5 Essential Oils for Anxiety
Table of Contents
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is that feeling of not being able to catch your breath, feeling like you are frustrated and don’t know why. This feeling of anxiousness can occur from an event or it could come from an imbalance in your body. Either way, it can be very hard to deal with and it can not only affect you but also those around you. This is why using essential oils for anxiety can be an effective, natural ailment.
Some of the symptoms include:
- shortness of breath
- feeling sweaty or clammy
- insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- lack of energy
- constant fear and worry
- digestive issues
- skin disorders
- blood sugar imbalance
What are Essential Oils?
They are “a natural oil typically obtained by distillation and having the characteristic fragrance of the plant or other source from which it is extracted.”(dictionary.com)
Firstly, the oils are very potent and only require a few drops, in order to provide healing. In combination with carrier oils, they can be applied topically.
The use of essential oils for healing properties is called “aromatherapy.”
In other words, these oils have calming, energizing, and even immune-boosting effects (depending on which plant). Above all, they are very concentrated oils used to provide numerous health benefits.
These oils are applied topically, taken orally (if the product says it is for human consumption) or they can be used for natural home remedies.
What makes these oils essential?
They give off the aroma of the plant they come from to provide healing properties.
Essential Oils for Anxiety
Lavender is a well-known essential oil known for its calming effects and the ability to even put you to sleep. “It has a long history of use to boost appetite and mood, as well as relieve gastrointestinal problems and anxiety.” (pubmed.gov)
Likewise, it is used as a “dietary supplement for anxiety, depression, intestinal problems, and pain. People also apply it to the skin for hair loss, pain, and for improving emotional health. You may also inhale a lavender vapor to help sleep, to reduce pain, and for agitation related to dementia.” (pubmed.gov) Lavender has a very earthy smell and is a beautiful purple flower.
Lemon’s Positive Mood-Boosting Effects
Lemon essential oil has been shown to boost mood and provide an energizing effect when inhaled. “Tests showed that lemon scent had a positive effect on mood regardless of expectancies or previous use of aromatherapy.” (nccih.nih.gov)
Lemon is obviously a tart, yet sweet scent and can be combined with lavender to get the mood-boosting and relaxing effects.
Orange You Glad You Read This Blog Post?
Maybe not after that lame question. In addition, another citrus fruit has been studied in the effect it has on women in labor. Which is absolutely incredible for us momma’s to be! “Aromatherapy is a noninvasive and effective method to help women overcome their anxiety during labor. Orange scent can be useful in childbirth units to help women who are experiencing stress in labor.” (pubmed.gov)
Orange obviously has a tart citrusy smell also but is a little sweeter and lighter than lemon and works wonders combined with vanilla essential oil!
Yummy Vanilla
Next, the sweet aroma of vanilla can help to boost mood and even fight infections. Vanilla’s scent is so light, it often requires a few drops in order to be able to smell it as easily.
Peppermint For Headaches
Peppermint inhaled in addition to applied topically to the temples (as far from the eyes as possible), can help relieve headaches. Put 1-2 drops on each temple and you will begin to feel a very cooling feeling and it will help ease tension. Since it contains menthol it is great to use on muscles for aches and pains also.
Cinnamon is not only great in sangria!
It helps to relieve muscle pain and provides a very sweet and spicy aroma. It can get you going in bed by stimulating libido, boost circulation which can provide a great detox and more energy. Most importantly, cinnamon is warm and grounding. It helps aid in the improvement of depression.
Aromatherapy Tips
- Essential oils are put in a diffuser which creates a steady mist from oil and water. You can plug one in by your bed and put a few drops of lavender and vanilla in and sleep with it plugged in. The diffuser I have just shuts off after it runs out of water and can last around 2 hours typically.
Use a diffuser to mist the aroma around the room.
- Go with brands you know or do a patch test on your skin or sniff a few brands before committing to a brand.
- Purchase some carrier oils if you plan to use them topically like with a lotion for sore muscles.
Carrier oils include oils like:
To sum up, these oils are more of a fatty consistency than the essential oils are and these are better for moisturizing. In addition, keeping the essential oils from being too potent on the skin.
Aromatherapy Recipes
Add a few more drops if you are adding to a diffuser as the ratio to water may impact the overall scent. After that, start the diffuser and let it run for at least a minute before adding in more oils. In order to see if the scent is strong enough for your needs.
Lavender Relaxation
- 5 drops of vanilla
- 2 drops of lavender
Add to a diffuser or underneath your pillow at night to help you relax easier and fall asleep.
Orange Dreamsicle
- 5 drops of vanilla
- 3 drops of orange
Add to a bath in the morning to boost your mood and energy and start your day feeling refreshed. Add in some lemon to help with more energy and stimulate your body to get ready for the day.
Sweet Sangria
- 3 drops of cinnamon essential oil
- 2 drops of orange essential oil
- 5 drops of vanilla essential oil
Undoubtedly, this one is my personal favorite. With the sweet vanilla, sweet and tangy orange, and the slightly spicy, yet stimulating cinnamon. This would be great in a diffuser next to you. Moreover, use it while you are working at your desk, to keep you from falling asleep.
For example, you apply it on your wrist in a lower dosage with a carrier oil. You would take deep breaths in your nose when using essential oils for anxiety and put your wrist up to your nose to inhale the aroma. Close your eyes and breath this scent in deeply 5 times every few minutes.
Repeat these steps to get the most out of your non-alcoholic sangria you can take to work with you!
Where to Buy Essential Oils for Anxiety
For example, Amazon, of course, has many options. But, some brands I recommend are Aura Cacia, or my favorite, art naturals. I personally have never tried Young Living or Doterra, the two most common MLM Brands of essential oils.
If you read this far and enjoyed this article feel free to share it on social media!
Extra Resources/Credits
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_oil
https://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/blog/products/all-about-cinnamon-oil.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4700683/
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/lavender
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4700683/
Originally posted 2019-12-30 14:32:26.
Megan Santiago
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