Aromatherapy for Anxiety Relief

December 22, 2022 By zenonashine

Aromatherapy is an increasingly popular alternative therapy to reduce stress and anxiety. By inhaling essential oils or applying them directly to the skin, aromatherapy can induce a sense of relaxation and calm that can be beneficial for those struggling with anxiety.

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy for Anxiety Relief -  essential-oil

Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that utilises essential oils and other aromatic compounds from natural sources with the purpose of improving a person’s mental and physical health. The oils are usually either inhaled directly or applied to the skin, although there are many methods by which aromatherapy can be administered.

Aromatherapy uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being. It can be used to treat physical, emotional, and psychological conditions. Aromatherapy is believed to work by stimulating the limbic system, which is the part of the brain that controls emotions and influences the nervous system.

The benefits of aromatherapy include relaxation, improved mood, reduced stress and anxiety, improved sleep, improved concentration, and relief from headaches, muscle pain, and other physical ailments. Aromatherapy can also be used to enhance spiritual practices such as meditation and yoga.

Determine If Aromatherapy Is Right For You

To determine if aromatherapy is right for you, consider your current health condition and lifestyle. If you are dealing with chronic pain or stress, aromatherapy may be beneficial in helping you manage your symptoms.Additionally, if you are looking for a natural way to relax and reduce stress, aromatherapy may be the right choice for you. However, it is important to consult with your doctor before trying any new form of treatment.

Why Use Essential Oils For Anxiety Relief

Certain essential oils have calming effects on the body. These essential oils contain compounds called terpenes, which are responsible for the aroma of the oil. When inhaled, these terpenes interact with the olfactory receptors in the nose, sending signals to the brain that can help reduce stress and anxiety.

A study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research found that inhaling lavender essential oil reduced anxiety levels in participants with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Another study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that bergamot essential oil reduced anxiety and depression in participants with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Finally, a study published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that chamomile essential oil helped reduce anxiety levels in participants with GAD.

Top Essential Oils for Anxiety Relief

There are many essential oils that have been used in aromatherapy for their calming and relaxing qualities. These include lavender, bergamot, chamomile, jasmine, patchouli, sandalwood, and ylang-ylang.

Each oil has its own unique scent and brings with it different therapeutic benefits.

1. Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular and versatile oils used in aromatherapy. It has a calming, relaxing effect that can help reduce stress and anxiety. Lavender essential oil has been studied for its potential to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality. Studies have found that lavender oil can help reduce symptoms of anxiety, such as restlessness, nervousness, and irritability.

2. Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil has a refreshing, minty aroma that can help to energise and invigorate the mind and body. It also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help to soothe sore muscles and joints.

3. Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil has a strong, camphorous aroma that can help to clear the airways and promote easy breathing. It is also known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to relieve congestion and reduce inflammation.

4. Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree essential oil has a fresh, earthy aroma that can help to purify the air and promote mental clarity. It is also known for its antiseptic and anti-fungal properties, which can help to treat skin conditions such as acne and athlete’s foot.

5. Rosemary

Rosemary essential oil has a woody, herbal aroma that is stimulating and energizing. It can be used to help improve concentration, reduce stress, and boost mood. Rosemary oil is also known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great choice for treating skin conditions like acne and eczema.

6. Bergamot Essential Oil

Bergamot is known for its uplifting properties which can help reduce stress and anxiety levels. Bergamot essential oil is a type of essential oil derived from the rind of the bergamot orange, a citrus fruit native to Italy. The oil has a sweet, citrusy aroma and is used in aromatherapy and perfumery. It is also believed to have antiseptic, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Bergamot essential oil can be used to treat skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. It can also be used to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and promote relaxation.

7. Chamomile Essential Oil

Chamomile essential oil is a natural oil extracted from the flowers of the chamomile plant. It has a sweet, herbaceous aroma and is known for its calming and soothing properties. It can be used to reduce stress, anxiety, and insomnia, as well as to help with digestive issues such as indigestion, nausea, and vomiting. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, making it a great choice for skin care.

8. Jasmine essential oil

Jasmine essential oil is an aromatic oil derived from the flowers of the jasmine plant. It has a sweet, floral scent and is used in aromatherapy to help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also be used as a natural perfume or added to skincare products for its moisturizing and anti-aging benefits. Jasmine essential oil is known to have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and aphrodisiac properties.

9. Patchouli Essential oil

Patchouli essential oil is a type of essential oil derived from the leaves of the patchouli plant, which is native to tropical regions of Asia. It has a strong, musky scent that many people find comforting and relaxing. Patchouli essential oil is often used in aromatherapy and massage therapy to help reduce stress and anxiety, as well as to improve mood and promote relaxation.

10. Sandalwood Essential oil

Sandalwood essential oil is an essential oil derived from the wood of Santalum album, a species of tree native to India. It has a sweet, woody aroma and is used in aromatherapy and perfumery. Sandalwood essential oil is believed to have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, and sedative properties. It is also used to treat skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Sandalwood essential oil can be used in massage oils, bath oils, diffusers, and lotions.

11. Ylang-ylang Essential oil

Ylang-ylang essential oil is a sweet, floral-scented oil derived from the flowers of the ylang-ylang tree. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and aromatherapy to treat a variety of ailments, including depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Ylang-ylang essential oil is also believed to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a popular ingredient in natural skin care products.

12. Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense essential oil is a type of essential oil derived from the resin of the Boswellia tree. It has a sweet, woody aroma and is used for its many health benefits, including reducing inflammation, boosting immunity, improving skin health, and aiding in relaxation. It can be used in aromatherapy, massage therapy, or topical applications.

13. Cedarwood Essential Oil

Cedarwood essential oil is extracted from the wood of cedar trees and has a warm, woody aroma. It is known for its calming and grounding effects, making it a popular choice for aromatherapy. Cedarwood essential oil can be used to help reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and promote relaxation. It can also be used to treat skin conditions such as acne.

14. Mandarin Orange Essential Oil

Mandarin orange essential oil is a type of essential oil derived from the peel of the mandarin orange. It has a sweet, citrusy aroma and is used in aromatherapy for its calming and uplifting effects. Mandarin orange essential oil can also be used to help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It may also help improve digestion, boost immunity, and promote healthy skin. Additionally, mandarin orange essential oil can be used in cleaning products and cosmetics.

15. Palmarosa Essential Oil

Palmarosa essential oil is a type of essential oil derived from the grassy plant Cymbopogon martinii. It has a sweet, floral aroma and is used in aromatherapy for its calming and uplifting effects. Palmarosa essential oil can also be used topically to help treat skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. It can also be used in massage oils and lotions to help relax the body and mind.

16. Clary Sage Essential Oil

Clary sage essential oil is a natural oil extracted from the leaves and flowers of the clary sage plant. It has a sweet, nutty, herbaceous aroma and is used in aromatherapy for its calming and relaxing properties. Clary sage essential oil can be used to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, headaches, muscle tension, and menstrual cramps. It can also be used to improve digestion, boost the immune system, and reduce inflammation. Clary sage essential oil is also known for its ability to balance hormones and regulate the menstrual cycle.

17. Vetiver Essential Oil

Vetiver oil is an essential oil derived from the roots of the vetiver plant. It has a strong, earthy aroma and is used in aromatherapy for its calming and grounding effects. is also used in perfumes and cosmetics due to its pleasant scent. It is known to have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and insecticidal properties, making it useful for treating skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Vetiver oil is also used to treat anxiety, stress, insomnia, and depression.

Top 5 Therapeutic Oil Blends For Anxiety Relief

Sometimes a combination of two or more essential oils works best in reducing stress. When we mix two or more oils together we call them Oil Blends. Given below are some popular oil blends for anxiety relief.

1. Lavender and Bergamot

This blend of essential oils is known to help reduce stress and anxiety. The calming scent of lavender helps to relax the mind while bergamot has an uplifting effect that can help to ease tension.

2. Clary Sage and Ylang Ylang

This combination of essential oils is known for its calming effects on the body and mind. Clary sage helps to reduce stress and anxiety while ylang ylang has a calming effect that can help to promote relaxation.

3. Rosemary and Peppermint

This blend of essential oils is known for its energizing effects on the body and mind. The stimulating scent of rosemary helps to increase alertness while peppermint has an uplifting effect that can help to improve focus and concentration.

4. Chamomile and Lavender

This combination of essential oils is known for its calming effects on the body and mind. The soothing scent of chamomile helps to reduce stress and anxiety while lavender has a calming effect that can help to promote relaxation.

5. Lemon and Eucalyptus

This blend of essential oils is known for its energizing effects on the body and mind. The refreshing scent of lemon helps to increase alertness while eucalyptus has an uplifting effect that can help to improve focus and concentration.

How to Use Essential Oils

There are several ways to use essential oils for relaxation and anxiety relief. The most common administration routes are inhalation, topical application, and ingestion.

Inhalation

One of the simplest and most popular ways is through aromatherapy, which is when you inhale the scent of an oil or blend of oils. This can be done through a diffuser, candles, perfume/cologne, facial sprays, massage oils, or simply by directly smelling the bottle.

Topical Application

Essential oils can also be applied topically with lotions or diluted in carrier oils such as coconut oil or jojoba oil. Topical application of essential oil includes massage, compresses, baths, and direct application. Topical application is beneficial for skin care, muscle pain relief, and other physical ailments.

Ingestion

Essential oils can also be ingested in small amounts. This is typically done by adding a few drops to water or other beverages. It can also be used as a flavoring agent in cooking and baking. Ingestion is beneficial for digestive issues, immune support, and overall health.

Other Methods

Other methods of using essential oils for relaxation and anxiety relief include taking baths with essential oil blends, adding a few drops to your pillowcase or sheets, and using them in DIY projects such as making candles or soaps.

Additionally, some people find that using essential oils in their yoga practice or meditation helps them to relax and reduce anxiety.

Safety Considerations With Aromatherapy

It’s important to be aware of the safety considerations when using essential oils in aromatherapy.

  1. Dilute essential oils before use: Essential oils are highly concentrated and should be diluted with a carrier oil such as jojoba, coconut, or almond oil before applying to the skin.
  2. Do a patch test: Before using an essential oil for the first time, do a patch test on your skin to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction.
  3. Use caution when using on children: Essential oils should be used with caution on children and only after consulting a qualified aromatherapist or healthcare provider
  4. Store essential oils properly: Essential oils should be stored in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight to preserve their therapeutic properties.
  5. Keep out of reach of pets and children: Some essential oils can be toxic to pets and children if ingested, so keep them out of reach.
  6. Discontinue use if it causes allergy: Aromatherapy can be off-putting for some people, and if it causes an allergic reaction, it might be wise to discontinue use.
  7. Use caution when using around pregnant women: Certain essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy, so consult a qualified aromatherapist or healthcare provider before using any essential oil while pregnant.

Combining Aromatherapy with Other Treatments

Combining aromatherapy with other therapeutic treatments can be very effective. For example, aromatherapy can be used in conjunction with mental health therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Research has also found that combining aromatherapy and acupuncture may help reduce anxiety levels in people with depression.

It’s important to talk to a qualified health practitioner about your individual case before using any treatments.

Anupriya is an Alternative Educator, Holistic Healing Trainer, Trance Medium and now an Author who has mastered many different healing and teaching modalities. She has worked in La Wisdom Alternative Learning Center in Bangalore for 2 years. She has educated children and parents on varied topics like emotional awareness, casteism in india, team work, career choices and addiction awareness etc. She continues to intrigue the minds of young people with her logical and experimental approach. Having gone through her own painful spiritual journey, she also learnt every healing modality that she could get her hands on. She has been training people in – Meditations, Reiki Energy Healing, Emotional Freedom technique, different forms of Acupressure and Reflexology, Ayurvedic Colour Therapy, Sujok, Naturopathy, Bach Flower Remedies, Chakra Healing, Angel Healing and Pendulum Dowsing etc from past 5 years. She has also developed faster healing methods for trauma and abuse victims using various guided meditations, creative visualisations and breathwork. Her faster methods work best with working professionals who have little to no time for themselves and children who have no patience as she teaches very quick tips and tricks to recover from painful circumstances. She also offers longer ‘energy and consciousness’ courses for adults, teenagers and children who wish to awaken a deeper human and spiritual awareness within them.

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