural health care enthusiasts, Pure Path’s founder, Trysh Sutton, believes (and has the first-hand experience) that a large majority of health problems can be helped by following the right natural and organic treatments.
These recipes are not recommended for children or pregnant women. Some essential oils may contradict with medications. The FDA or Health Canada have not evaluated the statements made on this website. Please read our terms.
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