Essential oils have been around for centuries. The beauty of essential oils is that they are natural, extracted from flowers, leaves, bark or roots of plants. While it’s best to make sure you use pure essential oils, meaning oils that have not been diluted with chemicals or additives, they can provide much needed relief and healing for a variety of ailments, including as a natural remedy for anxiety. Here is a list of essential oils you could use for anxiety:
BERGAMOT ESSENTIAL OIL
Bergamot is part of the citrus family and is fresh and uplifting. This oil is calming and often used to treat anxiety and depression by providing energy; however, it can also help with insomnia induce relaxation and reduce agitation. Bergamot is commonly found in Earl Grey tea and has a distinctive floral taste and aroma. Try putting a few drops of essential oil on a tissue paper and deep breathe.
LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL
Perhaps the most versatile and popular of all essential oils, lavender is great for relaxation, heart health and well-being in general. There are many studies proving the effectiveness of lavender on stress, depression and anxiety. It’s considered a nervous system restorative and helps with inner peace, sleep, restlessness, panic attacks, and general nervous tension. Try putting a few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow or in your bath, or add a few drops to a cup of boiling water and inhale the steam for a quick calm-me-down.
ROSE ESSENTIAL OIL
One of the benefits of rose essential oil is it’s very settling to the emotional heart and perhaps the second most popular after lavender for relieving anxiety and depression, helping with panic attacks, grieving and shock.
YLANG YLANG ESSENTIAL OIL
This popular essential oil can treat anxiety and depression due to its calming and uplifting effects. Ylang ylang helps with cheerfulness, courage, optimism and soothes fearfulness. It may calm heart agitation and nervous palpitations and is a moderately strong sedative, which can help with insomnia.
Caution: Be careful when using ylang ylang, as it can be sensitizing or irritating to the skin; avoid using in conditions of low blood pressure.
FRANKINCENSE ESSENTIAL OIL
Frankincense is great for treating depression and anxiety because it provides a calming and tranquil energy as well as spiritual grounding. In aromatherapy, it helps deepen meditation and quiet the mind. Mixed with bergamot and lavender oils in a 1:1 ratio in an aroma hand massage, frankincense could have a positive effect on pain and depression.
HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS FOR ANXIETY
TOPICAL APPLICATION
Many prefer topical uses of essential oils. Topical application is a process of placing an essential oil on the skin, hair or, nails. When the oils touch the skin, they penetrate rapidly.
Caution: Since they are so potent, it is important to dilute and blend with carrier oil.
DIFFUSE
Add a few drops to your diffuser and diffuse throughout the day to uplift your spirit or calm your mind. Diffuse at night in your bedroom to promote a better night’s rest or to ease your thoughts. Or add a few drops to your pillow to inhale while you sleep.
RELAXING BATH
Add 5 to 10 drops of EOs to your bath tub to alleviate feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression. If you have a sensitive skin, dilute the EOs in 1 tablespoon carrier oil of your liking before adding them to your bath tub. This will give your bath an added moisturizing effect and protect your sensitive skin.
ORAL APPLICATION
Many essential oils can be ingested by the mouth; however, it is critical to make sure that the oils you use are safe and pure. Many oils on the market may be diluted or blended with synthetics that are unsafe for ingesting. The Food and Drug Administration has approved some essential oils generically for internal use and given them the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) designation for human consumption.
** Warning ** Consult your doctor before using essential oils.