Necessary Essential Oils That Relieve Anxiety and Stress

These are the necessary essential oils that relieve anxiety and stress according to aromatherapy. By inhaling or applying on the body, these essential oils provide a natural way to promote feelings of calmness, reliving anxiety and stress. While these essential oils lessen the effects of anxiety and stress, they do not take the place of a professional health counselor. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, please consult a therapist or psychologist. 

1. Lavender Oil

Lavender is a popular herb found in native Africa or the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean. Commonly regarded for its benefits to skin and beauty, when its flower spikes are distilled it produces a therapeutic essential oil.

Being considered one of the most popular and versatile out of essential oils, it’s a necessary essential oil in particular when it comes to anxiety and stress. Several studies testing out lavender’s anxiety-reducing effects concluded that inhaling the scent of lavender lessened anxiety and improved the mood of those being tested. This natural solution works by lowering blood pressure and heart rate to restore the nervous system back to homeostasis. It calms the nerves and is known for appeasing restlessness before sleep, improving sleep duration and quality. It is toxic if digested, so make sure not to directly ingest it but rather place a few drops of oil in a diffuser, or get a lavender oil rollerball to apply directly on your temples or wrists. 

2. Rose Essential Oil

A cultured and familiar smell, rose essential oil is created from the distilled extracted rose petals of the Rosa damascena plant. Deriving from one of the most intoxicating floral aromas, rose oil is known to be sought out for. 

Out of the necessary essential oils, this one proves to be quite valuable and renowned for stabilizing emotions and hormones. The rich sweet floral notes of the essential oil creates a vibrant feeling of positivity and uplifted self-reflection when inhaled. Known as a euphoric essential oil, it reduces anxiety levels and strengthens the heart in times of stress and depression by actualizing self-nurturing feelings. This essential oil is widely used in aromatherapy. It can be applied directly on the skin for a deeper penetration, or a few drops can be applied to a diffuser. One can also directly inhale it by placing a few drops onto a cloth, but use a light hand since it can be over-powering and highly concentrated. 

3. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Pronounced as “Ee-lang Ee-lang” it may not be  familiar, but it most certainly is a vital essential oil out of the necessarily essentials oils that relieve anxiety and stress. The meaning of its name translates to wilderness, which is where the Indonesian Cananga tree which formulates this particular oil is found. It’s created from distilling the tree’s sea star shaped flowering parts. 

It’s sweet fruity smell not only is known for having many aphrodisiac properties, but also is used in aromatherapy for health-supporting characteristics. This essential oil promotes feelings of comfort and relaxation by reducing the effects of anxiety and stress. It lower’s ones heart rate, blood pressure, and eases the stress exerted on the nervous system. 

4. Bergamot Essential Oil

Bergamot essential oil is extracted from the peels of the citric fruit, Citrus bergamia, that grows on the Bergamot orange trees.  Most traditionally used in Chinese medicine, however it derived its name from the town of Bergamo in souther Italy.

Resembling the tea Early Grey, Bergamot essential oil has notes of spice in it and is commonly used in perfumes, colognes, and cosmetics for its scent. In addition, this essential oil’s benefits to aromatherapy are vital. It’s known for being an anti-depressant because of it’s mood-enhancing properties that signal to the brain to release dopamine and serotonin. This in turn leads to feelings of joy and energy. It also provides health benefits by improving blood circulation, regulating digestion, and providing balance by regulating emotions. 

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5. Melissa Essential Oil

Melissa Essential Oil is actually Lemon Balm, but has been given the nickname “Melissa” for the last hundred years. It’s part of the mint family, and the oil is steam distilled from the aerial parts of the lemon balm plant before it fully flowers. 

It has an earthy scent with notes of grass and lemon that provide a calming relaxed atmosphere. Melissa essential oils have been pointed the term “elixir of life” because of its mood-lifting qualities. This essential oil is known to calm the mind and aide in easing symptoms of anxiety and stress. Its soothing properties allow it to act as an anti-depressant by releasing negative feelings. One can inhale this essential oil through a diffuser for its relaxing properties, or the oil is edible and can be used for a citrus flavor in foods to promote a healthy immune system. After a long day as well, draw a warm bath and drop a few drops of the oil into the water for a relaxing bath and deeper penetration through the skin. 

6. Jasmine Essential Oil

This essential oil derives from the white flower parts of the jasmine plant, or otherwise known as Jasminun officinale. Originating from Iran and widely used in Asia, this plant can now be found in tropical climates. 

Its sweet romantic scent is what gained this plant its popularity. It’s aphrodisiac scent has been commonly used in beauty throughout hair products to makeup products as well. Found in the infamous Chanel No.5 perfume, it’s also become a normalized component of desserts and alcohol. It’s no surprise that it has seeped it’s way into aromatherapy as well. Jasmine essential oil has been used in Asia for decades to naturally soothe anxiety, stress, and depression. It increases behavioral arousal by improving one’s mood into becoming more energetic and positive. To get the most of its mental benefits, massage the oil into your skin by a rollerball or inhale it directly from the bottle.

Have you ever tried out any of these essential oil? Do you have any recommendations when it comes to essential oils? Let us know in the comments below!